Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-12-04
TINE IS A[L-ESSEAT|AL
TO WILSON'S PROGRAM
Congress Must Work Hard II Pro-
posed Measures Are Enacted
Into Law.
CLARK AND KITCHIN WILL AID
Promise President to Do All Within
Their Power to Hasten Passage Of
Railroad Legislation = Christmas
Holiday May BE Eliminated.

WASH NGTON. December 3.-Spcak-
er Clark and Representative kitchin.
majority leader OF the House. assured
President Wilson at White House
conference Tonight that they would
Il" All they could to hasten tho pas
sage OF railroad legislation at the short
session of Congress. which begins to-
morrow.
The President summoned the House
leaders - talk over with them the
leGiSia,iv. program and to secure their
cooperation In expediting important
measures. Legislation to supplement
the Adamson law, he said. was OF the
utmost Importance. and nc asked that
this be given precedence in consider
alton over all other general legisla-
tion. Realizing. that three months is
\ short period for considera ton OF gen
eral measures when appropriation bills
also must he passed. the President
asked the House leaders if they
thought there would be time for en-
actment of new railroad laws before
March 4. Both told him they thought
there would be. and promised to ex-
ert every effort to economize time on
other matters
ASKS HELP TO ELIMINATE
HOLIDAY OF TWO WEEKS
Speaker Clark reminded the Presi-
dent that Congress would have to pay
strict attention to business, and ask
Ell him TO help at the outset to elimin-
ate tho usual two weeks holiday re-
cess
President Wilson spoke briefly re
earding other important measures.
among them the Webb bill, to permit
domestic CORPORATIONS to maintain col
lectivc foreign selling agencies, the
corrupt political practices bill and con-
scrvation measures. Proposed embargo
legislation and issues raised by the
nigh cost OF living were not mention
ed at the conference, although tho
House leaders believe the subject is
bound to demand attention of the Con-
gress.
There is no question:" said Repre-
sentative kitchin. that various meas
ures aimed at high prices Of food will
be pressed. Discussion of that issue
is bound to consume time. but in spite
Of that. | think we can find time for
consideration OF railroad laws OF
course. ! assume TO speak for the House
only. don't know what the Senate
can do
The matter Of paramount import
*.
The President wants the railroad oles-
no" dealt with as soon as possible
Will do all can. and asked him to
help me to cut out the holiday recess.
That VIII help some"
PRESIDENT no TALK
WITH SENATE LEADERS
Within a few days the President pro
poses to talk with Senate leaders r,
gardin% the Legislative program, but
the conference probably will not be
h"id until he has delivered his address
|" congress on Tuesday. Senator Kern
'he hI'J"ritE leader. has been DELAYED
in reaching Washington owing to i'll
ness. but will arrive tomorrow i'm time
FOR the opening Of the new session
Scores OF members of both houses
reached Washington to-day and TO-
night. and Il fun attendance Of CON
;rcss tomorrow is assured One OF
the last To arrive was Vice-Presider,
Marshall who was given an cnthusi
aStic reception at the railroad st,t,ou
II : afternoon
The President has made few general
engagements for the week because OF
MS desire to devote himself almost an
'Tci? 10 conferences with congress
S'oh"i leaders IN an effort to Get IN.
'eSiSIa'iVe machinery started promptly.
r.NpectlhS To remain almost CON
s'ahtiF in Washington. the President
propabiN VIII accept few OF MANY in
Nithtons now before him To speak In
inherent places. No final plans hovc
becn made for delivering a special mes
s"se on the high cost Of living TO
congress later III the session, but Mr..
" ilson Is understood to favor taking
SUCH step when the opportunity Of
fors.
ON Wednesday the President will en-
tertain William j. Bryan and Mrs.
bryan at lunch in the White House.
and on Thursday night he will give n
Continued on Second pago.)