Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-05-15
80 Days at War with Germany
But Congress Continues to Talk
ADJOURNMENT BY JUNE NOW STRETCHED TO THE
MIDDLE OF AUGUST-BUT TWO ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Deciarng State of War; and the Seven Billion Dollar
Passed Summary of Standing of the War Program

Washington. May 1.-THE United
states has been at war with Germany
81 days and virtually all the measures
through which this government is to do
its part in the world conflict still are in
the talking stage in Congress. The ac-
embellishments since President Wilson
convened the special war session on An
ri have been passage of the resolu-
ton declaring state of war with Ger
many and enactment of the 81 900 OOO
0nn war loan law
Those who predicted that Congress
would provide the nation with the
means for making war successfully and
adjourn by June. now have extended
their estimates to the middle of August.
Pressed for speed by the administra-
tl"n on one side, and on the other by
Constituencies at home demanding ac-
t!Cn. Congress faces many big things TO
Sc and do quickly if the aid of the
United States in the world war is to be
ui its full value.
The War Program
As Congress today went into it's 37th
working day the war program stood this
way:
war tax bll-Under debate in the
House and up for public hearings in the
Senate finance committee. At the pres
cnt rate of progress it probably will be
Up before one house or the other for at
least n month.
Army bill-In conference again to
thresh over the action of the House in
restoring the so-called Roosevelt
amendment. 1t provides the army the
Allies need in France
Food control bills-Debated one day
in the House-an entirely different form
of bill has been introduced in the SEN
ate.
shipping bills-The bill to vest legal
tin" to the seized German ships in the
government has passed both houses but
is in conference for reconciliation Of
differences; the bill to appropriate $780,
600 for start on the great merchant
fleet to overcome the submarine men,
ace has not yet been introduced and
may not be. while plans are being dis
cussed of paying for the ships out of
the $1,000, 100000 loan. The bill to au-
thorize the taking over of shipbuildng
facilities and ships building for foreign
account has been introduced but is not
yet under consideration.
Espionage bill-the House in pass
ing the measure retained the newspa-
per censorship section demanded by
the administration but did not enact
an embargo section which the admin
istration wants to keep supplies from
going to Germany through neutrals
The Senate has passed its bill with
outa censorship or prohibition provis-
ions. The real enactment of this prob
ably will be in conference where the
administration will bring pressure to
have both censorship and embargo
sections inserted in acceptable terms
Frohihition-as. an amendment to
the espionage bill, the Senate has
eliminated "A section prohibiting the
manufacture of Intoxicating liquors
from food grains. Various prohibition
proposals are pending in the House.
The normal strength of the prohibi
ton forces in Congress coupled with
the rising prices Of food, present a
likelihood of some action to prevent
foodstuffs from being manufactured
into liquor, at least during the war.
Federal reserve law amendments
these additions to the existing bank
law were proposed by the administra
ton To bring more banks into the Fed
cral reserve system and by liberating
the reserve requirements. increase the
gold holdings of the system more than
$500 0O0, 900. Congress was told their
enactment would prepare the Federal
reserve system for practically any
shock il might be called upon to sus-
tain.
In addition to these principal meas
ures there are a few others which
have administration sanction and
4 %
pass before adjourning.