Evening star., 1923-12-02
CONGRESS OPENS
:. TOMORROW WITH
. STIRRING OUTLOOK
Vital Measures Face Uncer-
tain Fate Without Real
Working Majority.
DISTRICT BILLS SHARE
ROUGH-RIDING PROSPECT
Tax Cut, Bonus, Treaties, Rails,
Ships Chief Issues in Pre-
Election Tactics.

The Sixty-eighth Congress will be
rshered in at noon tomorrow-some
thirteen months after it's election.
Few Congresses in time of peace have
been faced with the need of enacting
more important legislation, and few
have had less prospect Of accomplish
ment, due to the fact that the party
in power has no real working ma
jority.
The republicans ostensibly are in
control of both houses, but in the
Senate and in the House groups of
so-called progressives have been
formed, which in reality hold the bal
ance of power. Under these condi-
tions it will be difficult to get ad-
ministration or any other measures
through.
See Political Maneuvcring.
With national election in the Off
Ing, however, and all parties-re-
publicans. near republicans, demo-
Gratis and farmer-laborites-all jock
eying for an advantage, plenty of
conversation in both houses may be
expected.
Outstanding among the issues de-
manding legislative attention are
transportation, both on land and sea;
the coal industry, taxation, soldiers
adjusted compensation, reorganiza-
tion of the executive departments of
the government, immigration, public
works, including public buildings;
river and harbor improvements and
reclamation projects and the final dis.
position of Muscle Shoals power
project.
Treaties Coming Up.
Foreign relations will demand the
attention more particularly of the
Senate, which, under the Constitution,
must pass upon all treaties and pro-
tocols negotiated by the President:
The league of nations issue, which
figured so largely in the campaign
nearly four years ago. will not be re-
vived with the approval of either of
the major parties. it seems, al
though there are many republicans
who would like to see their demo-
cratic opponents undertake again to
support a proposal that this country
join the league.
But the protocol providing for ad
herence of the United States to the
International Court of Justice-com-
monty called the world court and by
fits enemies the league court" since
the court was fathered by the league
lis before the Senate foreign rela-
fn- otto Tr1 ht
edly there will be efforts in many
quarters to get favorable action on
this procotol, and at least one Of the
candidates for the republican nom
ination for President, Senator John
son of California, is seeking to make
the World Court a great issue in the
pre-convention campaign.
Searching Rum Ships.
The rum treaty-authorizing the
United States to search within twelve
miles of the coast vessels believed to
be rum -runners-is expected to come
before the Senate for action, pro-
vided 1t is finally negotiated with
Great Britain.
Still another matter touching the
foreign relations of the United States
which is likely to be agitated is the
recognition of Russia The Harding
administration stood strongly against
such recognition until the Russian
government should give assurance
that 1t would recognize its interna-
tional obligations and cease efforts to
undermine governments Of other
countries ostensibly at peace with
Russia, and the Coolidge administra-
tion may be expected to follow the
same course.
Numerous measures for reduction of
federal taxation will be introduced,
especially since the statement by Sec
retary Mellon that a reduction In
taxes could safely be made. Tax re-
duction is popular-but there will be
many different proposals ranging
from the administration bill based on
the Mellon plan to plans advanced by
the progressives. which will seek to
maintain excess profits taxes and high
surtaxes, while reductions are made
in the taxes on small incomes.
Bonus Important Issue.
The American Legion had prepared
the ways for a smooth launching of
the soldiers adjusted compensation
or bonus bill. But Secretary Mellon
threw a monkey wrench into the ma
chinery with his proposal that there
be q big reduction in taxes. It is
difficult to see how taxes can be re-
duced greatly and at tho same time a
soldiers bonus running into hundreds
Of millions OF dollars can be paid.
Senator Hiram Johnson has asserted
that this can be done. but a great
majority OF the people have learned
that it Is not possible to have your
cake and eat It, too.
The soldiers bonus bill may COM
mand substantial majority in both
houses. Whether 1t could command
the necessary two thirds vote to pass
it over presidential veto-if that
is Forthcoming in view of the ever
increasing demand for a reduction of
taxes-remains to be seen. Before
Secretary Melons strategic move the
supporters of the bonus were conf
dent that they could muster enough
CONTINUED sa Page 4, Column 81