Evening star., 1939-11-13
Defense Heads List
Of Problems Waitinu
Next Congress
Reciprocal Trude
Agreement Showdown
Also Probable
BY the Associated Press.

Although Congress likes to wind
up its work early in a presidential
election year, dozen time-con-
suming issues will confront the leg
islators in January.
| Heading the list will be a record
defense program and a probable
showdown on the administration
reciprocal trade agreements. Au-
thority for the latter expires next
June IL, and some Republicans and
Western Democrats are discussing
ways to prevent extension Of the
program.
Other major problems for the
1910 session are beginning to shape
up as follows:
l. Neutrallty-some changes un.
doubtedly will be sought in the new
neutrality law. There already has
been criticism against provisions en-
failing shipping losses, and an ef-
| fort is expected to compensate ship
owners and maritime labor. Expira-
ton of the Japanese COM
mercial treaty in January will clear
the way for consideration of bill
to embargo American exports to
Japan.
Tax Proposals.
2. Taxes-leaders arranged last
spring to overhaul the tax structure
in 1910, but many influential leg
islators are urging that the rev.
enue system be left alone until
after the 1910 election. Proposals
are pending to set up stiff sched-
ule Of profits taxes which would
take effect Immediately on a de-
claration of war by the United
States.
8. Fiscal-The Treasury has an.
nounced that it would leave to Con-
gress the question of boosting the
present $45 900 900 900 ceiling on the
public debt The debt now exceeds
SAL 600, 900 900.
4. Relief-Economy minded Sena-
tors hope to hold the work-relief
appropriation for the year beginning
next July to O0O,OOO,OOO COM
pared with s1,477 900 900 for the cur
rent fiscal year. They contend that
a business upswing will make the
reduction possible.
Minor Security Changes.
5. Pensions-The administration
may urge some minor changes in the
Social Security Act. Followers of
the Townsend and other old-age
pension movements plan to resub-
NIT their programs, but defeat Of
pension plans in California and Ohio
may increase the opposition.
6. Labor-The Senate Labor Com
mlttee will conclude hearings early
in January on far-reaching amend
ments to overhaul the Wagner Labor
Relations Act. Leaders expect to
delay consideration until after q
House Committee has completed an
investigation of the Labor Board,
and action thus may be delayed
until 1941.
Z. Farm-Substitute for the ad-
minlstration's farm program already
are pending, but some leaders con-
tend that the present benefit system
will be continued for another year.
Transportation Measure.
3. Railroads.&c. bill to bring all
forms of transportation, including
water carriers, under control of the
Interstate Commerce Commission
has been passed by both Senate and
, House and is before joint commit.
tee for adjustment of differences.
9. Wage hour - Suggestions are
pending to exempt certain groups,
including white collar workers, from
the wage-and- minimum stand
ards.
, 10. H alth- Senator Wagner,
Democrat, of New York, plans to
push his measure to grant Federal
aid to States for public health serv-
ices Government appropriations
would start at s90,000,O0O the first
year.