Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-10-07
CONGRESS BRINGS
MOST MOMFNTOUS
SESSION TO CLOSE
Thrilling Debate on Alleged
Disloyalty of La Toilette
Marks Last Day.
VEHEMENT CRITICISM
FOLLOWS HIS DEFENSE
Arrangements Completed for
Investigation of Wisconsin
Senator's St. Paul Speech.
FINAL MATTERS DISPOSED or
Nominations Of Pershin1 and Bliss
to BE General Conf1rmSd -, sres-
ident at Capitol I
FINAL MATTERS DISPOSED on
LEV Aasoc,a ted .Pfeaa,1.

midst of a days thrilling debate ON na
alleged disloyalty OF Senator La Fo1S s
lette, of Wisconsin. the extraordinarys e
session OF Congress, which began,
April 2. and generally regarded as the,
most momentous in American history. ~
was adjourned sine die at P. Msto-lY NJ
day.
Vehement criticism OF the wlnconsia 3
Senator and his own defense occtpyinEs
virtually the entire day. marked sthef 81
close Of the war session, with other
customary adjournment and Legislative J
procedure. including President Wilson'S
attendance at the Capitol. The usual 81
eleventh grist OF legislation was
put through. following six months OF
important war action, and tonight
most of the members who had remained
for the final day were en- route homo
to await the call OF the next session.
December 8.
With galleries crowded to their ca. $
pacity. the Senate chamber was the y
scene of five hours stirring discussion
OF Senator La Follette's attitude. but (
in the House there was little to mark \
tho occasion except submission of y
committee report mildly ccnsuring =
Representative Hehin. OF Alabama, for N
-lellOW-memDeTS In COnneC-ts
tion with Count Won Bcrnstorn's re-
influence Congress- t8l
DECLARES INTENTION TO S
FOLLOW SAME COURSE
The day began with three hourss.F
speech by Senator La Toilette in do Il
tense Of his criticisms OF war ques-
tions. Without mentioning his recent
address before the Nonpartisan League s
at st. Paul. for investigation Of which
arrangements were completed to-day
by Senate subcommittee or naming
any of his critics. Mr.. La Toilette read
a carefully prepared defense of his
course, and declared his intention ito
follow 1t in the future. He was inter-
rupted only once. and was applaudedl
by the galleries when he closed.
Senator's Kellogg, OF Minnesota, ana s
Fall. of New Mexico. Republicans, and
Robinson. OF Arkansas. Democrat. res
piled with criticisms of Mr.. La Fol-
lette's public statements. They de-
nounced what they termed his unpa-
triotic stand, Senator Robinson assert.
ing that IL he held such opinions he d
would seek a place in the German
Bundesrath. Statements accredited to
tho Wisconsin member in his st. Paul
speech were fatty contradicted. espe-
cially that regarding former Secretary
OF State Bryan's knowledge of ammu- =
milton being on the Lusitania before
she sailed on her fatal voyage. .ss
Apparently stung by tho criticism,
Senator La Toilette made an unsuc-
cessful effort to get time for re-
sponse. He succeeded In stating that
he wished to make known authority
for his declaration regarding tho Lusi-
tania, and tonight announced he would
issue public statement Tomorrow
On Monday the Senate Privileges and &
Elections Investigating subcommittee
will meet to investigate his ST. Paul
speech, including the Lusitania inci-
dent.
PRESIDENT IN HIS ROOM
TO SIGN FINAL BILLS
During Interruptions of the days de-
bate Congress found time to dispose
OF a few last-moment matters, with
President Wilson In attendance during
the last hour In his room near the SEN
ate chamber signing bills. Secretaries
Lansing and Redfeld and Postmaster
General Burleson accompanied the
President. into whose room floated
of the La Toilette criticism
from the Senate floor. - - :! I
Among the last acts of Congress-
were confirmation In open session OF
many nominations, hastily sent in by
tho President including those Of Majors
Generals Pershing and Bliss to be gem
erals. ,s9;;5s
score of minor bills also were
passed by both houses, rushed through
engrossing and to the Presidents pen.
while the House virtually marked time 4,
waiting for the La Toilette discussion
to end.
The usual adjournment scenes were
re-enecated with addresses by Vice..
President Marshall and Speaker Clark
and resolutions Of courtesy to the pre-
siding officers. who both urged the
to speak at home for the new
Liberty loan. S
In his address. vice-PresIdent Mar
shall, who left tonight for Phoenix.
Ariz.. said:
II think 1t Is my duty, whenevergI
may BIO called on to speak. to voice my
belief In the justness and necessity
OF this war"
The Senate virtually had set aside
the day for discussion Of Senator La 36
Follette's position. II met at 10 o'clock
under agreement for Mr.. Ia Follette to
speak until o'clock. with the rest OF
the time for replies and miscellaneous
final business. sias s.
Right Of free speech and OF discus