The sun., 1916-12-03
Wilson Appears to Have Better
Party Support Than a
Year Ago.
WORKS ON COST OF LIVING
President Will Probably Pre-
sent His Legislative Pro-
gramme Tuesday.

amount Of legislation In a limited time.
the sixty-fourth Congress will convene
on Monday for its final session.
II n becoming apparent to observers
here that with the election out Of the
way the disposition of the Admin.sti alton
10 to take things rather easy. The Presi-
dent. however. Is not confronted with as
dificult q situation as that which faced
him q year Ago.
Then there was dissent over his pro-
gramme regarding preparedness and
other matters, but according to opinion
here the President now is In a better po-
sltion to command support from his party
In Congress.
This Is largely because Of the recogni-
ton that his reelection was In the No.
ture Of a personal triumph. as shown'b by
the fact that he ran ahead Of his ticket
almost everywhere and because party
leaders are looking to him to save them
two years from now and brine about "A
Democratic Congress In place OF the
almost evenly divided body which they
will have on their hands In the next two
year,.
Time Limit Obstacle.
The President will present a pro-
gramme Of legislation. probably on Tues
day. Time will be the chief obstacle
in carrying this out. for the present Con-
eress expires March 4 next. and In add
ton to the pros osed legislation II must
pass the usual supply bills.
The two subjects of chief importance
with which Congress Is called upon to
deal are the railroad question and the
food supply problem. the latter having
arisen as n result OF the war In Europe.
In connection with the railroad ques.
tion there looms in the opinion OF many
in Congress a struggle between capital
n labor which may make The session
an eventful one. The brotherhood chiefs.
now In alliance with Samuel Gompers
and the American Federation OF Labor.
comprising upward OF $500. 600 workers.
arc preparing TO fight any legislation
by Congress that will take away from
them the privilege of striking when they
see At In labor disputes.
This includes opposition TO the Pres..
dents plan for compulsory !nvcst!ga-
ton Of railroad disputes during whicl
the workers would be forbidden to cali
= strike. and also TO any legislation call
ing for compulsory arbitration. The
Adanson law. passed last summer. has
left q bad impression on many. and leg.
islation to curb the power OF these labor
leaders is almost certain to be intro
duced in addition TO the Presidents pro-
gramme.
Extension of InvestiRatioa.
Uncertainty was introduced to-day
into the situation in regard to the pro-
posed railroad legislation when 1t be-
came known that members OF the joint
committee now investigating the matter
had about come 70 the conclusion that
they could not complete their work
in time for recommendations to be
made during the coming session
and would probably ask FOR an extern
sion o: time until the next regular ses-
sion In December. They believe they
will have TO sit all summer to get the
needed information on which to base
legislation.
There is some interest to know how
the President will feel about this. 1,
Is known that he believes that the,e
should be railroad legislation u. this
session. Yet to press for legislation
while Congress WAS In the miost of an
investigation Of the subject would place
him In rather a strange position.
Indications are that the railroads
would prefer to see the matter investi'
gated thoroughly. They take the posi-,
ton anyway that the public has more al
stake In the matter OF getting enlarged
facilities than the railroads themselves
The President. however. will probabi,
press at least some Of the features of his
proposed railroad legislation in spite OF
the action OF the joint committee. III
will insist that Congress pass the com
pulsory arbitration plan. for ne has mad,
up his mind that the interests OF tn,
country demand this at once.
AdamsOn Il VS. status,
Again II Is also taken for granted tina
should the Supreme Court declare tn,
Adamson law unconstitutional an enorr
will be made, with the Presidents back
tng. 10 redraft the law in order to fulf
the promise made to the labor leader,
last summer. The brotherhood chief
have served notice that they would holt
the President to his promise, The feai
is still entertained In many quarters tina
should the Supreme Court hold the lav
unconstitutional and Congress fail 4
remedy the situation at once the broth
erhoods would call another strike.
II is pointed out. however. that will
the compulsory investigation plan on tn
statute books they would he stopped fror
doing this until the eight hour day ques
ton had been investigated. II Is pos
boa kteh teNh Y ttth1 10 ldSSC
before the court renders its decision.
The present high cost OF living Is cast
ing another shadow over the delibera
lions Of the forthcoming session. Rep
resentative Fitzgerald will introduce a
embargo resolution which will find man,
Importers. Resolutions providing or
Federal investigation OF the food situa
ton will also be offered. The legislativ
course of both varieties o, measure
aimed at the high cost OF living wi
be etrewn with obstacles
After President Wilson has conclude
his address before Congress Tuesday,
Is possible he may deliver a brief ad
dress dealing with the high cost G
living.
The Presidents plans on the subjes
as yet are Indefinite and may not h
matured until the last moment befor
he goes to Congress. II IL known. how
ever, that the Administrators conside,
the cost of living one Of the most press
ing questions before the country an
that many OF the Presidents closest a,
visers favor considering II In the legii
lative programme.
Demand for an Emb In rgO.
Thousands OF petitions are pourin
into the White House calling for son
sort OF relief from the presen, era
higher prices for food, many Of the
demanding an embargo on food expor
to Europe.
The course which the President In vi
derstood to favor Is rather an extensio
OF present laws to meet alleged col