The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-12-29
BAT TIE ON
SHOALS IN
SENATE
~
Fight Over Postal Bill De-
Iayed-Leaders Speed Up
to Avoid Special Session

After q short breathing spell
over Christmas, Congress came
back to work today to unravel the
legislative tangle which for a
month has kept it from passing
any important bills.
To avoid an extra session in
the spring, as desired by Presi-
dent Coolidge, Administration
leaders said they would use the
whip and spurs freely to speed
up action. Thus far not an appro-
priation bill has been passed, al
though three have been sent over
by the House to the Senate.
Three Problems to Solve.
Besides the regular supply bills,
which must be enacted within the
next two months to avoid an extra
session, three perplexing measures
face the Senate. These are Muscle
Shoals, the postal pay veto, and the
postal rate increase bill.
Muscle Shoals again was laid be.
fore the Senate today Even the
most optimistic Administration
chiefs have abandoned hope that it
can be disposed of in less than two
weeks.
During the recess, progressives
have been quietly strengthening
their opposition to the Underwood
bill.
In Administration circles there
has been a. decided development of
sentiment in favor OF turning the
whole question over to a commits
sion for further study and a report
rs to how best the Government cdn
dispose of it's huge power aud
nitrate project.
But until there comes a break in
the opposing ranks prospects for
prompt action admittedly are slim.
Postal Wage Vote.
Not later than January s, the
Senate must vote on President Cool
idge's veto of the postal wage
measure.
After a careful count of noses. All.
ministration leaders predicted they
would have margin of at least Two
votes to sustain the President
In the meantime. the joint Cor
gressional Postal Committee hopes
to bring in report on the Sterling
bill raising postal rates.
Hearings We're resumed today and
Senator Moses (R) of New Hamp-
shire, plans to wind them up by
tomorrow or Wednesday.
On all of these measures there
is wide split in the Senate. Should
they, or other bills, consume too
extended debate, Administration
chiefs said they would move to
give appropriation measures the
right of way to the exclusion Of
everything else.
Minor Bills To Pass.
That would mean that in this
short session, Congress would have
accomplished nothing of Importance
other than passage Of the bills
appropriating funds to run and
maintain the governmental depar,.
nents.
Congress probably will adjourn to.
morrow over the New Year, coming
back Friday and sitting continuous
1y until adjournment on March A.
Senator Curtis of Kansas. Repu5
lican leader, has promised absentees
that there will be no vote on any
important measure until next week.
He plans to use the sessions this
week to pass minor and unobjecte,i
bills on the calendar. The House
will spend it's time on appropria
ton bills, taking up first the
Treasury appropriations.
Bills up in House.
Resuming sessions today from a
recess over the Christmas holidays
since December 20, the House began
consideration Of the $126,911.1 O7
Treasury and the $685., 269. AIS Post.
office Departments appropriation
bill.
1t is planned to pass this bill this
week, an adjournment to be taken
over New Year Day.
The Treasury appropriation is
$I0,733 sos less than for the cur.
rent year, while the Postofflce De.
partment is allowed $22.624.aI9
more than given in the present
fiscal year.
There is an estimated deficit in
eAe Postoffice Department for the
current year of $10,13O, 931. but in.
creased revenues during the next
fiscal year are expected to show
q surplus in operation of about
$1,000, 900.