The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1937-11-09
SPECIAL SESSION
CARRIES PERILS
OF MANY WOES
History Shows Rows
Often Develop

Often Develop
If history repeats itself, mo-
mentous happenings may flow
from the special session of Con
gress which convenes on Novem.
Der is at the call of President
Roosevelt.
Administra tionS have been
wrecked. parties have been split
and war has been declared in Spe-
cial sessions of Congress in the ma.
tons span of years. A special seS.
sion, all congressional students
agree, hovers on political dyna
mite. Why this is so is the sub.
ject of argument, but the past re.
veals clearly how quickly quarrelS
develop.
SPLITS DEVELOP
Presidents frequently thrust mo-
mentouS issues before special SeS-
sions, members of Congress often
return chagrined at being forced
to leave their homes, and the pres
sure of regular business usually
is absent so that members can de.
vote their whole energies to few
major issues. And all major is
sues usually create political cleav-
age.
In his book published SO years
ago, James G. Blaine warned OF
the calling of special sessions of
Congress. He said:
'It was remembered that all
the woes of the elder Adams ad-
miniStration, all the intrigueS
which the choleric President
fancied that Hamilton was
carrying on against him in con-
nection with our French diff
culties, had their origin in the
extra session of May, 1897.
"It was remembered also that
the unpopularity which attached
to the Presidency of Mr.. Madi-
son was connected with the two
extra sessions which his tinid
administration was perhaps too
ready to assemble. So deeply
was hostility to extra sessions
implanted in the minds of po-
litical leaders by the misfortunes
of Adams and Madison that an
other was not called for a quar-
ter c. q century.
VAN buren, WOES
"In September, 1887, Mr.. Van
Buren, inaugurated the Ill fortune
of the administration by assem-
bling Congress three months in
advance of the regular session.
John Tyler in turn never re-
covered from the dissensions and
disasters of the extra session of
May, 1841-though it was precip-
itated upon him by a call issued
by President Harrison"
In the coming session, Congress
will debate wage-hourS, farm and
reorganization legiSlation-all ex-
ploSive subjects.
Famous special sessions of mod
ern times, which have created diff
ficultieS for the party in power
include:
Special session called by Presi-
dent Grover Cleveland to repeal
silver purchasing clause, which
split the Democratic party and
gave President William Mckinley
victory for the Republicans in
1896.
Special session called by Presi-
dent Wilson, which resulted in
American entrance into the World
War in 1917, and which was fol
lowed by Republicans winning con-
troll Of Congress.
CAUSED G. o. p. SPLIT
Two special sessions called by
President Taft during which Con.
greSs battled over the Payne
Aldrich tariff and Canadian
reciprocity, which were followed
by q split in the Republican party
and the election of President
woodrow Wilson.
The Teapot Dome scandal which
wrecked the Harding administra-
ton came to light during a special
session.
President Hoover called a special
session in 1929 to enact a farm
program, just as President Roose-
welt Is seeking crop control. The
session, however, became chiefly
involved in a battle over the Smoot-
Hawley tariff bill. The session,
which opened on April is, con.
tinued until November %, with
the tariff bills enactment being
postponed until the regular session.
HOOVER SESSION
The great stock market crash
occurred while Congress was in
session. Many Republicans be-
lieve that the Hoover special SEES