Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1917-03-08

national banking system to meet the
unusual circumstances of the existing
financial situation.
EXTRA SESSION NO REMEDY.
ut would not cure the difficulty To
call the sixtyfifth Congress in ex-
traortlinary session. The paralysis OF
the Senate would remain. The pur-
pose and the spirit of action are not
lacking now. The Congress is more
definitely united in thought and pur-
pose at this moment, ] venture to say
than 1t has been within the memory
Of any man now in it's membership
There Is not only the most united
patriotic purpose but the objects mem
bers have in view are perfectly clear
and definite. But the Senate cannot
act unless it's leaders can obtain
unanimous consent. Its majority is
powerless, helpless In the midst of 4
crisis Of extraordinary peril. when
only definite and decided action can
make the nation safe or shield it from,
war itself by the aggression of others
action is impossible.
U. S. CANNOT EXPLAIN.
although as a matter of fact the
nation and the representatives of the
nation stand back Of the executive
with unprecedented unanimity and
spirit. the impre made abroad will
OF course be that It is not so. and that
other governments may oct as they
please without fear thai this govern
ment can do anything at all. We can
not explain. The explanation is in
credible.
THE Senate of the United States is
| the only legislative body in the world
which cannot act when it's majority is
ready for action. A little group of
wilful men. representing no opinion
but their own, have rendered the great
government of the United States help
less and contemplate.
MUST CHANGE DEBATE RULES.
1.-THE remedy? There is but one rem
edy The only remedy is that the rules
of the Senate shall be so altered that
it can act. The country can be relied
upon to draw the moral. I believe that
the Senate can be relied on to supply
the means of action and save the coun-
try from disaster"
At the same time the President au-
thorized the further statement that
what rendered the situation even more
grave than 1t had been supposed
it was. was the discovery that, while
the President under his general consti-
tutional powers could do much of what
he had asked the Congress to empower
him to do. 1t had been found that there
were certain old statutes as yet unre-
pealed which may raise insuperable
practical obstacles and virtually may
nuuify his power.
CANNOT ACT INDEPENDENTLY
The old law referred to by the President
was adopted by Congress in 1873 and re-
ferred to the resistance Of American mer-
chantmen against the attacks of priva-
teers and pirates. but excluded from YES
sells which might be SO attacked "a pub
lie armed vessel Of a nation in amity with
the United States" Technically Germany
il not at war with the United States. and
submarines are but armed vessels OF
Germany.
The Presidents statement followed a
conference at the White House between
Mr.. Wilson, Secretary McAdoo, Postmas-
ter General Burleson, Col. E. NJ. House,
Vance Z. Mccormick and Secretary Tu-
multy.
It will be noted that the President re-
ferred to the opposition group as contain
ing II senator's, whereas Is who had OPP
portunity to do so failed to sign the mani
festo. Senator Penrose did not sign. but
said he would have voted for the armed
neutrality bill had opportunity been af-
forded. 1t was assumed that the Presi-
dent had eliminated also Senator Stone in
his list because Stone announced he OPP
posed the bill but did not opposesa vote.