FINAL SESSION

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIX, Issue 21358, 6 December 1932, Page 9

FINAL SESSION

AMERICAN CONGRESS

IMPORTANT INTERNAL ISSUES PROHIBITION VOTE SOUGHT "HUNGER MARCHERS" AGAIN By Telegraph—Press Association—Copyright (Received December 5, 5.5 p.m.) WASHINGTON, Dec. 4 The final or so-called short session of the 72nd Congress will be convened at noon to-morrow and will continue until March 4 with the most important legislative calendar for many years. At the very opening, the highly-contro-versial subject of prohibition will be introduced, when the Democrat leaders will propose a resolution repealing the Eighteenth Amendment and requesting that the rules be suspended 1o allow an immediate vote to be taken. A two-thirds majority, or about 275 votes, will be needed for its adoption. As prohibition repeal was one of the cardinal features of the Democrat campaign platform, it is believed the success of to-morrow's vote is necessary to maintain the party's successful leadership. Other matters to be considered include farm relief, Philippine independence, beer, general unemployment, and depression relief, and, most important of all, fiscal legislation and war debts. Efforts will be made to revive the sales tax, which was defeated last session. Balancing the Budget in face of the tremendous and continually growing deficit is expected. Some inflation legislation, including a great expansion of currency to pay soldiers compensation will be offered, but its defeat is expected. The seriousness of the national economic situation is intensified by the presence in Washington of some 3000 so-called ' "hunger-marchers." The movement has been inspired by Communists among unemployed, and the men have journeyed to Washington to petition Congress for relief. The police arc taking every precaution to prevent riots similar to those at the bonus army eviction last summer. They have forbidden public processions, which order the leaders of the movement say they will ignore. In the past few days there has been considerable disorder in neighbouring States between the police and several contingents en route to the capital. The "hunger-marchers" are short of provisions, and are in a sullen mood.