Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1917-02-05
Paytisamshib Is Cast Aside
By the Leaders IN Congress
While War Clouds Gather
[Republican A. p. Leased Wirel

Republican A. P. Leased Wirel
WASHINGTON, Feb. 4.-Con-
gress, aroused to patriotic support
of the president, calmly awaits de-
velopments in the diplomatic
breach with Germany.
Ready to act quickly and ade-
uuateIy in any emergency admin
istration leaders are in constant
touch with executive departments,
with legislative machinery pre-
pared for expeditions disposition
of extraordinary revenue and de-
fensiVe measures.
While hopeful that the break
with the imperial German govern
ment will not force tpe United
States into var, leaders already
have cast partisanship aside, iegis-
lative squabbles over minor mat
ters have been tempered and the
legislative branch is standing by
to respond 20 any demand for pro
lection of the nation n the inter
national crisis.
Important measures bearing on the
situation already are under consldera-
ton in both houses, among them the
annual naval Appropriation bill. to
which emergency amendments have
been proposed since the president ad
dressed congress yesterday The bill
carrying more than S350,O00.000 for
naval maintenance and construction,
viii be taken up again Tuesday with
prospects of passage before adjourn
ment that night.
An amendment to be offered by Rep
resentatiVe Britten OF Illinois would
appro pirate an additional 100000
for the immediate completion of IS war
vessels already authorized now in Vari
Gus stages OF construction. Another,
suggested by Secretary Daniels and
shaped by Representative Padsett
chairman of the naval committee,
would empower the president &c com
mandeer private ship building yards
and munition plants when in MS opin-
ion the interests of the country re-
quire such action. Spea<er Clark and
other house leaders tonight said they
believed tre amendment would DC
adopted.
In addition to the regular approp-
ration bill, there is pending in the
senate, with growing sentiment IN faV-
or of its passage, a special bill, pre-
sented by Senator Poindexter, provid-
ing for immediate construction of 100
submarines in addition to II carried IN
the regular appropriation bill.
The crisis also finds the house mill
tary committee ready With the current
army bill carrying S275,000,0 900. sub
ject, however, to any change that ext
gencies may demand. The committee
will meet tomorrow to consider new
legislation and suggestions may be re-
ceived from the secretary of war.
Under existing law the president has
authority 70 increase the regular army
to full war strength of 2S6, 900 Officers
and men in case of war or threatened
war. He also has authority to call or
the national guard. -ro.v having some
10000 available men. Under the law
the guards full strength, 100000, can
not be acquired untn tne expiration OF
four years.
Emergency military defense chang
es will be urged in case of hOstilities
Champions of universal military ser
vice already are rene wing their advo-
cacy Of pending legislation on that
subject, hopeful that present cOndi-
tiCns may bring action in the near fu-
ture.
To safeguard interests of the ma
ton against cOnsplTacies, consideration
is being rushed in the senate of meas
ufeS SuSSesteu Dy tne attorney general
to strengthen the statutes under which
prosecutions may be brought against
offenders within the United States who
further the interests Of foreign govern
ments.
The judiciary committee Of the sen
ate, urged to action by the administra e.
ton, will meet tomorrow to consider a
CONTINUED on Page Three)