Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1931-01-04

sion will be about as abortive as the
short session under these conditions.
IF the railroads and power interests
can delay action of Congress in this
way, it means they will further tighten
their grip on the resources of the cour-
try and Congress will wholly fail to do
its duty. If the extra session fails the
voice Of the people as expressed in the
election will fail and there will be no
further farm relief for years, the anti
injunction bill for labor will fail as will
also the Muscle Shoals bill and even
the lame duck amendment. Neither
these measures nor legislation dealing
with the railroads, with power, with
radio, nor other highly essential meas
ures can be enacted before 1888"
The conferees on the Muscle Shoals
bill are called to meet Tuesday. How
ever, there Is no immediate prospect
OF an agreement on that measure and
disagreement probably will have to
be reported TO the houses. If they stand
pat there is not likely to be any Muscle
Shoals legislation at the present ses-
sion. Efforts to effect q compromise
are still underway.
G. o. p. Leaders Meet.
Senator Watson, Republican leader OF
the Senate, Senator Fess, chairman OF
the Republican National Committee,
and Senator Goff, chairman of the Re-
publican Steering Committee of the
Senate, held conference yesterday
afternoon. Later 1t was said that there
had been general discussion of the
situation, with a view to eXpeditinp
legislation, but that until the Steering
Committee could meet this week, Il
VIII not be possible to frame the legis-
lative program.
The So-called maternity bill h the
unfinished business Of the Senate. II
can be displaced by majority vote to
take up other legislation, or by unani-
nous consent. An agreement has been
entered into to limit debate on the
maternity bill, and 1t may be possible
to reach a vote on this measure before
the close Of the week.
Senator Howell of Nebraska is urg-
ing the Steering Committee to give a
preferred place to his bill for the more
stringent enforcement of prohibition in
the District Of Columbia The Steer
ing Committee, however, Is baking on
the ground that nothing should be
taken up dealing with prohibition until
the Wickersham Commission report
has been received by Congress. Sen
ator Norris has asked, too, for con-
But the committee has replied that
measure Is before the Senate with an
adverse report from a majority of the
Judiciary Committee, and 1t Is against
the practices to place on the legislative
program measures which have been adj
verSely reported. The committee viii
not oppose Senator Norris seeking to
get the bill up. but Is disinclined to
give 1t d place on the program.
An agreement was entered into before
the Senate quit for the holidays to
take up the nominations Of the new
Tariff Commission on January 9. These
are likely to lead to debate and re-
discussion Of the tariff question.
Some Bills Passed.
Three Of the IL regular appropria-
ton bills for the Government, including
two deficiency bills" have been passed
by the House. One Of them has passed
the Senate and now Is in the confer
ence stage. Another has been reported
to the Senate. The emergency con-
struction appropriation bill has passed
both houses and has been approved by
the President.
Senator McNaty, assistant Republic
! "a leader q The Senate insists thai