Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1930-01-06
CONGRESS
BEGINS GRIND
Naval Conference Rivals
Tariff For Official
Attention
BY WALTER CHAMBERLAIN
Associated Press Staff Writer.

- n IAS
Associated Press Staff Writer.
WASHINGTON Jan. 6-lFI--ItS
eyes directed to the elections Of next
November. the second session OF the
seventy-ftrst congress returned 70
Capitol Hill today TO find the Lon
don naval conference rivaling the
tariff. prohibition, and other domes-
tic issues for its attention.
The holiday season failed to clari-
fy the complex situation confront
ing 1t, and, In one respect, the
problems had been multiplied by the
flare I'D over the wet and dry issue
initiated on Christmas we by Sen
ator Borah, republican, Idaho, stall
wart In the ranks OF the drys.
First work at hand today found
the senate ready 10 proceed with the
tariff bill, which Just n year ago
tomorrow had its birth In the ways
and means committee OF the house.
The controversial wool schedule was
the subject at hard.
Calendar Large
In the house miscellaneous bills
on the calendar had the legislative
right OF way. but interest also was
directed 10 the report by the appro-
priations committee or the annual
army supply measure. carrying
funds for the regular army and the
host OF non-military activities, such
control projects that come within
the Jurisdiction Of the war depart
as the rivers and harbofS and flood
ment.
Beyond these questions lay the
elections, in which all the house
and one-third OF the senate must
be chosen. The elections viii get
underway before many months with
primary campaigns IN several states.
and these always serve as q lively
prelude 10 the campaigns to come
later.
Early Work Done
Usually regular sessions do not
get down 10 work until Immediately
after New Years's day. but this year
much Of the preliminary work was
done In early spring, Summer and
fall months. The machinery was
thoroughly attuned to business and
with the exception OF n few contests
such as the filing OF committee
posts, there was nothing TO delay
the regular operation OF both
houses
OF the committee contests, that Of
Robert M. LaFollette. Jr.. for a post
on the powerful senate finance
committee. attracted national at
tention. LaFollette'S father served
on this committee. and the effort
OF his son TO gain membership In
this group has been frowned upon
by a number OF the regular republi-
cans because Of the association Of
the young LaFollette to the Western
independent group once headed by
his father.
Navy Has Interest
The London naval conference. for
which members OF the American
delegation will leave In On few days,
aroused interest at both sides or the
capitol. Whatever agreement may
be reached at the parley ultimately
must come before the senate for ap-
proval. and II appropriations or the
curtailment OF funds already au-
thorized should become involved,
the house will be called upon for
alton.
Senate leaders have decided the
tariff will have preference tn that
chamber, and this is expected TO
occupy much time. Once the meas
ure is acted upon, 10 must be re-
turned TO the house. which will ask
for appointment OF N conference
committee. and this group. as 1t has
in the case OF previous tariff legis-
lation. must thrash over the rates I'm
controversy between the two
houses.
Dry Law Looms
While the prohibition question In
expected to arouse much discus
sion, the question OF house approval
Of the Administrations request for u
Joint commission 70 consider reor-
ganization Of the dry law enforce
men machinery Is looked upon as
the first prospect OF action. Ap-
prevail Of the creation OF this COM
mission, already sanctioned by the
senate, Is regarded as a foregone
conclusion.
Leaders in both houses were du-
bious as TO when the session would
close. In recent years, regular ses-
sions seldom have terminated bee,
fore mld-June and frequently have
extended into July. None of those
in control IN either house would
hazard anything definite concern
ing the possibility Of adjournment,
but all indicated the new refriger-
ated ventilation system would see
much use before the legislators
cease work.