Evening star., 1927-09-15
SPEAKER OPPOSES
SPECIAL SESSION
tongworth Expresses 0p'
position on Visit to
White House.

Senate and House, that there was no
necessity for such a session, Mr.. Long
worth told the President he thought
nothing constructive could he accom-
plished by convening at an early GATE.
Others Also Opposed.
Representatives Ramseyer and Cole
Of Iowa, Hook of Kansas and Hogg
OF Indiana. all Republicans. who also
were among the Presidents callers to-
dav, were unanimous in saving they
see no need for calling an extra ses-
sion.
The President. however. has not
committed himself. and associates of
his today represented him as not
being ready To make a definite deci-
sion. In the meantime he is listen
in- to the views of party leaders,
which thus far have been over
whelmingly in opposition to the
proposal of an extra session. 1t is
believed that the views which he has
received since returning to Wash
tngtun have gone far toward con-
vincing the President that an extra
session would be not only unwcl-
come, but would accomplish very
little.
Senator Borah who also conferred
with the President today. said that
while he does not care one way or
the other whether there is an extra
session. he felt very sure that moth
ing would he gained by an early
start on the part of Congress.
Nye Wants Extra Session.
Senator Nve of North Dakota. who
belongs to the independent group in
the Senate, expressed himself as
being strongly in favor of an extra
session. He told the President that
much could be accomplished il Con
cress got to work at an early date
and that the possibility of last
minute jam would be avoided.
The President was advised by
Sneaker Longworth that the major
committees of the House will meet in
advance of the opening of Congress
and that they will have the important
legislation ready for action virtually
as soon as Congress convenes. He
felt very sure that by having Con-
gress meet earlier it would not
expedite matters. He said that his
experience in Congress has convinc ID
him that more could be accomplished
with Congress not in session.
The Speaker doubted very much IL
the Mississippi flood relief and control
legislation would be ready by the time
Congress meets in December. In view
Of this fact, he can see no reason for
calling Congress earlier when there
will be no possible chance for an in
telligent discussion of the flood
question.
The Speaker also discussed with the
President some of the more important
matters of legislation which will be
brought before Congress this Winter.
lie explained, however, that a definite
program has not been agreed upon,
but he felt very sure that flood legisla-
ton and tax reduction would have a
preferred place on the legislative
schedule. He said that earlier in the
Summer he had been advised that the
Treasury surplus would be sufficient
to permit the cut of about $500, ,000, 900
in the taxes. Whether this is the case
at this time he was unable to say. lie
hopes, however, that the tax bill will
be brought out early and passed early
In January.
Discusses Foreign Questions.
Senator Borah said, following his
conference with the President, that
the question of an extra session was
only one of number of matters dis |
cussed. He was not inclined to say |
how he advised the President in The
matter, but he did say that from his
observation Congress could ac!
complish just as much without being
called earlier than the usual meeting
date. He added that he has come 10
the conclusion that the Senate never
gets to work anyhow before March l,
no matter when it convenes.
The chairman of the foreign affairs
committee discussed with the Presi-
dent the pending foreign questions.
which included the French CONNER
cial treaty and the negotiations for
renewal of a French loan. He said
the matter of foreign debt was not
discussed.
Senator Caraway. Democrat. Ar
kansas, said today that in his opinion
Congress should be convened before
December to hasten consideration of
the problems Of rehabilitation con-
fronting the people of the Mississippi
Valley, as well as to take up legisla.
tion for permanent protection against
future floods. The Arkansas Senator
returned to the capital today.
Senator Caraway said he believes
the permanent solution of the prob
lem of controlling the Mississippi
against a repetition of the disastrous
flood of this year will have to be met
by a combination of levee systems
and diversion of some of the large
volumes Of water that now reach the
gulf through the Mississippi proper.
There is urgent need, however, he
said for the re%,ir of levees broken
by this years ~'ods in time to pro
tect the adjacent communities from
going under wtter again when the
normal rise OF the river occurs in the
Spring.
Secretary of Commerce Hoover en-
deared himself 30 the people Of the
flooded States ny coming to them in
their hour of trouble and showing in
telligence and sympathy, Senator
Caraway stated. He declared, how
ever. that the President should have
called an extra session Of Congress
la S'.rin, TO deal with the flood
emergency, and added that in his
opinion the President apparently had
failed 10 grasp the situation in which
the people of the flooded area found
themselves.
On the subject OF agricultural re-
lief the Arkansas Senator predicted
the McNary-Haugen farm measure,
providing for an equalization fee on
certain farm products, will be passed
again at the coming session by a
more substantial majority than 1t OBJ
tained in the last Congress. The
measure was vetoed by the President
at that time.
Although the division of seats be-
tween Republicans and Democrats
will be close in the new Senate, Sen
ator Caraway indicated that he be-
lieves the Republicans will organize
the upper branch.
Criticizes Flood Policy.
Celebrating on his statement that
Congress should have been called fol
lowing the Mississippi flood, Senator
Caravan said that while he was not
unrnindful Of the generosity Of those
who had contributed to the relief OF
the stricken area, - did net believe