Evening star., 1950-11-07
The Political Min
The Political Min
81st Congress May Get
Call Before Nov. II
Koreu Developments Could
Bring Swift Truman Action
By Gould Lincoln


By Gould Lincoln
The 81st Congress is returning to
Washington for it's last fling at legisla-
ton on November 27-unless President
Truman should decide to call 1t earlier.
The President might be Influenced in
decision for an earlier call, either be-
cause of developments in the Korea war
or because of the results of the congress
sional election. Particularly, should the
war take a turn for the worse, with
Red" China moving further into the
picture.
The principal legislation awaiting ac-
ton are the bills granting statehood to
Hawaii and Alaska, both of which have
passed the House. On the Senate cal
endar and ready for consideration, these
bills are expected to lead to lengthy
debate. Indeed, the discussion might oc-
cupy the Senate from the time of the
reconvening of Congress until the
Christmas holiday, which will be fol-
lowed by the meeting Of the newly
elected 82d Congress.
Fits in Defense Plans
One of the main arguments for grant,
ing statehood to Hawaii and Alaska at
this time is that it will fit into the plans
for national defense. Against statehood.
it is urged that the large racial groups
in Hawaii impose too great problems. and
that the population of Alaska is so small
that it would have difficulty with the
proper upkeep of state government
However, statehood has been a promise
to Hawaii for many years, and II the
Hawaiian bill passes it is almost certain
n he Y1in hxy cEa
Senator OMahoney of Wyoming, chair
man of the committee handling the bills,
has declared strongly for action now. If
the bills are not passed in the coming
brief session, they die with this Con-
gress. New measures would have to be
introduced and take their chances in
the 82d Congress.
An excess profits tax has been
promised by congressional leaders and
Chairman Doughton of the House Ways
and Means Committee has called that
committee to meet November is to begin
work on bill for that purpose. In the
meantime, the Treasury Department ex-
perts have been mulling over the form
such tax should take, and the rates.
It's complex proposition. However, the
committee may be able to report a bill
meets and Congress assemblies The tax
bill, of course, would have to be passed
by the House first. Whether the Senate
will have time to act on an excess profits
tax before Christmas is another matter.
Committee to Meet Soon.
The watchdog" joint congressional
committee, headed by Senator Maybank
of South Carolina, created to watch the
operation of the controls law enacted by
Congress before it left Washington, also
has been called to meet soon. Many pro-
tests have been received against the cur
tailment of the number of monthly pay
ments by which automobiles may be
purchased. The regulation that pay
ments must be completed in fifteen
months is said to be particularly difficult
for working men and women.
Several weeks ago. it was reported that
President Truman intended to call Con-
greSS back ten days or two weeks before
the date set by Congress itself. Indeed.
it was rumored he would issue the call
at the time of his one and only campaign
speech, delivered last Saturday night.
But later reports have been he had cooled
to the idea of an earlier meeting Of the
legislators.
SOuS4CS0, WI1cn IL Qu1t 0CPCCAlUCI 6os
was unwilling to adjourn sine die with
a war on-many members feared adverse
comment if they went home to campaign
for reelection with the intention of not
returning until January. So it fixed No
vember 27 for its date Of return.
President Truman's Fair Deal program
contains many important items which
the 81st Congress has not been willing
to write into law. His proposed repeal o1
the Taft-Hartley labor law got nowhere
His plans for national compulsory health
insurance were not given consideration
in either house, nor has the Brannar
farm program reached first base. In ad-
dition, the civil rights program advocated
by the President, including an FEPC
Federal law, anti-lynch and anti-poll ta1
laws, and removal of racial segregation
remains just where 1t was when Congress
met.
None Of these important and contro.
versial measures would stand ghost oi
chance Of action in the coming shor
session, and all must go over to the new
Congress. whose political complexion vii
have much to do with their progress.