Evening star., 1938-01-03
CONGRESSAWA|TS
NOTE ON BUDGET
New Session Begins, With
Estimates on Length
at Odds.

A new session of Congress, expected
by some to be briefer than usual and
anticipated by others as long and
bitter. started today.
With the Presidents message de-
ivered, the legislators anxiously
awaited his next important document
next years budget estimates-which
probably will be submitted either TO-
morrow or Wednesday.
The Congress assembling at noon
was the same one which, in two ses-
sions last year, revolted against such
administration measures as the Roose-
velt court bill and the Black -Connery
wage hour bill.
But this time it was meeting under
fundamentally different circumstances.
When 1t convened year ago business
was booming and the President had
just won the biggest election in the
Nations history.
Now, however, Congress faced ma
tional elections few months ahead
and official figures showing unemploy-
ment once more on the Climb.
A cleavage in Democratic congress
sional ranks still existed as result
of some Of the Chief Executives 1897
legislative proposals. Many political
observers said the Presidents course
would determine whether Democrats
would fight shoulder-to-shoulder or
face-to-face In the November elections.
Comment of Smell.
Republican Leader Smell Of the
House said:
If the administration wants to work
with Congress for a cooperative ap-
proach to our problems, 1t will get
somewhere. If not. the session will
end up like the recent special session
with little done"
Senator OMahoney, Democrat, Of
Wyoming commented that "the people
don't want any social warfare, they
want social construction"
But Senator Norris independent, OF
Nebraska, a Roosevelt supporter, de-
clared:
There is lot Of opposition where
there ought to be none. The unem-
ployment situation has got to be met.
I don't believe We can balance the
budget in the next year undess We
increase the suffering Of the unem-
ployed."
Forecast by Byrnes.
Senator Byrnes, Democrat, of South
Carolina forecast the session would
complete the pending farm bill, act on
Government reorganization and tax
revision. and probably make some
amendments to the antitrust laws.
"The appropriation bills are far
enough along in the House Commit
tee" he added, ito permit adjourn
ment earlier than in previous years"
Despite Senator Byrnes' forecast,
many leaders foresaw long and Bit
ter session because of the number Of
controversial issues pending.
First. Congress must agree on the
farm and housing bills which it sent
to conference committees in the re-
cent special session.
The Senate will begin consideration
Thursday of the anti-lynching bill,
which heretofore has been defeated
by Southern fllibusters. Opinion was
divided on whether it would encounter
similar opposition tactics this time.
Reorganization Measure.
Back of the anti-lynching bill Is the
administrations Government reorgan-
ization measure, which some Demo-
Gratis are fighting. Even opponents
| forecast. however, that it eventually
would pass. Another holdover item
on the Roosevelt program is establish
ment of seven regional planning
| boards.
While the Senate deals with these
measures, the House will begin work
on the annual appropriation bills.
Before the end Of January, leaders
expect to pass and send to the Senate
a tax revision bill, which is expected
to modify the undistributed profits
and capital gains levies.
Aside from taxes and relief spend
ing, the major issue Of the session
may be anti-monopoly legislation.
Attorney General Cummings proposed
today an investigation preliminary to
legislation, but ran into immediate
congressional opposition.