Evening star., 1934-06-19
CONGRESS CLOSES
SESSION TAMELY
Liberals Successful in Fore
ina Farm and Labor
Bill Action.
Continued From First Page)

still showed no signs of being pre-
sented for consideration. The Della
ware Senator talked for an hour or so
on the bill and then said he would
not delay further vote,
His only victory was the defeat OF
the Wheeler amendment, which was a
drastic provision to outlaw company
unions" This was voted down viva
VOce, and the bill then passed without
a record vote. The bill as passed con-
tains provisions which it is believed
will make it difficult for company
unions, like that of the Pennsylvania
Railroad, to continue. 1t prohibits
contributions of funds by a company
to such unions.
Long Leads Debate.
Senator Long of louisiana lead the
fight to compel action on the con-
ference report on the farm mortgage
bill, which virtually establishes six
year moratorium for distressed farm
ers, and scales down their debts. The
measure was denounced by Senators
Lonergan of Connecticut and Walsh
of Massachusetts,, both Democrats,
and Senator Fess of Ohio. Republican.
Senator Shipstead of Minnesota,
Farmer-Labor, defending the bill. as
serted farmers could not pay these
debts anyway He finally declared
that in all probability all debts in the
country whether of city man or
farmer, would have to be reduced or
in part Cancelled, or else there would
have to be a tremendous imitation.
uun. Funds Annroved
The Congress has appropriated an
astounding sum of money and au-
thorized the expenditure of more.
Representative Taber of New York,
ranking Republican on the House
Appropriations Committee, estimated
today that obligations assumed by the
Federal Government, under acts OF
Congress at this session reached the
huge total of $4,000 900, 900.
The chairmen of the House and
Senate Appropriations Committees
have so far made no computations OF
appropriations. Their estimates proo-
ably will be considerably less tnan
Taber's. 1t is expected, however, that
the actual figures will be in excess
of $1,000. 0OO, 900 of appropriations
One of the last bills acted upon,
the deficiency bill, makes provision
for the expenditure of approximately
s2.4oO 900 600 The expenditures au-
thorized by Congress at this session
greatly exceed those of the first Ses-
sion of the new deal" Congress last
year, and they far exceed the totals
for any other Congress in peace
time.
The budget for the Government,
sent to the Senate at the opening OF
the session last January, has been
greatly exceeded, although many OF
the appropriations made were later
recommended by the administration.
The drought relief funds, for ex-
ample, amounting to nearly half
billion dollars were added later. And
the Congress tackled on between $780,
100000 and 5000, 100000 when it
amended the independent Offices ap-
propriation bill so as to grant more
liberal compensation to war veterans
and their dependents, and so as TO
eliminate part of the wage cuts for
Government workers.
Work Completed.
Under the operation of the lame
duck" amendment to the Constitu-
tion-the twentieth amendment-the
term of the members of the present
Congress has been shortened by two
months.
The Congress leaves Washington
and the control Of Government in the
hands of the President. 1t is not
expected to assemble again. The
Seventy fourth Congress is to be
Tr@Nr
of the Roosevelt new deal"
The Congress, in its session just
closed, has placed on the statute
books measures of vast Importance.
In the main it has been docile Con-
gress. following the recommendations
of the President almost to the letter
Only One Open Revolt.
On one occasion only did the Con-
gress break into open revolt against
President Roosevelt. 1t passed over
the presidential veto the independent
Offices appropriation bill providing
more liberal treatment for war vet
erans and their dependents and re-
storing part of the pay of the Gov
ernment workers who had received
cuts.
gress brought to individual members
violent protests from all parts of the
country. 1t measured, in the main,
the revolt against presidential domi-
nation.
On another occasion the Senate
got up on its hind legs and refused
to ratify the st. Lawrence waterway
treaty negotiated between this coun-
try and Canada.
ajOr Legislation.
Here are the major pieces of legis-
lation enacted since last January, a
tremendous record:
l. The Roosevelt reciprocity tariff
act. which gives the President vir-
tually unlimited powers to enter into
trade agreements and to lower or
raise any tariff duty by so per cent.
Q The act for the regulation OF
stock exchanges and amendment ol
the securities act of 1888.
g. The silver bill, to promote the
use of silver as money.
T. The revenue act, to close loop
holes in the income tax.
5. The administrators housing bill
6. The liquor tax act.
Bankrupt Acts.
7. The so-called bankruptcy acts
relating to municipalities and corpora
tions.
The acts by which the Govern
ment guarantees the bonds of tht
Home Owners Loan Corporation anc
the bonds issued under the farm
mortgage act of 1888
g. The aid to industries bill.
10. The bill extending the operation
OF the temporary insurance of bank
deposits, increasing the amount Of
each deposit insured from $4,000 tt
$4,000
II. The Philippine independence
act.
II. The Frazier Temple farm mort.
gage bill.
Narv Cfrerwfh Vnereased