Milford chronicle., 1936-01-03
UNIQUE PLAN TO
OPEN CONGRESS
CALLEL POLITICS"
[ConfiNNed ~ - PaRel

authority that the night session. t
v follow perfunctory formal opening
J. at noon in each house, was consid
cred of,such Significance that it wa
discussed at last Fridays cabine
meeting. 1t was broached the da,
before that. Who originated it wal
not announced, but most authorities
had feeling il was none other than
? the President himself.
Publicity Seen Motive
The motive behind the night ses-
sion plan likewise remained a Sc
cret, unless 1t was intended to give
Mr.. Roosevelt the widest possible
publicity by employing the radio at
a time when most persons have the
dials turned On.
Senator Robinson, the Democratic
floor leader, returned to the capital
during the lay and discussed the
opening arrangements with Vice
President Garner. Robinson had
been consulted by telegraph in Ar
kansas and had given the night
meeting idea his approval Republi-
can leaders gave their assent at a
meeting with Garner on Tuesday ]
night.
As the physical arrangements /
went ahead for the colorful spec
tacle to be staged in the huge House
chambers, soldiers bonus and neu-
trality proposals, two subjects to
receive early Congressional atten-
tiOn, began running the preliminary
discussion gauntlets.
While reports persisted the Ad-
ministTatiOn would propose a per-
manent neutrality bill Of its own to
take the place of the temporary
arms embargo law eXpir-
ing February 30, Chairman Mercy
nOlds (D-Tenn) Of the House For
elgn Affairs Committee said he hop
ed to complete a neutrality bill of
his own by tomorrow.
McReynOlds accompanied Chair
nan Pittman (D-NeV) OF the Sem }
ate foreign relations committee to
he State Department for further n
discussions. The two talked over o
he subject at the White House late
Tuesday at a parlCy attended by i
Hull and Assistant Sec a
etary Moore. a
McReynolds said Wednesday that B
lnless something different was
greed upon, he would include in G
lis permanent bill provisions for q
Ontinuing the existing arms. muni- q
ions and implements of war ban 1
gainst belItgerents and giving the "
resident discretion to lay down al
mbargOes on such materials as
OttOn and oil. r
The fact that neutrality may come al
1 for discussion in the Presidents @
lessage tonight. stirred memories
that dramatic occasion on April m
1917, when President Wilson "
Iade the only other executive ad- h
ress to a joint night session Of
ongress. Wilson had much TO say M
bout the futillty If Americas neu- w
ality policy then, III
AS members I0ared cheer after
leer in an Outburst of patriotic en- wi
usiasm, Wilson urged Congress MI
en- to declare a state of war ex- an
ing between the United States lie
d Germany. He said neutrality no
lger was feasible or desirable ter
lere the peace of the world was an
'olved. Ge
When President Roosevelt as
Ids the same rOstrum tonight be- the
e a battery Of micrOphones, ter
ich in Wilson's time we're but en-
eering fancies, he will face q Ca dat
.ity-taxed chamber. with Senators ma
Representatives and members Mr..
he cabinet seated in an oval well n
med above ny galleries. There and
be seated the hundreds fOTtu- spe
e enough to obtain special adj ent
sion cards. Members of the Su- n
me Court will not be present, tain
,e they attend only on occasions J-Pk
oint memorial exercises. MAJ
he Senate will convene shortly lsal
Ore p. m. Then, escorted by II
vim A. Halsey, secretary and list
sley w. Jurney, sergeant-at- N
IS, the Senators will march in kett
BILE file down a 70O-foot corridor stoy
he larger House chamber. NJ
Garner VIII Preside to d
Deaker ByTns will announce the Mrs
val of the Senate. The Vice seve
sident will take a seat on the
rum to the Speakers right and
over the gavel from Byrns to
the joint session TO order. A H.
mittee will then be appointed
scort the President from his re- h'
ing room to the chamber. SON.
arrangements for the unusual CT Q
ing proceeded, both Republican cues
Democratic leaders advocated Suns
Congress make as short work MI
Ossible and adjourn in four or terta
Mr..
ObOdy wants a long session." John
Senator Harrison (D-Miss.). ming
listed appropriations bill, neu- turk'
y, the bonus, ship subsidy, and Nil
dments to the agricultural adj in 81
tent and social security acts as and
liners for debate. Mr.,
lator McNary, of Oregon, the ton.
'ity floor leader, said that if and
ress enacted a minimum num- Ann
( bills after careful considera- guest
as he said it should, 1t would and
lie to adjourn by the first OF dav
He agreed with Harrison there Mr.
be no general tax legislation. tertai
er Congressional developments Dime
led: War;
tatement by Senator Costigan Tbom
lo.) that he would renew a and 4
cal that tha Constitution he 80