Evening star., 1926-12-05
The Last Lap.

The Sixty.ninth Congress enters Its
last lap tomorrow. 1t has a big pro-
gram before 1t and less than three
months of life. Whether 1t will be
able to accomplish any material part
of the program, outside of the annual
sunplv bills for the Government. de-
ponds largely upon the extent to
which partisan political sentiment can
he held down. II politics run riot at
the Capitol, little II anything in a
legislative way will be accomplished.
The present Congress in its first
session made a record. 1t put through
a tax reduction bill. in the passage OF
which the Democrats co-operated very
largely with the Republicans. IL
enacted the Parker-Watso railroad
labor bill, setting up new machinery
to handle disputes between railroad
management and railroad labor. war
debt settlements with Italy, Belgium
and France were ratified and the Sen
ate adopted a resolution of adherence
1t passed the first public buildings
bill enacted in more than decade,
and many other measures OF lesser
public interest. Meeting after the
Republican landslide in 1924, with In
creased Republican majorities In both
Senate and House. a greater measure
of willingness to heed the recommend
ations of the President was manifest
than had been in evidence for several
years. The principal stumbling block
was the legislation demanded by the
farmers of the West-popularly
known as the McNary-Haugen bill.
Thisssneasure failed in both Houses.
Farm legislation still hangs before
the Congress, at once a threat and
hone. Final action on this matter
will depend largely upon whether the
representatives of the agricultural
sections Of the country can really get
together on a measure in form and
principle acceptable to the administra-
ton. 1t is the hope Of the admins
traticn that some sound and substan-
tial legislation may be put through.
The one threat to the Coolidge admin
ietraticn is found in the corn and
wheat belts of the country.
The Republican administration has
already chalked up a record for tax
reduction and economy in Govern
ment expenditures. But even with
the sharp reductions made In taxes,
surplus estimated at little less than
s4oo. 900 900 is expected at the end of
the fiscal year. Congress will seek
TO determine what shall be done with
this surplus. On the enc hand Is the
President with a proposal that the
taxpayers be allowed a reduction In
the taxes they are to pay next year
On the other are the Democrats, de-
manding an immediate revision of tax
rates. In between are Republican
regulars and progressives who believe
that the surplus should he used fur.
ther to reduce the war debt or he ex-
rerded for river and harbor and other
improvements The outlook for action
is not of the hest, but 1t may come IL
the public sentiment becomes aroused.
II nothing Is done. the surplus will in
ali probability be used to reduce the
public debt.
Outside of farm relief. the Congress
will be faced with consideration and
action on legislation to strengthen
the dry laws, to develop the water
power at Muscle Shoals. the better to
regulate the use of the air by radio.
to prevent a coal famine in the event
Of strikes. and to improve the mer-
chant marine. Much of this program
will fail. The time is too short, even
N the Congress We're willing. Some
proponents of various measures are
talking of forcing an extra session of
the new Congress. the Seventeen. if
their pet bills are not disposed of. But
leaders among the Republicans and
Democrats both assert they oppose a
special session Of the next Congress
after March 4. They are working
already to prevent such contin-
g.ncy. Only developments not now
foreseen will bring about the failure
~ any OF the supply bills and the con.
eeouent special session.