Evening star., 1947-06-15
Hatch Sees Revision
OF Taxes. Conscription
Justifying Fall Session.
By J. A. OLeory

Universal military training and
comprehensive revision of Fed
eral tax laws were cited yester-
day by Senator Hatch, Democrat,
of New Mexico as two of the i'm
pertant subjects that he believes
would justify Congress in recon-
vening early in the fall.
Although the House Armed Serv-
ices Committee will resume hearings
Wednesday on the universal train
ing program recently recommended
by presidential commission as a
cog in national defense, plans, there
appears to be little or no hope for
action this session if Congress ad-
heres to the July 81 adjournment
date fixed In the Congressional Re-
organization Act. Appropriation bills
will consume most of the remaining
time. a.
Members of Congress will be anx-
ious to wind up the 1913 session
early next summer to get on with
the national election. Senator Hatch
pointed out as further reason why
the House and Senate should take
only a short vacation this year.
Amendment Is Urged.
He asserted that actually the busi-
ness of legislating for this country
has become a -the-year job
and said it would be good idea
to amend the Reorganization Act
to recognize this. He would leave
Congress only a midsummer vaca-
ton period
Senator Hatch took notice of the
likelihood that it would be difficult
to pass some unfinished business
next year, because of the political
atmosphere the approaching cleo
ton campaign will generate.
Referring specifically to universal
training, he said: ANY campaign
year makes passage of bill of that
kind problematical, regardless of its
merits"
Tax Bill Seen Next Year.
While there is sharp difference
of opinion between Republicans and
Democrats over an immediate $4,-
600 ,00O, 900 cut In individual income
taxes, the fate of which President
Truman may settle tomorrow, there
Is expected to be general accord on
a comprehensive revision of the tax
laws next year. The House Ways
and Means Committee has begun
public hearings on such a long
range tax revision. Senator Hatch
pointed out that a fall session would
give the House committee more time
for that task.
The subject of adjournment will
be live issue this week, as Repub-
lican leaders of both houses confer
informally to decide on the date and
method of winding up the session
Chairman Taft of the Senate Re
publican Policy Committee has an
nounced he will go over the question
with House leaders, probably Tues
day.
The Reorganization Act OF 1S46
fixes the last day of July as the nor
NAL adjournment date, except In
time of war or National emergency,
and unless otherwise provided by
the Congress"
CalI-Back Provision Possible.
There have been some indications
that House leaders are thinking oil
an adjournment resolution that
would enable the leaders of the two
houses to call Congress back To
Washington at any time before
January, if they deemed it neces-
sary. Such an adjournment plan
was adopted several times during
the war period. If they should ad-
journ without such plan, or with
out fixing a daJe to reconvene, only
the President could call them back
before January.
Senator Hatch believes they should
merely recess for summer vaca-
ton and fix a date for another ses-
sion in the fall.
From Senator johnson, Democrat,
OF Colorado came evidence, how
ever, that the Hatch viewpoint Is
not unanimous. Said the Colora-
doan:
Il can see lot of things on the
horizon making it unadviSable to
come back in the fall. One of the
things that is wrong with Congress
is too much Washington. We need
little grass-roots psychology, to
get back home and find out what
the people are thinking"
Senator johnson said he believes
the members of Congress can de-
pend on President Truman to call
them back into session before jan
uary If any problems should de-
velop to make it necessary.