The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-12-07
PRESS ON SHORT SESSION

PRESS ON SHORT SESSION
 The short session of congress this sea- son finds it's chief excuse in the neces- sity for the passage of appropriation measures deferred by its own neglect. Although there is rarely any visible re- morse in congress over its failures, and indeed little evidence of any congress sional consciousness that it has failed, there is something ludicrous to others in the solemnity with which our chief leg islative body goes about the tasks that should long since have been achieved. It is noticeable that the main congressional comment on the presidents message is an expression of doubt whether his recom- mendations can be carried out at this session. If congress is in doubt, other people are sure that they will not be carried out. However, we have this short session on our hands, and congress will proceed to act the way it does, because, apparently, that is the way congress acts.
 While admitting the necessity for the passage of routine appropriation meas ures, the Baltimore Sun opines: Wide spread desire, manifested throughout the country, to settle down to business, to have opportunity to ascertain how stable fundamental conditions are, whether need
 
 that has been suggested exists longer, should have influence in Washington, prompting congress to businesslike con- sideration of only those things that press for action" Although the Washington Post also believes that 'congress will do it's full duty at this short session If 1t makes provision for the needs of the gov ernment for the coming fiscal year" yet the same newspaper thinks that congress "can and should take one forward step, winch will serve as the basis for future legislation. This is in connection with the coordination and modernizatlon of the national defense. 1nasmuch as ap- populations will be asked for covering many branches of national defense, 1t IS proper that congress should begin con- sideration of the subject in it's entirety, so that appropriations will be applied as soon as possible to the development of single great plan of national defense in which modern methods of offensive and defensive warfare will be utilized"
 The Kansas City Times believes that, in view of the popular endorsement of Mr. Coolidge at the recent election, it behooves this congress to pay especial attention to the presidential program. "In particular congress Is expected to hold down appropriations, although With out hurting necessary activities. And while the country does not expect an- other cut in income taxes at this sesslon, it does expect the old congress to ap- prove the administrations policy making such reduction possible in the early fu- ture'' In view of the accession to lead ership of Senator Curtis and the new influence of the West in congress the Chicago News remarks: "The West should demand no privileges for itself. It should not initiate certain Eastern groups It should combat every form of special priv ilege and seek justice for all. It should push railroad consolidation and at the same time the development and utiliza- tion of inland waterways. The Western influences in congress should make them selves felt in behalf of peace, interna- tional good will, fair play to all legitimate domestic interests and governmental et- ficiency and economy"
 Under the heading, "The Same Old Congress-" the Philadelphia Public Led ger shows how the vote in the recent cleo tion was indifferent to the claims of blocs and preachers of unrest, and de- clares: "As matter of fact, the country would like to have the passing congress stick to routine legislation and leave the shaping of constructive policies to the incoming congress. Taxpayers are afraid of the men re-assembling today. Busl- mess and industry have had reason to fear them. The country generally is anxious to see the last of the Sixty-eighth Con- gress. A congress that has felt the sting of repudiation and heard the voice of an unmistakable rebuke should proceed in humility to do what it has left to do. The future belongs to its successor, and the Sixty-eighth Congress should go softly into history, taking care not to slam the door as it goes
 The prevailing view that the work of the present remnant of the Sixty-eighth Congress is cut out for it and definitely limited is expressed by the Washington Star: ''The decks are really clear for action at the short session on the appro- priation bills to the point of full per formance If there is a disposition to pass these measures before noon on the 4th of March they can all be framed and enacted in good season. If, on the other hand, there is disposition to block ade on the part of a few members of the senate they can do so. The respon- sibility for forcing an extra session will rest upon them alone" word to its own party in congress is given by the New York Evening World: of the Democrats in congress are wise they will refrain from all forms of obstruction, and will make their own record, and re- fuse to become parties to the factional fight of the party that has the respon- sibility"
 On the general subject of short ses- sions following presidential election the St. Louis Post-Dispatch thus delivers it. self: "The futility of the situation, the uselessness of the last session of con gress after an election, is obvious. Noth- ing of value can be accomplished by the party which has been given new lease of power, except possibly such perfume tory legislation as the passage of appro- priation bills. ... If the congress is in