San Antonio light. [volume] (San Antonio, Tex.) 1911-1993, 1923-03-12
resident Does Not Want
Extra Session But May
Be Forced.
DEMOCRATS WANT IT
70 Do Progressives With
in the Republi-
can Ranks. -
Washington. d. c.. March 12.-Al

W
though no one questions President
1arding's desire and determination
hat Congress shall not be called in
xtra session. trained observers IN
Washington doubt the probability Of
eferring the meeting of that body
ntil next December.
1t is pointed out that it has been
ssA since Congress LES been in re-
ess for so long a period and that
ven if the situation in Europe does
lot develop a crisis a tremendous
Propaganda will be started before
bng by many divergent interests each
demanding some sort of legislation or
mother.
IL this demand for an extra session
Tere to come only from the Demo
rats or the Progressive wing of the
Republican party it is doubtful II
resident Harding would give heed.
ut it is fairly certain the voices of
is friends will help swell the chorus
nd it is not altogether certain that
|arty strategy will not call for a
ession Of Congress next fall. Thus
hen he declared there would be no
pecial session possibly President
Harding had his fingers crossed.
Democrats Want Session.
IL stands to reason that the Demo-
rats will want Congress in session
pr the acts either of commission or
mission on the part of that body
lake the record on which the next
ampaign will be pitched. Then the
Progressive Republicans, particular
Of the Senate, feel they have a
hission to perform and this can be
accomplished through the enactment
( what they term remedial legisla-
ion." Thus it may happen that be-
pre- long the Middle West and North
Fest, where the Progressives are
trongest, will be demanding an extra
ession of Congress to force n reduc-
on in railroad rates or some SINH
hr project.
Within the party, however, and
mong the friends of the administra-
ion there are many who feel it
hight be we'll to have an extra ses-
ion called about the middle of DC
ober so that a real legislative pro-
ram might be carried through before
pring. It is pointed out that 1924
presidential year, with primaries
% be held as early as April in some
tates, and that it will be hard TO
eep Congress in session when the
Members will feel they should be out
h their districts or states battling
or their political existence.
L. Won't Have Time.
Moreover, II is held that unless
his extra session is called President
Harding will be forced to assume the
Responsibility for the failure Of Con-
ress next winter to pass such legis-
hilton as the various sections of the
|cuntry may deem necessary. If it
)oes not meet until December, Con-
ress will consume most Of the time
between that date and the spring ad-
ournment in drafting the appropria-
ion bills, and. probably. will do lit
lie else. However, should the party
eem it expedient to put through
ONE measure calculated TO afford re-
lief for some general distress there
would not be sufficient time after the
laws became operative and before the
Election for the country to know
Whether it would accomplish the end
r not. As an illustration it is urged
Sy these Republicans that the near
Democratic landslide last fall was at
|ributable in large part to the fact
hat Congress had just passed n new
|ariff bill and that the country re-
cted to fears founded on Democratic
brophesies.
Thus, before many months Presi-
ient Harding will be the storm cen-
Ter of an extra session controversy.
He may escape part of it by going
10 Alaska but the moment he returns
{ will be renewed and then there is
SlWays the danger that n new con-
Migration will sweep Europe and
That q situation will arise with which
congress alone has the power to deal.