The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-06-06
WHY CONGRESS DELAYS

Congress is about to adjourn with much of it's duty undone and with many subjects deserving of prompt attention postponed until later. The house has made far better record than the sem ate, and undoubtedly would have made still better record had there not been evidence that it's actions would be futile because of senatorial inactivity. What ever has been done in the senate has been done principally under pressure of the Democratic minority. Tax reduction has been accomplished, the bonus, such as it is, has been enacted, an immigra- ton neasurs to replace the one expiring June 3s0 has been placed on the books, and few lesser statutes have been passed, but on the whole the yecord represents meager return on the supposed delibera- tions, extending over many weeks, of more than five hundred men, most of whom doubtless regard themselves as statesmen. Five good men could have accomplished more with far less ado. Aside from the representative feature, which is fundamental, it is evident that our congress is both too inchoate and too unwieldy.
 In. spite of it's greater number of mem- bers, however, the house of representa- tives has shown the capacity to proceed to legislative decisions with far more expedition than the senate. Nor is there any belief that the house sacrifices pro- fundity for speed. On the contrary, there is as much wisdom displayed in house enactments as in those of the sen- ate. It win be remembered by those who have in any degree kept pace with congressional proceedings that much of the senate delay has been due to block ing tactics employed by committees for the apparent purpose of preventing de- cisions A notable example in which such tactics have been successfully em- ployed is with regard to the Muscle Shoals project. Because of the opposi- ton of the senatorial minority compos- | ing the Muscle Shoals committee the sub ject was delayed by meaningless hear ings until finally the senate has post poned the decision until next December, most unwarranted proceeding.
 The house has found cure for this usurpation of power by committees. Early in the present session the house revised it's rules and made it possible for any measure to be called out of com mittee at any time by majority vote. The house also destroyed the opportunity of a committee chairman to defeat a measure by the pocket veto." As a result, the house has shown a noticeable expedition in obtaining decisions on pending measures. By it's failure like wise to amend it's rules the senate has given proof of the urgent need for such revision. Yet there has been hesitation to proceed to this task because too many senators have felt that the present sit uation may at some time be useful to them to defeat some majority program, or to use a strategic position to force the majority to some legislative trade. This might not be so bad were the trade always one to advantage the public. Un- fortunately, such legislative trades are usually purely political, even if not po- litically pure.
 ] The object is not to get congress to pass more laws than it now passes, but to facilitate decisions, either favorable or adverse, on questions engaging the attention of the nations lawmakers. Promptness in bring questions to vote would shorten legislative sessions and tend to rehabilitate that popular respect for congress which has of late years so sadly declined.