THE CONGRESS: Coalition Caucus

There are more ways of choking a dog than by feeding him hot butter. There are more ways of getting some of the benefits of an extra session of Congress, President Hoover has found, than by calling an extra session. Last summer, when he felt that a one-year moratorium and suspension of interest payments on War debts must be announced, the President invented the "Congressional conference." He telephoned and telegraphed every member, talked with a few important ones. Within 24 hours he had sufficient support to announce his plan (TIME, June 29). The business world was saved the worry of a special session; the Government was spared expense. Last week, in effect. President Hoover called another special session.

On Tuesday at noon he announced: "The purpose of my conference with the members of Congress tonight is to advance a national unity in the setting up of constructive forces now working in the Depression." Day before. President Hoover had telegraphed 32 Democratic and Republican Senators and Representatives—all the important men of either house, including members of the Banking & Currency Committees—to meet him at the White House at 9 o'clock Tuesday evening. The President urged-secrecy, offered to put a plane at anyone's disposal.

But the only man to ride in one to Washington was grizzled old Representative John Nance ("Jack") Garner, Democratic floor leader who will be Mr. Speaker if the House falls into the hands of his party. Grumbling a little, he climbed over the olive-colored side of an Army ship at Uvalde, Tex. When the white-haired Texan climbed out stiffly at Boiling Field he remarked: "It didn't bother me even if it was the first time I was in one of the dang things. As soon as I got used to the noise it sang me to sleep." Fumbling in his pockets he found that his devout wife had armed him with a Bible text: "The spirit of the Lord watches over you and keeps you in perfect safety." Then he went over to the dismantled office of his old friend and political enemy, the late Speaker Nicholas Longworth of Ohio. He took one look at the room where he may sit after Dec. 7. remarked that it did not look the same "with Nick gone," put on his dinner coat and a taffy-colored fedora hat, went to the White House. At this point neither he nor anyone save the President, his Cabinet and sub-Cabinet knew what was in the wind.

A crowd of newshawks and photographers jammed the White House portico. . Secretary Mellon rolled up in his all-aluminum limousine, obligingly doffed a neat bowler to cameramen. Tousled Senator Borah barged through without giving anyone a chance to take his picture. Senator Watson of Indiana, always hearty with newsmen, arrived 20 min. early "to persuade the President to change his mind and give out an official statement at the conclusion of this conference." Undersecretary of the Treasury Ogden Livingston Mills came early to do the same.