Milford chronicle., 1924-11-14
OUR WASHINGTON LETTER
By National Editorial Association
Special to Milford Chronicle


4 in Washington these days with the post-electiOl
excitement fading out. Two questions are ap
parently uppermOst in the minds of the coun
try. What will the present Congress do in it,
last session which begins next month";" anC
"Will the President by virtue of his tremendous
personal victory at the polls, be sufficiently
strong to obtain favorable action by the next
Congress, to warrant the enactment of Admins
tration policies?" Obviously, the queries are
related for the activities of the Congress just
elected will be largely influenced by the dOings
or misdoings of the expiring legislative assem-
bly,.
From reliable sources, it is learned that Mr..
Coolidge intends to bring changes in an orderly
manner. There is no doubt but the election re-
turns increased his personal prestige and to that
extent gave him commission from the Amer
ican people. Whether his influence as the chief
executive will be Of such proportions to make
Congress tractable is solely a matter of conjec-
ture Nobody knows but there is no shortage of
speculation. At present, the records of the vic
tors for congressional honOTs are being closely
examined to determine their position on matters
which must inevitably come to their attention in
their new jobs. On the face of current election
statistics, the Republicans are assured of a ma
jority in the House and smaller majority in the
Senate. A non-partisan study will show that |
these balances of power, as claimed for the new |
Congress, are classified as paper" majorities.
The history of recent legislative assemblies is
such to bring reasonable doubts as to the plas-
tic condition of the newcomers.
It will be necessary to select new leaders for
the majority in the Senate and House. The cleo
Of 1ofo
achusetts uncovers a contest for this post be-
tween Nicholas Longworth, present Republican
floor leader and Martin B. Madden, of Illinois,
chairman of the House Appropriations Commit
tee, the most important committee of the Con-
gress. Mr.. Madden's long service in the House
has stamped him as the one authority on the
business side of the Government
1t is limited that Mr.. Hughes may retire as
of State next spring and resume his
egal practice. Mention is made of Charles w.
Warren of Michigan, formerly ambassador to
Mexico and Japan, and temporary chairman of
he Republican national convention which nom
mated Mr.. Coolidge, as a successor to the Sec
etary of State There is also possibility that
Ir Hughes may be elevated to the post as Chief
Justice of the U. S. Supreme Court as Mr. Taft's
has been predicted on account of i'll
ealth. Two other vacancies are anticipated in
he Supreme Court as Associate Justices Holmes
nd McKenna are long passed the retirement
ge It is said that Secretary of the Navy Will
ur would be candidate for one of these posi-
ions as he served for many years as Chief JUS
Ice of the California Supreme Court. Arthur
rentice Rugg, present Chief Justice of Massa-
husetts, and an Amherst graduate, is mentioned
u Mr.. Justice Holmes place.
Strangely enough there are no particularly
ivergent views as to the legislative program of
le December session. 1t is generally conceded
lat there will be no major legislation enacted
the short session which begins December 1,
nd ends March 4, 1925. The time of Congress
ill be taken up almost entirely with appropri-
ion bills for the various government depart
ents The House Committee on appropriations
as already started its hearings on fiscal meas
res for the Treasury and Post Office Depart
ent.
This writer interviewed two of the leading
gislative agents here today. Nathan B. Will
ans representing the manufacturing interests,
,pressed the opinion that efforts to call a
,ecial session of the new Congress would fall
Id that the outgoing Congress would make no
rious attempts to enact legislation of wide
,olidge by such a large popular vote made
ear the complete reversion of the idea which
IS grown on the country for more than forty
ars that Washington may prescribed some
ing in legislative "cure-alls." It was his con-
ntion that the belief in this idea has been
dissipated and recognition given to
e fact that the Government at Washington
mot, no matter which party is in control
axe six years of corn grown where only one
ew before.
Charles B. Holman, one of the leading repre- y
natives for the farm interests, does not an l
ipate any congressional action which would
ect sound agricultural practices. He believes \
at the farm organizations will be very active
IS winter When Congress opens at least four s
Darate factions of farmers will be laboring for
attention. According to Mr.. Holman, another
oblem facing Congress is the disposal Of Mus II
Shoals. The situation has been complicated
the formal withdrawal of Henry FOrd's Of 1
It has not removed the subject from poll u
S, however. Like Mr.. Williams, the spokes-
n for the farmers believes that fiscal legis- In
ion will be the main subjects before the last B
U