Evening star., 1926-12-12
FORCING OF EXTRA
SESSION PLANNED
Democrats and insurgents
May Fi|ibuster Appropri-
alton Measures.

Already the question is being asked
on Capitol Hill--Can the present ses-
sion of Congress actually get through
with its work or will an extra session
be forced?
The Republican leaders as well as
the Coolidge administration are def
nitely opposed to the calling OF an
extra session and would prefer to
force action at this session on the
appropriation bills and let all other
matters, including tax reduction, lie
over till December. 1927. The Demo
Gratis and insurgents are beginning
to show signs of serious disagreement
on this point. 1t is within their power
so to use the time between now and
next March that an extra session can
be forced, If for no other reason than
to get the appropriation bills passed
for the use Of funds after June 80
next.
Maneuver Used Before.
This maneuver has been used before;
in fact, the Republicans forced an ex-
ira session on President Wilson this
way. No expression from the Demo
cratic leaders has come as yet, but
the various controversies dropped into
the hopper by the Democrats in the
last few days are SUFFICIENT TO absorb
Congress for some time to come.
Senator Walsh of Montana succeed.
ed in forcing an inquiry into the f!t'
ness of Senator Gould of Maine. The
report will require several weeks and
when presentedsi in January or Febru-
ary will take time to debate. Then,
Senator Dill of Washington already
has precipitated fight on the accept
ance Of credentials from Senators-elect
Ware of Pennsylvania and Frank
Smith of Illinois.
These resolutions cannot be
brushed aside, for the Democrats are
deft in their application OF such
things to a congressional campaign.
They made good deal OF capital
on the Newberry case and they pro-
pose to do the same thing with re-
spect to the two Senators from I'LL
nois and Pennsylvania. In other
words. Il ia embarrassing for any SEN
ator to refuse to inquire thoroughly
into the qualifications of Senator
where large sums are said to have
been spent in a primary. The legal
rights of the Senate in such mat
ters are ambiguous. This In itself
offers opportunity for extended
debate.
On top of the senatorial contests is
the question Of tax reduction on which
the Democrats are determined to get
something done. They feel they will
either force action at the present short
sssion or compel the calling of an ex-
ira session. Meanwhile the appropria-
ton bills, which constitute the real
lever for the forcing Of an extra ses.
sion, will not be permitted to roll
through too easily, and enough of
them probably will be held back un-
til 1t is decided whether the admin
istration will call an extra session.
The advantages. from a political
viewpoint, to the Democrats In getting
an extra session are supposed to be
centered largely on the opportunity
for political debate, particularly in the
Senate, where, with a margin Of one
vote, the Republicans would only be
in nominal control. And in the months
just in advance Of the 1928 presiden
tial elections anything the Democrats
can do to present Mr.. Coolidge with
problems on which he must. take an
affirmative or negative stand helps to
develop the issues for the big cam
paign.
Things are starting In much the
same way as of old--the minority
party bombarding the majority with
pop-gun measures and resolutions OF
investigation, all Of which take UP
time and make the two months after
the Christmas holidays such a brief
time for the accomplishment Of essen
tial tasks that filibusters are relatively
simple matters Of strategy. d. l..
tCopyright. 1e26.)