Evening star., 1948-05-24
Must Bills Threaten
Congress Plans for
Recess by June 18
BY the Assoeioted Press

BY the Assoeioted Press
A thick stack of must" bills
cast a dark shadow today over
plans of Republican leaders to
adjourn Congress June l8 or 10.
Senators probably will 60 on an
extra-hour shift this week and be-
gin night sessions later in an effort
to jam through a bundle of con-
troversial bills. Congressional lead
ers hope to quit on June 10, but it is
generally predicted that 1t might be
the following day-Saturday, June
19-before they actually do.
But unless the lawmakers can
avoid the usual session-end squab-
bles, the best guess today is that
they will be able only to recess for
the Republican and Democratic ma
= tional conventions and then return
to finish the job during the sum-
mer.
Complicating the tightly packed
legislative schedule Is report that
one top-ranking Republican Sem
ator is carrying an anti-poll tax
bill around in his pocket. He plans
to offer it as an amendment to
any House-passed bill that affords
any kind of peg for it.
Plan Would Cause jam.
That would be certain to cause a
fillbuster by Southern Democrats.
Many of them have promised to
talk indefinitely to prevent enact
ment of any of the civil rights"
measures asked by President Tru-
man.
. The Senate planned to resume
debate today on the annual farm
appropriation providing more than
$1,000 100000 for the Agriculture
Department.
SO far Congress has sent to Mr..
Truman only four of the more than
a dozen appropriation bills which
have to be passed before the new
fiscal year begins July l.
Perhaps the most controversial OF
the money bills will be the one
making available actual funds for
the European Recovery Program
and other foreign aid projects.
These now are being financed out
of Reconstruction Finance Corp.
funds. The appropriation bill has
not yet reached the House floor.
where all money allotments must
originate.
Senator Lists Other 'Musts.'
Here are other measures listed as
"musts" by top-ranking Senator
who refused use of his name:
Repeal of oleo taxes-the House
has approved and the Senate
Finance Committee has completed
hearings. Probable Senate amend
ments make the bills fate un-
certain.
Draft-both Senate and House
Armed Services Committees have
approved peacetime selective serv-
ice bills that would require two
years active duty for men 10
through Is years. Senators are
dropping a plan to train l6l 900 1S-
year olds for one year as a sub
stitute for universal military train
ing. The Senate may debate its bill
late this week but the House Rules
Committee still is holding hearings
on when to let debate start on
that side of the Capitol.
Displaced persons-the Senate will
debate this week on bill to admit
100000 European war refugees dur
ing the next two years. Some SEN
ators want to double the number
and liberalize terms. d,
Trade Debate Scheduled.
Reciprocal trade-The House is
scheduled to begin debate Wednes-
day on a one-year extension OF the
Reciprocal Trade Agreement Act.
II contains restrictions opposed by
the administration. Senate action
Is uncertain.
Atomic Committee tenure-Senate
leaders plan to push through a bill
extending for % months the terms
OF Chairman David E. Lilienthal
and four other members of the
Atomic Energy Commission. Presi-
dent Truman has nominated the
same men for staggered terms of
one to five years beyond August l.
Floor fights are certain in both the
Senate and House with hints of
another presidential veto.
Mundt Nixon - the House has
passed this measure requiring regis
tration and reports by Communists
and Communist front groups. The
Senate Judiciary Committee has not
yet held hearings but Republican
Senate leaders plan some action.
U. S. Pay Increase Pending.
Long-range farm bill-Both Sem
ate and House Agriculture Commit
tees are pressing for passage OF
similar measures, but the Senate
group has not yet completed agree
ment on details. This may be lost
in the adjournment rush.
Government pay increases-Both
Senate and House Civil Service
Committees favor the idea but dis
agree as to amounts.
Tidelands-The House has ap-
proved bill that would give States
title to so-called tidelands, some of
which contain rich oil reserves. A
similar Senate bill is tied in the Ju-
dietary Committee.
Housing-The Senate has passed
a long-range housing bill sponsored
iby Senators Taft, Elllender, Demo-
,crat, of Louisiana and Wagner,
Democrat, of New York. House
,leaders are opposed to the public
housing and slum clearance provi-
'sions. The deadlock may mean no
Legislation.