Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1947-06-08
Congress May End
War Before Recess;
$50 Laws Involved

Congress may decla4e an end to
both the national emergency and
the war-as far as most OF the
extraordinary wartime laws are
ccncerned-before It's adjournment
late in July.
Chairman Wiley of the Senate
judiciary Committee told a re-
porter yesterday he will name a
subcommittee tomorrow to start
hearings Tuesday on joint resolu-
ton to accomplish this purpose.
Ser. Wiley said he believed the
hearings need to last only a few
days" He predicted there would
be time for both House and Senate
TO act on the resolution before the
session ends.
The resolution, introduced by
Senator Wiley on Thursday, would
not affect international relations.
In that field, the war will end upon
the signing of the peace treaties.
Would Keep 66 Laws.
However, Senator Wiley's proposal
would preserve only 66 of the war
and emergency statutes. There now
are about $50 on the books, he said
of which about half contain specific
expiration dates
The other half remain in force
for the duration of the war, or until
the end of the emergency, or FOR
some stated period thereafter-ln
most cases. six months.
The resolution would erase these
from the statute books, except for
the list ,of Sc. The list, he empha-
sized. is tentative and subject to
change" as the hearings progress.
Members of the committee staff
said the Administration and the
committee are in fairly close &C
cord" on which laws can be dropped,
although Administration officials
wish to keep some powers which
Senator Wiley would scrap.
Troop Priority Questioned.
There is agreement, for instance,
that the power to arm merchant
vessels should continue, as well as
the power to make temporary ap-
pointments of Army and Navy Off
GERS. There is disagreement on the
Presidents power to give transpor-
tation priority to the movement OF
troops; Wiley's bill would end 1t.
Meanwhile, it appeared likely that
extension will be voted for two
emergency laws due to expire at the
end of this month-the Export Con-
troll Act. under which the President
regulates overseas shipment OF 400
commodities, and the Second War
Powers Act, now renamed the first
Decontrol Act of l947.
Following hearings on these laws
Friday, House Majority Leader Hal
leck said the House probably will
approve extensions.
The Second War Powers Act au-
thorizes controls over the sale and
Use of tin, cordage, antimony and
uuinine, restricts imports of sugar
and rice, and gives priority to the
export of machinery and materials
for construction work abroad.
Would End Seizures.
June 30 will bring the end OF the
Governments power to hold private
properties seized during the war. in
Guiding the $500 soft coal mines
taken over during last winters soft
coal strike.
The seizure power ended last De-
cember 81 when President Truman
proclaimed the end of hostilities. All
properties then held by the Govern
ment were required to be returned
within six months.
Also due to expire on June 30
except that Congress now is writing
legislation to prevent its the war
time increase in postal rates. Con-
gress already has voted continuance
Of the high wartime excise tax rates
on furs, jewelry, liquor and other
items, which otherwise would have
dropped down to prewar levels at