Evening star., 1960-01-06
CONGRESS
Johnson Calls on Senators to Work
Longer Hours to Meet DeodIine

the condolences OF the Senate
to Senator Thurmond. Demo-
tcrat of South Carolina. on the
death of his wife this morning.
+ Tribute to Langer
The Senate then recessed as
IA mark of respect to Senator
sLanger, who died during the
srecess.
& Senate Republicans are hold
ing a party conference this
afternoon, and the Democrats
will confer tomorrow afternoon.
Senator johnson said he
would deliver a statement to
the Democratic conference,
which is expected to cover the
swhole field of issues he dis
2cussed with reporters today.
On civil rights, the Majority
Leader said he would support
his own bill. based on concilia-
tion, but declined to go into
"details on other remedies which
may be offered. He said the
Federal registrar plan of the
Civil Rights Commission, to
Insure voting rights, probably
would be considered.
Action on Poll Taxes
He also listed a constitution
al amendment to prohibit poll
taxes among bills the Senate
viii take up.
Discussing the atmosphere
that will prevail in this elec-
ton year, Senator johnson
said it would pe unrealistic to
pretend that members of Con-
gresS will not be interested in
the political situation. He said
all Of us have to be concerned
with the people back home or
we would not be here" But
ne insisted efforts will be made
to work out constructive Solu-
tions to all Of the pending is
sues.
Mr.. Rayburn made it clear
he would do nothing to delay
House consideration of the civil
rights bill If its sponsors OBJ
tain the necessary signatures
for discharge petition. Ju-
dietary Committee Chairman
Celler, Democrat of New York.
said today that about $50
members already have signed
and another so or 10 have
promised to do so.
Mr.. Rayburn also made clear
that the February Is date for
Senate debate on the civil
rights issue would not prevent
the House from acting earlier.
"The sooner a bill gets
through the House and Senate
the sooner it can get to the
White House." he said.
Cooperation Due
In listing numerous meas
ures he hopes the House will
enact at this session, Mr.. Ray
burn promised that I'VE are
going to Cooperate with Prnsi-
dent Eisenhower in everything
we think is right"
A reporter recalled that con-
gressional Democrats seemed to
be divided on whether to CO.
operate with the President, If |
at all possible, or to take a !
much stronger opposition stand
against the administration in
this presidential election year. |
II want to tell you that I was
not working last year merely to
cooperate with President Eli
senhower," Mr.. Rayburn re-
piled. Il was working with my
fellow Democrats to get the best |
legislation we could in the best
interests of the country. 1t is a
question Of all of us co-operat- |
ing with each other to get the
best possible legislation"
Measures Listed
Measures listed by Mr.. Ray
burn as likely to be considered
by the House at the new session
included:
Housing legislation, some kind
Of school construction aid bill, |
an minimum wage increase
and coverage for groups not
presently affected;
Some revision of the Social
Security Act. although Mr.. Ray
burn said he doubted that Con-
gress would adopt any extensive
medical care and hospitaliza-
tion provisions;
Legislation affecting interest
rates on long-term Govern
ment bonds.
Mr.. Rayburn said he hoped
the House will pass "a farm bill
OF some kind" He added how
ever, that he and other Demo-
cratic leaders were DessImistic
about the prospect of getting
a bill that would be satisfactory
to the White House
A series Of press conferences
yesterday by individual mem
bers gave off rumblingS of
the political storm to be ex-
pected on Capitol Hill as both
parties maneuver for advantage
in the coming election.
Leaders hope to dispose of
all essential business by July
4, week before the first of the
political conventions, but vet
eran observers are betting they
will have to come back in Au-
gust to finish the legislative
program.
Calls for Economy
Representative Cannon, DEM
ocrat of Missouri, veteran chair
man Of the House Appropria-
tionS Committee, sounded the
annual cry for economy. He
said he was disappointed by re-
ports that the new budget, due
to be submitted January 10,
will total about s81 billion, and
added, 1T must be cut"