Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1927-03-06
Into the Discard.

into the discard went legislative
program of great importance TO me
country as the SiXty-ninth congress
died on Friday, with a hurly'ouriS
lam in the Senate. Injustice was
done to thousands of Americans
Allen owners of property seized IN
this country nine years ago, "heH
this country entered the World war
were again denied relief
The country has watched in the
mast similar proceedings in a short
session" of Congress. 1t has patiently
pernitted the filibusters of the Sen
e+a--and sometimes of the House
to ditch legislative measures for
which it waited eagerly. But the
rule of unlimited debate, with
clotilre invoked only when a two
thirds vote can be obtained, whlch
has made filibustering in the Senate
the favorite sport of that body, is
not alone to blame. The system
which permits a short session -
scarcely three months in duration
TO close the life of Congress Is
equally to blame. Such an impasse
as arose yesterday in the Senate just
before Vice President Dawes gaveled
the session TO an end would nave
been impossible had the Norris con-
stitutional amendment doing away
with the short sessions, been in
effect
A majority of the Senate was pre-
pared to pass the second deficiency
appropriation bill. carrying S93,7lo,-
75s, including s37 1000, 900 for the pay
ment of pensions to old soldiers and
their widows and $4,000, 900 for loans
to former service men on their adjust
ed service certificates. 1t was prepared
to pass two public building bills, one
appropriating millions of dollars for
work on the program authorized at
the last. session of Congress, and
the other authorizing S125,O00,000 for
much needed additional building
projects. In the latter bill 10000
600 was included for the triangle
project in the District of Columbia
A majority of the Senate was pre-
pared also to put through the alien
property bill, which had passed the
House and awaited merely action by
the Senate. Indeed, all of these
measures had received the approval
Of the House, under its more efficient
method of procure.
But while these four major measures
were lost there were others of i'm
portance which failed. The disabled
emergency officers retirement BILL the
medical liquor bill. permitting the
Government to replenish stocks for
use In cases of Illness; the proposals
TO make use finally of the great
Muscle Shoals power project. the pos
tai rate adjustment bill, all died in the
attack of legislative paralysis which
affected the Senate. The people OF
California and of several other States
in the valley of the great Colored
River will bewail the failure of the
Boulder Dam bill. designed to harness
the food waters of the river and Il
make a desert bloom.
Until December the country mus
possess it's soul in patience. The new
Congress, although elected four
months ago, under the Anticipated
practice in force, does not assembl,
until next Winter. The Treasury De
partment and the Interior Depart
ment must find some means OF
paying pensions and other Just debts
Of the Government, If they can. Th'
law perhaps must be strained to
keep the wolf from the door Of poor
pensioners.
The blame for the situation rests
particularly on the Senate and It,
rules. But the House does rot escape
it's share of the blame. Three times
tho Senate has put through by over
whelming vote the Norris resolution
proposing a constitutional amendment
whereby each Congress would hol'
two long sessions, beginning in Jan
uary Of each year and running unit
the Congress had concluded its busi
ness. Such a resolution. although re
ported favorably to the House. die
yesterday on the calendar. A small
but powerful group in that body de
MED the House the right TO conside
the resolution. The adoption of tn
Norris resolution and the ratification
i Of the proposed amendment by three
fourths of the States would effectuall
cure the evils of the short" session.