Evening star., 1945-01-01
War Still Major Issue
Facing New Congress
Western Front Action to Effect
Legislative Program, Says Writer
Bv Gould Lincoln

Western Front Action to Effect
Legislative Program, Says Writer
BY Gould Lincoln
The 79th Congress assemblies here on
Wednesday with the war still the major
issue of the day. This is contrary, IN
considerable measure, to what was ex-
pected at the time of it's election No
vember T. The war situation cannot
fail to have it's psychological-and prac-
tical-effect on the legislative program
and on what things shall be first things.
Congress is always alive to public
sentiment The American people, re-
acting to the recent reversals on the
western front, are thinking more today
about winning the war and the effort
that must be made than they are about
remaking the country socially. The
Congress, feeling this impact, Will be
thinking along similar lines.
President Roosevelt Is expected to
submit his annual message on the state
of the Union to the legislators almost
Immediately. That he will discuss the
war situation and the needs OF the
armed forces goes without saying.
Whether he will include also his recon-
mendations for general legislation re-
mains to be seen. They might follow
in later messages. Having won his
fourth term election with the backing
of organized labor and many socalled
liberal groups, however, he may be ex-
pected to make proposals for legislation
somewhat to "the left of center" How
much to the left has not been disclosed.
Social LEGISLATION.
Before the unexpected turn of the war
In Europe, with the possibility of long
continued struggle, it was confidently
predicted that social legislation as well
as peace-time reconversion legislation
would be high on the program before
Congress. For example, the hackers OF
the Wagner -Dingell cradle to the
grave" social security bill were prepared
to demand immediate action on the
measure This bill languished in COM
mittee cubby holes throughout the last
CongreSs-shoved aside until the de-
mands of war could be met. 1t may be
delayed again.
There was talk of new tax legislation,
with an expressed hope that 1t would
be possible to reduce the high rates now
in effect But with the prospect OF
more anu ulOlt Wal dppl opl lotlOiioJ lllAo
now seems impossible.
Two measures, which members of the
House now in Washington feel will be
given the right of way in that body are
first, the bill for universal military train
ing and second, the proposed constltu-
tional amendment which will provide
for the ratification of treaties by ma
jorities of both houses of Congress, in
stead of by the present two-thirds vote
of the Senate.
The proponents of the military train
ing bill-a long time military policy for
the future so that this country will not
be caught unprepared as it was in 1917
and in 1941 in case Of future aggres-
sion-are firm in the conviction that ac
ton must be taken now, while the war
is on. The President already has ex-
pressed approval of such a policy. The
proposed constitutional: amendment will
pass the House, if brought forward, but
run into stone-wall opposition in the
Senate.
Postwar Job Problem.
There is one school of thought on
Capitol Hill which holds that Congress
must as quickly as possible deal with
the country when hostilities are over, or
on the wane. If 60O00,000 jobs are to
be provided, as has been promised, bust
ness must know how to plan with some
assurance 1t must know what is in
store for 1t in matters of taxation. labor
relations and social security legislation.
1t must also know what Is to be done
about reconversion to peace time in
dustry, and above all, what is to be done
about wartime contracts and the huge
stocks of materials which will be on
hand when the war is over.
The new Congress, or at least the
Senate. is expected to be confronted
with the proposed international organ
ization for the maintenance of peace.
Supporters of this proposal are exercised
greatly over the recent happenings on
the diplomatic front-in Poland and
Italy and Greece. They fear that any
more such events will seriously hamper
/ the drive for international collaboration
by this country after the war.
| 1t is all very different picture from
| that presented last summer and fall
| when representatives of the War De-
| partment were sent out to- talk with
bankers and manufacturers about the
termination of war contracts, and men,
bers of Congress were told the war would
| be over by fall and plans were being
| made for the return of 250,000 troops
| from the western front per month.
/