Evening star., 1944-04-30
Congress Speeds Vote
On Six Major Bills
Before Conventions
BY the Associated Press.
BY ]. A. O'LEARY.

Congress will begin a drive
this week to dispose of six major
pieces of Legislation and a dozen
remaining appropriation bills, in
the hope Of starting a summer
recess before the national politi-
cal conventions are held.
In addition to the annual ap-
propriations for Government agen-
cies, which leaders hope to put
through by mid-June, here are the
important legislative issues that will
keep the lawmakers busy for the
next seven weeks:
/. Renewal of the Price Control
and Wage Sterilization Act-still
the subject of House hearings, but
due to be approved by the Senate
Banking Committee in about 10
days. %
Lease-Lend Action Awaited.
2. Extension of the Lease-Lend
Act-passed by the House and ex-
pected to 60 through the Senate be-
fore the middle of May.
g., Another boost in the national
debt limit, from $4,000 ,o00, 900 to
$3.50, 900 900, ,000-still awaiting ac-
ton by both the House Ways and
Means and the Senate Finance
Committees.
4. Simplified income tax bill
scheduled for House debate and pas
sage by Friday. Chairman George
OF the Senate Finance Committee
believes it also will receive prompt
action. in the upper chamber. a
5. A bill to expedite war contract
termination, through a new Once of
Contract Settlement, which is ready
to be reported to the Senate this
week.
6. A bill to outlaw State poll taxes,
which has passed the House, but
which faces filibuster by Southern
opponents when it is called up in
the Senate May 9.
Both branches have completed &C
ton on only two appropriation bills,
but seven others have passed the
House, three of the seven also have
passed the Senate and are In con-
ference. Three more of the House.
approved bills-covering Agriculture,
the Legislative establishment and
State Justice Commerce-are due
to be reported from Senate Com
mittee within a week.
At least five more appropriation
bills still remain to be drafted by
House Committee covering: District
OF Columbia, Labor Federal Security
Agencies, military, miscellaneous war
agencies and last-minute def
cheney bill. Funds to carry out the
extension of the Lease-Lend pro-
gram also must be recommended,
either separately or in one of the
remaining supply bills.
Chairman McKellar of the SEN
ate Appropriations Committee ex-
pressed confidence yesterday the
money bills all will be completed
De4Ult TIE NepuOIlCdn convention
meets in Chicago June 26.
Informed sources predicted Con-
gress will wind up for the summer
about June 20 There are differ
ing opinions about the length of
the recess. Some members favor
reconvening after the Democratic
convention, to be held in Chicago
July l9. 1t is more likely, however
the recess will extend from a few
days before the Republican con-
vention to Labor Day. This would
put Congress in session during
September, with another recess
probable during October when the
election campaign will be at its
height.
Debate to Start May 9.
Although leaders have agreed to
start the poll tax debate on May 8
they have not indicated how lone
they will keep it before the Senate
with filibuster on. Possibility OF
invoking the cloture rule, limiting