The Birmingham age-herald., 1923-12-25
COSTLY CONGRESS ME RELY WRANCLED
Compromise In House And Deadlock in Senate Alone
 Only Accomplishments
WASHINGTON BUREAU THE AGE-HERALD


 The Congress came, saw was seen, and was conqured. It has gone again to return the first week in January.
 The House, after wrangling for two weeks, succeeded in organizing only by compromising with an inde- pendent group of republicans no more than a score in number The Senate, holding that the President pro tempore was elected the last ses- sion to serve until his successor was elected, regarded itself as organized, although its sole point in dispute, the election of chairman of one of the important standing committees, as still in dispute,
 The sitting of the Congress cost a pretty penny, $30000s sum cited by Senator J. Thomas Heflin of Ala bama. being modest. When mileage, and requisites and clerk hire and stationery are added to salary the total might approximate SlO0,O 900. The confirmation of several appoint xents, postmaster and others, repre- sents tho entire achievement
 In view of the fact that a group of so-called radicals" hold the balance Of power in both Houses of Congress, and up to the present by the exertion of it's power, and )ility to withstand criticism had succeeded in ham stringing Congress, the preliminary
 
 entire session will be, it is indicated
 The radicals" differed from the s,reactionaries" in the personnel of propo1- presiding officers, and in the rules to govern tie deliberations. On such differences. tne two factions went to the mat repeatedly. In con- sequence nothing was done.
 In matters of legislation, all legis- 1ation, in fact, which will come be- fore Congress next year, the "radi- calls" and the "reactienaries" will differ. They will repeatedly go to the mat. Few members of Congress, when talking privately, will deny that the session, at the outset, ap- pears hopeless.
 Add to the general chaos, the nov ing fact that next year will witness a presidential campaign. Everything done or left Undone even every posi- ton or attitude assumed by Congress, Will hay it's reflection in the cam - pa:gn, and to the extent of it's in- fluence, will result in the election and defeat of candidates.
 Congress will be exceedingly wary, place each faction will strenuously try to put the other in the hole of despair"
 President Coolidge, it is indicated, will not be able to present a record of achievement. He will be able to Srys HOW GAelj IudL HG NOu1u nave done this or that meritorio $ .----4Ss, but for opposition ct the capitol.
 Dramatic leaCars profess to see an opportunity for the democratic party in the situation Ion the hill" They declare it will be made plain to the people that republicans, unable to agree among themselves, were in fact, incompetc It to run the gov %ernment
 And there is another possibility. democratic leaders declare, By unit ing with radical Is" they could de- feat all attempted "standpat" legis- iation, and send to the President legislation more ir attune with popu- lar sentiment. But they could not maint iN such legislation as again [ veto.
 There are two arguments used arainst a fusion of democrats and sradicals.p The latter are regarded by democra as bad company" And. secondly, for some "standpat'' leCislatior the people 70 unm.s- lon tax reduction schedule, for in- stance.