Evening star., 1927-06-01
The Flood Control Problem.

Committees of the Senate and House
are to tackle the problem of Missis-
sippt River flood control during the
present month. it has practically been
determined by congressional leaders.
President Coolidge approves the plan,
it is understood. 1t is a wise move,
eminently mo-A-Sractical than the ill.
considered demanu lat Congress be
called Immediately in special session
to deal with the flood situation. The
need of a definite, permanent plan of
flood control is clear. Such plan
must be whipped into shape by the
be devised overnight, but only after
weeks and perhaps months of pains
taking inquiry and hearing of ex-
perts. Congress, if in session, would
be twiddling it's thumbs or engaged
in the pleasant pastime of playing
politics, while the committees labored.
Talk Of a special session to be de-
voted only to flood control legislation
is idle. Once Congress is in session,
Congress proceeds as it sees fit.
Officially the committees of the
House do not yet exist. Senate COM
mittees have continuing life from Con.
gress to Congress. Neither Senate
nor House committees have funds at
their disposal. This lack Of funds Is
the one difficulty in the path Of the
plan for early hearings by the two
committees. But with the cooperation
Of the leaders of both the major
political parties in Congress. it ap-
pears that this difficulty may be
avoided, and the bills paid when Con-
gress reassembles.
It is no new thing for congressional
committees to meet in the recess of
Congress in order to put legislative
measures into shape. The ways and
means committee of the House has
adopted such a course frequently to
get the jump on revenue and tariff
legislation. and to be prepared to SUBJ
NIT measures to the House without
delay when the 435 members of that
body convene. At present members
of both the Senate commerce commit
tee and the House flood control COM
mittee are making a personal investi-
CATION of conditions in the flooded
area, invited to do so by the Missis-
sippi Flood Control Association Of
Memphis. It is excellent preparation
for their work. The problem the com.
mitteemen must solve Is permanent
food control. The immediate work of
rescue and relief of the flood sufferers
is going forward under the direction
of the Federal Government and the
American Red Cross. Plans are de.
veloping rapidly for the financial aid
required by those who must rehabili-
tate and replant.
The suggestion has been made that
Congress be called in special session
in October or November, to give 1t
ample time to consider flood control
legislation. This may or may not be
necessary. After the committees have
thoroughly investigated the entire
problem, they will be able to advise
the President as to the proper course
in this matter. The regular session
Of Congress opens in December and
it may be that the legislation can
properly await that date. The com.
ing session is long" session, with
nothing mandatory to terminate it
except the opening of the second reg
ular session of the new Congress in
December, 1928. The national politi-
cal conventions are scheduled for
June, 1923, and every effort will be
made to bring the Congress to an ad.
journment before the conventions. But
the period from December to June
should provide ample opportunity to
deal with all the legislation required
if Congress will act promptly and eff
ciently.