The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1924-01-07
HAS.
PLANS IN
SHAPE
Committees Busy on Import
ant Observation-Disclosures
in Senate Continues.
BY WILLIAM X. HUTCHINSON,
International News Service.


International News Service.
The Sixty-eighth Congress en-
tered it's sixth week today with
prospects of at last getting down
to business.
For five weeks a series of
party fights, insurgent deadlocks
and recesses prevented either
branch from functioning for other
than oratorical purposes. Instead
of further delays, today's session
saw the Legislative mill finally in
operation. Committees met at
both ends of the Capitol for the
consideration of legislation, and
leaders of all factions were
agreed on a campaign of action.
House Down To Work.
The House was stripped for busi-
ness. Several committees were in
session and the great appropriation
olIls' necessary to provide funds for
running the Government, were grad
uaIly being whipped into form. The
Ilrst or these, it was said, will reach
the floor OF the House for final
actlon before the end Of the weel
Although House leaders were
primarily concerned with tax legis
Iatlon, because of the possibility Of
protracted party fight, three other
major subjects were given serious
consideration. These were the
bonus bill. disposition Of the Gov.
eminent project at Muscle Shoals,
Ala, and a proposed investigation
Of the Philippine administration of
General Leonard Wood, with side
lights on the financial careers Of
his sons. 1t was said all three sub
jects would be given initial hearings
before House committees within the
next ten days.
Senate Still DeadIOcked.
In the Senate. the situation was
slightly less optimistic because of
the deadlock over election of a.
chairman for the Interstate Com
merce Committee. During the com
ing week, it was announced by
administration leaders, Senate com
m1ttees will launch three major sub
jects on separate legislative careers.
These will be proposed legislative
relief for agricultural distress, an
investigation into alleged irregular
tiles in the election Of Senator
Earle B. Mayfield Oem.) of Texas,
and thorough discussion of the
question of American recognition of
Russia.
Farm relief was discussed ct Q.
meeting of the Senate Agricultural
Committee this morning. This was
the first step taken in the Senate
toward enacting new farm legisla-
ton. Although a wide divergence
of opinion developed over what sort
Of relief would help the situation,
it at least broke the ice.
Mayfield a Big Issue.
The Mayfield case, which prom
ises to become an even greater
issue than the Newberry case, will
get its first hearing tomorrow when
the Senate Committee on Privileges
and Elections will meet to decide
on trial rules. Public sessions may
be started later in the week.
The subject of Soviet recognition.
which was debated in the Senate
A0A hAG LILO dclyS VIII ASCClNO IuBIHGE
consideration from the Senate For
eign Relations Committee tomor-
row or Wednesday. At this SEES.
sion, the committee will decide
whether public hearings viii be
held on the Borah resolution favor
ing recognition.
One dark spot in the Senate out.
look was the row over a. chairman
for the Interstate Commerce Com.
mittee. Although twenty-seven bal
lots have been taken before today's
session, there was small hope for
an immediate settlement.
Leaders At Odds.
Leaders of the regular and in.
surgent Republican groups. it was
learned, were anxious for peace
and ready to compromise but each
has thus far rejected the others
peace proposal. There was a DOG.
sibility of settlement before the
end Of the week.
With this row quieted, the Sixty
eighth Congress will be in fun
legislative swing.