Evening star., 1948-06-09
6. q, P. Leaders Seek
Flexible Adjournment
For Party Purposes
Fear Democrats Will Get
Campaign Issues Out Of
Failure to Act on Bills
Bv David Laurence

nv DdDfd Laurence
Republican leaders in Congress
are trying to decide whether they
should adjourn on June 10 or come
back between the two national con-
ventions, which would mean an end
ing Of the session on Saturday.
July 10.
The ostensible reason for the DOS
sible change in the original plan,
which was to wind up the session
on June 10, is that there is too much
unfinished business to go home. This
is but another way of saying that
the Democrats will make campaign
issues out of the failure to pass such
measures as are left by the wayside
The Republican Congress is mov-
Ing toward the end of six months of
hard work and, as usual. the bills
that are conspicuous in the log jam
of the moment are all far enough
along to be disposed of if there is
a willingness to act But when a
definite date for ending a session is
tentatively agreed on, there is some
times a countermove to delay and
force many bills to be lost in the
shuttle. Filibustering tactics often
are employed when there is a def
mite deadline beyond which the ses-
sion is not to extend.
Abrupt Change In Tactics.
When, as has happened in the last
"a hours. there are indications that
maybe the deadline will be moved
forward, an abrupt change in tactics
develops. The Republican Congress
naturally feels that the Democrats
can charge inaction if the ma ajority
leaders have taken the initiative in
limiting the time Of the session. To
prolong the session, however, beyond
the Democratic convention and re-
cess in between the two party con-
claves would be to keep Congress
here after July 19. This Is likely to
interfere with the plans of most
members for their respective po-
htical campaigns. 1t is particularly
hard on those members up for
reelection who have considerable
opposition either in the primaries
or in the finals. The opponent who
is at home has all the advantage
in being able to campaign the State
or district while the incumbent is
kept in Washington.
The pressure to prevent Congress
from running into the campaign
would bring adjournment no later
than July 10, which is the Saturday
just before the Democratic Ma
tional Convention. 1t may now be
doubted even whether the deadline
of June 1o will not be met despite
the word that no agreement will be
reached till just before that date
arrives.
The Republican leaders are well
aware that flexible adjournment
date is conducive to a speedup and
prevents fllibusters. But there is in
the present situation much more
than mere maneuvers involved.
Congress has been importuned to
do something about housing. The
House of Representatives has been
withholding action. Now, as it
appears that criticism of Congress
for doing nothing about the mea-
sure is rising, substitute bill with
out some of the controversial fea-
lures will be passed by the House
and sent to conference where fur
ther compromises may be expected.
For Campaign Purposes.
It is probable that with flexible
adjournment date, the Republicans
will act on more measures than had
been previously approved by the
leaders as must" This will make
the record OF the Republican Party
better for campaign purposes. 1t is
important to note that when the
present session ends, either this
month or next, and if no national
emergency arises to bring the men,
bers back, the Eightieth Congress
will have completed its work. There
will be no further opportunity to-
add to or subtract from that leg
islative record unless an emergency
occurs, and this is unlikely to arise
from anything domestic.
Only an international crisis re-
quiring authority for the President
would bring Congress back. The
leaders doubtless will insert in their
resolution that the majority party
in Congress, through the Speaker
and the Senate President Pro Tenn,
NAV call both Houses into session
or that the President may do so.
The probabilities are that the re-
cess will last at least until after the
November elections. If the Repub-
licans win, they will not be inclined
to let the members Of the defeated
party get another chance to vote
on legislation. Conversely, If the
Democrats win, they will want to
get approval from Congress on
list of presidential nominations and
on other proposals that will be
sought by the next administration.
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