Work Done

The Senate:

P: Passed a bill for Philippine independence; sent it to conference with the House which passed a similar measure last session. Senate provisions: 1) a special Philippine convention would draft a constitution, submit it to popular vote; 2) if Filipinos ratified the constitution, a twelve-year period of semi-freedom would follow, at the end of which the Islands would automatically receive their full sovereignty; 3) during the preliminary period Filipino immigrants would be excluded from the U. S.; 4) after the seventh year U. S. tariffs would be gradually stepped up on Philippine exports. The House bill provides independence after eight years' probation. The Senate debate was trivial, shallow, time-killing, few members believing the bill would escape a Presidential veto. Farm lobbyists, eager to put Philippine sugar and vegetable oils outside the U. S. tariff wall, operated from Senator Capper's committee room just off the Senate lobby.

P: Rejected (4440-37) a motion to go into executive session to receive executive nominations from the President.

P: Received from the Interstate Commerce Commission a report stating that a six-hour day (instead of an eight-hour day) for railway labor would have no physical effect on operation or service by the carriers; but, without a corresponding cut in pay, would increase their operating costs $414,000,000 per year as of 1932. A six-hour day under normal conditions would make 300,000 to 350,000 new railway jobs.

P: Received from Utah's King a resolution declaring the President's reorganization plan (TIME, Dec. 19) invalid.

P: Received from Idaho's Borah a resolution to pay the Mexican Government $30,000 as an "act of grace" for the killing of two young Mexicans in 1931 by Oklahoma deputy sheriffs. A similar resolution was approved last week by the House Foreign Affairs Committee.

The House:

P: Passed the Treasury-Post Office appropriation bill ($963,416,597) after adding about $2,000,000 to the committee's total; sent it to the Senate. Included was a continuation of this year's forced furlough plan but omitted was the President's recommendation for an additional 11% cut on salaries over $1,000.

P: Received and debated the $43,162,904 Interior Department appropriation bill. Its total was $2,891,025 below the budget estimate. $23,990,780 below the current appropriation.

P: Received and debated a 3.2% beer bill (see p. 8).

P: Received from West Virginia's Bachmann a bill permitting veterans to sell their Bonus certificates, providing the purchaser first paid the Government its outstanding loan.

P: Received from Ohio's Cable a resolution proposing amendment of the Constitution by popular initiative and referendum.

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