New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1916-12-04
PROMISE SPEED
ON LABOR BILLS
Clark and Kitchin Assure
President of Aid in
Congress
WORK FOR SESSION
WHICH OPENS TO-DAY
Wilson Considering Spe-
ciaI Message on Cost
of Living

Washington. Dec. Speaker CLARK
and Representative Kitchin, majority
leader Of the House, assured President
Wilson tonight that they would do all
they could TO hasten the passage OF
railroad legislation at the short session
Of Congress, which begins tomorrow
The President, who returned from Ne"
York this morning, has arranged TO de-
vote the next few days 70 work bearing
on the session.
He summoned the House leaders 10
secure their cooperation in pushing
legislation to supplement the Adsmson
law. This, he said, was of the utmost
importance, and he asked that IT take
precedence over all other general leg
islation. Both assured him that any
opposition 10 the labor bill would
come from the Senate, and that the
House would pass it without hest
tation.
Wants Holidays Eliminated
The President asked the House lead
ors if they thought there would be time
for enactment of new railroad laws be
fore March 4. Both told him they
thought there would be, and promised
20 make every effort to save time on
other matters.
Speaker Clark reminded the Presi-
den that Congress would have to pay
strict attention TO business, and asked
him to help eliminate the usual two
weeks holiday recess. In that two
weeks, the Speaker said, several i'm
portant appropriation bills might be
disposed OF.
President Wilson spoke briefly re-
garding other important measures,
among them the Webb bill TO permit
domestic corporations 10 maintain col
lective foreign selling agencies, the
corrupt political practices bill and con-
servation measures. Proposed embargo
legislation and issues raised by the
high cost of living were not mentioned
at the conference. In the opinion of
the House leaders, however, the subject
is bound TO demand attention.
Food Cost TO Be an Issue
There is no question" said Mr.
Kitchin. Chat various measures 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 considera-
ton OF railroad laws. OF course, | as
sumo to speak for the House onl y. l
90 not know what the Senate can do"
He was asked what would be done
with Representative Fitzgerald's en-
barge bill.
"There's no chance that any en-
barge act will pass" he said. You
can bet on that with perfect conf
dence."
THE matter of paramount impor-
lance" said Speaker Clark, "is time.
The President wants the railroad ques-
ton dealt with as soon as possible.
will do all | can, and | asked him 70
help me cut out the holiday recess.
That will help some"
Within a few days the President
plans TO talk with Senate leaders re-
garding the legislative programme, but
probably not until after he has deiiv-
cred his address to Congress on Tues
dav. Senator Kern, the majority leader.
has been delayed in reaching Washing
ton. owing to illness, but will arrive
tomorrow in time for the opening Of
the new session.
Scores of members of both houses
reached Washington to-day and to-
night, and full attendance of Con-
gress tomorrow is assured. One OF
the last to arrive was Viee-Presi-
dent Marshall.
President Centres Energies
The President has made few gen
eral engagements for the week, be-
cause Of his desire TO devote himself
almost entirely 10 conferences with
Congressional leaders, in an effort to
get the legislative machinery started
promptly. For this reason he prob
ably will accept few of the many in
vitations now before him.
No final plans have been made for
special message on the high cost Of
living, but Mr.. Wilson is understood
to favor this.
Mr. Wilson will follow his custom
of going before Congress personally
on Thursday to read his annual mes
sage. Wednesday he will entertain
Colonel and Mrs. Bryan at luncheon,
and Thursday night he will give a din
ner in honor of Vance c. Mccormick.
chairman of the Democratic National
Committee, to which have been in
vited members Of the Democratic and
Progressive campaign committees.
The visit of Mr. Mccormick is ex-
pected 10 be marked by the appoint
ment of chairman of the Inaugural
ton committee. Active plans for the
inauguration will be started then
Soon after Congress convenes the
President will make nominations to the
Tariff Commission, the Shipping
Board, and the board created by Con-