Evening star., 1923-12-02

Many Railway Bills.
There will be deluge of bills re-
lating to the railways. Many will
provide for the repeal Of various
sections of the Esch- -Cummins trans
portation act, including that estab-
fishing the Railroad Labor Board.
Still others will provide for strength
ening the labor board and for bring
ing about consultations Of the va
rious railroad systems to effect great
er efficiency and economy of opera
tion. The demands from shippers
particularly the farmers. that there
be reduction in freight rates is at
peal OF some parts of the transpor-
tation act.
The merchant marine is knocking
at the door Of Congress and demand
ing attention. Efforts to put through
government aid bill at the last ses-
sion of Congress failed, although it
had the strong backing of the late
President Harding. The complexion
or the new Congress is believed TO be
less favorable to such a measure than
the last. But there is strong de-
mand that the American merchant
marine be maintained. both as an aid
TO American producers and importers
and as measure of national defense.
Efforts will be made to arrive at
some definite policy. Chairman Ed
ward p. Farley OF the United States
Shipping Board. who has recently re-
turned from Europe, where he made
survey of conditions affecting the
boards organization and of prospects
submitted his recommendations to the
President. The administration is eX
pected to formulate q bill for sub
mission to Congress.
Jones to Present Bill.
Senator Jones of Washington. chair
man of the committee on commerce,
will offer this bill In the Senate in all
probability and it will likely be in
troduced In the House by Representa-
tive Edmonds of Pennsylvania, who
has given much study to the subject.
1t is expected that such legislation
Will seek more efficient operation of
the government-owned feet. There
quarters that the administration of
the fleet should be placed under one
man-probably the president Of the
fleet corporatfon-rather than under
the Shipping Board. consisting of
seven members. each with a vote as
potential as that Of any other mem
ber of the board.
Legislation relating to the coal in
dustry is In prospect. The report of
the United States Coal Commission
and the recommendations of that
body Will be before Congress. Efforts
to prevent fuel famines and ex-
orbftant prices will be made.
Plan for Reorganization.
The plan for the reorganization of
the executive departments Of the
government. drafted by the joint
congressional committee headed by
walter Brown. as representative Of
the President, will be before Con-
gress. This plan Is designed to bring
about greater efficiency and co-ordi-
nation. One Of its recommends tons
is that the prohibition enforcement
agency be transferred from the
treasury Department to the Depart
ment of Justice.
Immigration will be given consider
alton by the Congress. Secretary
Davis of the Department of Labor
will put forward his proposed bill,
with Wi the app3rovai of the President
country and for examination Of immi-
grants before they come to this
country. Immigrant running has be-
come almost as extensive an evil as
grafton forces are greatly needed to
prevent this violation Of the laws
Many important matters affecting
the District of Columbia must be
handled by Congress, too. Among
trict be granted national representa-
ton SO that residents Of the Capital
may vote for presidential and vice
presidential electors and for senator's
and representatives in Congress: a
street railway merger; gasoline tax
to bring about reciprocity between
the District and Maryland in the
matter Of automobile licenses; addi-
tional school buildings, in creased pay
for the teachers and a more strin-
gent school attendance law; permis-
sion for the District to use the near
Y s5,O9o,ooo Of surplus revenues Of
treasury, and found to belong to the
District by a joint congressional COM
mittee in the last Congress; and ex-
tension of the park and playground
system OF the District.
Garrett Named Leader.
After voting unanimously to sup
port Representative Garrett for
speaker which action means that he
will continue as minority floor lead
er. the caucus of House democrats
last night got into a wrangle over q
proposal by Representative Steven
son of South Carolina to change the
manner of appointment of democrats
to standing committees.
The South Carolina representative
proposed that instead of committee
appointments being made, as here
tofore, by the democratic members
OF the ways and means committee,
this power be vested In a minority
committee on committees. The pro-
posal resulted in a lengthy discussion.
The Stevenson proposal finally was
shortly afterward.
At the outset of the meeting. Rep
Posootottvo Henry T. Rainey Of I'LL.