The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-06-01
CONGRESS- HALN IN CONFUSION
 AS END WEARS
Leaders Afraid Of Sum- mer Session During
 Campaign
By THOMAS l.. STOKES Bo Leased Wire to The Age -Herald.) }

BQ Leased NlFe tO IHo ABc-ncTaAu.D J
 WASHINGTON, May 31.-There has never been. perhaps, so much con fusion in Congress as to what it wants to do or is going to do than ali the present moment-with six days left be- fore scheduled adjournment. There IS 10 certainty what the next will bring forth.
 Congress is always rushed in the last week of a session, and it Is not always an orderly rush. But this closing time finds no one knowing where to turn. The confusion is typical of the whole are concerned.
 Anxious to Adjourn
 On the one hand are the leaders, anxious to adjourn and confidently hopeful that somehow or other. things will work out so they can close up shop next Saturday night and go home. On the other are those who insist that Congress should have taste of sum mer work in order to fulfill certain legislative desires.
 Insurgent republicans in both House and Senate want railroad legislation and farm relief before they go home, or at least showdown on these measures.
 
 a few republicans.
 Back of al of the play and by-play now going on is considerable politics. And dominating the situation is the saine factor which has run through the whole session-the inability of ad- niinistration leaders to map their course with any certainty because of the insurgent groups which hold the Al of in, hnt
 Made Pledges
 The insurgents came here at the be- ginning of this session pledged to cer- tain accomplishments. Among them were farm relief legislation and rail road measures. They don't want to go back without strong effort to gain their objectives. Because of the legis- lative tangle, they have been unable to get much of hearing for these meas ures. Now they have decided on a last minute stand.
 Administration leaders do not want to let Congress stay in session during the summer while the campaigns are on. There would be too much op- portunity for embarrassing oratOry from the floor as the prediction maneuvers got under way.
 DOfuOCtdUo by
 . Democrats are sitting by quietly and watching the troubles the republicans are having among themselves. Some few democrats are behind the move ment to keep Congress here, having certain pledges to fulfill regarding legislation which the insurgents desire. Some of the others are anxious to get home, looking forward to the coming alA khn s~ raising some political thunder, how ever, they will take advantage of the situation.
 The administration is seriously in a hole. It has desired to appease the demands for farm relief legislation, but that which has been offered has had almost too radical tinge for the ad ministration to swallow. It is strong 1y against the two forms of railroad Legislation for which insurgents are 6ghting-abolition of the railroad labor board and repeal of section 15-A of the transportation act, the so-called Nguarantee clause"
 Business Opposes
 Business interests are strongly against either of these types of legisla- ton, and they have let members of Congress know it. Already dissatis- fled with the tax bill which has been passed, they do not care to have fur ther objectionable legislation enacted at this time.
 Psychological factors may work with those who want to get away
 T think the people are getting tired of this Congress, and want it to go home"
 That is the reaction of a progressive leader who has stood for farm Iegisla- tion. He hope for a showdown on this legislation. but does not think Congress should sit here longer. if nothing can be done before scheduled time for adjournment. He expresses a view which may decide the situa- tion the end of this week.