The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-11-16
CONTEST TO RAGE
 OVER 2 MEASURES
Howell -Barkley And Pos tai Bills Opposed By
 Administration
LA TOILETTE GROUP
 DEMAND PASSAGE
Political Jockeying And Re- alignments Already Have
 Appeared
Rv RAYMOND CHAPTER

By RAYMOND CHAPTER (By Leased Wire to The Age-Heraid.) WASHINGTON, Nov. 15.- Fireworks will start promptly upon the reassembling of con- gress December 1. They will be set off by the attempts to enact two important pieces of Legislation which are opposed by the administration - the owell-Barkley bill to abol- ish the railroad labor board, and the postal employees pay increase bill. The La Toilette insurgents, who will continue to hold the balance of power during the short session of the old congress, are behind both measures, although there is general support from regulars of both parties.
 The bill for an increase in postal employees pay was passed in the senate by vote of g to and the house by 362 to 6. President Coolidge, how ever. vetoed the bill in the closing days of the last session. declaring that the increase would be an unjustified bur den on the public treasury and that the labor market was such that plenty of help could be obtained at the wages now paid. Unless there is sharp re- versal of opinion, the measure will be easily passed over the presidents veto.
 Sentiment Divided.
 Sentiment is not nearly so unanimous behind the Howell-Barkley railroad ate by Senator Howell, republican na- tional committeeman from Nebraska, 0ne of the moderate progressive group who will hold the balance of power in the next congress, and in the house by Representative Barkley of Kentucky, a democrat. The senate interstate commerce committee reported the meas ure favorably at the last session and it is now ready to be called up for a vote, though under the senate rules, vote may be postponed, and if necessary a filibuster might be resorted to in preventing action. In the house, the bill has been given preferred position on the calendar, though the house leaders have succeeded thus far in pre- venting vote.
 Would Abolish Board.
 The bill would abolish the railroad labor board and substitute meditation machinery along principles incorporated in the old Newlands and Erdman acts but which were displaced by the pres ent labor board in the Esch-Cummins law. All three parties have criticized the present labor board as unsatisfac- tory. The progressive platform en- dorsed the Howell -Barkley bill. The republican and democratic platforms made no flat commitment for any par ticular plan.
 Strong pressure will be brought to bear to delay action on this measure at the short session, as the opponents of the bill believe its chances will be less in the next congress. The meas ure will die with the present congress. if it fails of enactment, and fresh start will have to be made in the new congress.
 Excitement Forecast.
 The hot fights over these two meas ures will provide excitement in both houses pending the time when the ap- propriation bills begin to come out Of committee for consideration on the floor.
 Political jockeying and realignments, contests for position, prospects of con troversy on one subject and another all the familiar trapping of congress are beginning to reappear as workmen in the capitol dust out the senate and house chambers.
 Congressional leaders already in Washington are beginning to draw the lines which will determine the fate of various legislative programs. As the course of the future congress must de- pend to a considerable extent on the personality of the political captains who direct affairs in congress, attention is centered now on the candidates for such jobs as floor leader.
 Wadsworth Holds Lead.
 Senator James w. Wadsworth of New York, is the leading candidate for republican floor leader in the senate, but his aspiration is being chal- lenged by such leaders as Senators Curtis and Moses. It is reported that a coalition has been formed against Wadsworth, although at present a ma jority of republicans appear to be sup porting him. The Curtis-Moses coali- tion involves a trade in their own in- terests. Both men are candidates for president pro-tem in the new congress. Curtis, however, would be satisfied with the floor leadership and might withdraw from his race against Moses
 tCOntinued on page three)