The Congress: The Three-Second Symbol

The Constitution provides that during a session of Congress neither house may "adjourn for more than three days." Last week, accordingly, both houses went through the motion of meeting a couple of times. One token meeting of the Senate, with two members present, lasted just three seconds — a speed rec ord of sorts. The week's performance, which included a July 4th holiday, might stand as a symbol of the 88th Congress — the do-nothingest of modern times.

The No. 1 Goal. The 88th has passed and sent to the President only four items of legislation. One was a measure...

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