Evening star., 1936-01-01
CONGRESS TO HEAR
.PRES|DENT0UTL|NE
AIMS FRIDAY NIGHT
G. 0. P. May Attempt to
BaIk Precedent in Joint
Session.
VIEWS ON BIG ISSUES
EXPECTED IN ADDRESS
Democratic Leaders Call Repub-
lican Chiefs Into Parley-Four-
Month Term Forecast.
BY the Associated Press.

BY the Associated Press.
The peal Of New Year bells had
hardly ceased to echo today before
the New Deal threw the throttle wide
open in a 1886 drive TO snap an alb
breviated program through a brief
congressional session and then carry
an aggressive fight to its foes in the
presidential campaign.
The first task of leaders was to per-
feet arrangements for President
Roosevelt's surprise plans to address
Congress in an extraordinary night
session Friday at 9 or $50 o'clock.
BY delivering his annual message
on the state of the Nation in person
at that hour, Mr.. Roosevelt will break
preoedents. The only previous occa-
sion when a Chief Executive appeared
before Congress at night was Presi-
dent Wilson's delivery of his famous
war message.
Never before has the opening mes
sage been read in the evening. veteran
attaches said.
Broadcast Hour Factor.
The reason for the move was not
announced, but the Capital reasoned
that the Presidents voice will reach
more people than if he spoke around
noon, as is customary. The address
will be broadcast nationally.
There was no doubt that the ad-
ministration considered the message
Of major importance. 1t might con-
ceivably deal with specific major issues
like relief. the bonus and neutrality,
though these might be reserved for
later treatment.
Democratic congressional leaders
hoped there would be no minority
move to thwart the night session of
the Congress which convenes at noon
Friday. In the House. a night session
requires a unanimous decision or. fall
ing that. passage of a special rule by
a two-thirGs majority. In the Senate,
only majority is necessary.
Appropriations, the bonus, relief and
neutrality appeared today to be the
major legislation now scheduled for
action this session. Many others may
come up for discussion. however.
Developments on Issues.
Latest developments on the leading
issues include:
Appropriations: Senator Byrd, DEM
ocrat, of Virginia, prepared resolu-
ton to put Congress on record for
drastic retrenchment. Appropriate
to bolster military and air defenses ap-
peared destined to bulk large in
debate.
Bonus-New efforts to get veterans
organizations to agree on single bill
to pay the S2,O00.000.0O0 were started.
M. A. Harlan, commander of the Dis
abled American Veterans, invited chiefs
of the American Legion and Veterans
of Foreign Wars to a conference Tor
that purpose.
Relief-The only hint of the admin
istration's plans has been an an
nouncement that it would seek an ap-
preparation of something less than
$500, 900 900 for public works.
Neutrality-There were reports that
the administration would offer its own
neutrality program, giving certain dis
cretionary powers to the President.
This would succeed the present law.
which carries a mandatory embargo
on munitions shipments to belligerents
and which expires February 30.
Month Session Seen.
Senator Harrison, Democrat, of
Mississippi and Senator McNary. Re-
publican, of Oregon, minority leader.
| foresaw the possibility of compare
lively short session. The latter men,
| toned four months.
The agreement on the night session
was reached at a parley lasting lorg
after nightfall in Vice President Gar
ner's Office. attended by Speaker Byrns,
! Senator McNary and Representative
Smell, the House minority leader.
There was speculation that the Re.
publicans were included in an effort
to prevent minority attempt to block
the joint night meeting. Newspaper
men asked Smell if he considered likely
a move from his side of the chamber
to block unanimous consent, and re-
ceived this reply:
Il think the thing will work out all
right"
On the Senate side. while majority
consent can complete the arrangement.
(See CONGRESS. Page ~