National Affairs: Setting the Date

The 82nd Congress will reconvene next Jan. 8, instead of Jan. 3, as prescribed (but not required) by the 20th amendment to the Constitution. Senate Majority Leader Ernest McFarland observed that Jan. 3 was Thursday, a wasteful day, and suggested that the date be pushed forward to the following Monday, Jan. 7. House Speaker Sam Rayburn gently suggested another push to Tuesday, the 8th. His reason: the Monday meeting would require him to travel on Jan. 6, his 70th birthday.