The Waterbury Democrat., 1935-08-20
CONGRESS SPEEDS
 TOWARD FINISH
Going Like "House Afire" as "Must" Bills Are
 Passed or Put Ahead
BY H. c. THOMPSON

Washington, Aug 20-Congress raced toward adjournment today, with the public utility and the Guffey coal bills as the only major obstacles to its going home.
 Leaders were hopeful, but not willing to make a flag prediction that this week would see the end of the second new deal congress. Events all along the line were moving rapidly. Bills were being whipped through bot hsenate and house with a speed startling on- lockers. The urge to go home was evident on every hand.
 Conferees on the public utility bill arranged another meeting for today in the hope that compro- mise could be effected. Informal cloakroom discussions raised hopes settlement might be reached.
 President Roosevelt, relenting from the position he took in his special message of March 12, ap- parently Is willing to accept measure which does not carry an outright dissolution of holding companies.
 AoROSSA SoAbPAohhSO
 The proposed compromise wiped out the deadline of 1922 for elim- ination of unnecessary holding companies in the first and second degree.
 The Guffey bill, setting up little MIRA" for the soft coal in- dustry, was approved by the house yesterday, 194 10 163, after leaders went through an anxious half-hour rounding up the votes necessary for passage. It comes before the senate today.
 The banking act of 1885 was sent to the White House for the presi- dents signature after both house and senate had approved the con- ference report.
 This measure, centraliZing fed eral control over currency and credit, creates an open market committee of '12 members, com posod of the seven members of the federal reserve board, and five bankers, to govern transactions in government bonds. The bill also makes permanent the deposit insurance system and reorganizes the federal reserve board.
 Another bill sent to the White House was the Wagner Crosser railway retirement bill. This was designed to regain some employees pension benefits nullified by the supreme court decision invalidating the railway retirement act of last year.
 The up-to-the-m e-minute status of other important lgeislation: TAV Legislation. Coferees making progress. Alcohol Control. Conferees about ready to report. Government Contract Bill. House hearings begun with speedy floor action anticipated. Railroad Reorganization. Pending in the senate, having passed the house. Oil Compact Ratification. Pending in house, having passed the senate. Gold Clause Bill. Sent to conference yesterday by senate.
 Third Deficiency Bill. 
 Organizing in house appropria- tions committee. Farm Mortgage Bill. Approved by the senate yester- day, pending in house. The bill gives debt-ridden farmers three years, under bankruptcy court auspices, to make final settlement with creditors. Last-minute notes on other legislation.
 Food ani Drug.
 Still in house interstate com merce committed, although passed by senate. Probably be left until next sesion.
 Farm Tenant Bill.
 Passed senate, still in house ag- ricultural committee. President Roosevelt interested but not en- tirely persuaded of the merits of this particular measure. Commodity Exchange Control. Tied up in senate agriculture committee.