The Washington times., 1917-12-19

I
yesterday adopted the prohibition
! amendment in the form in which it
I came from the House. After being
signed by the Vice President and
the Speaker of the House, its sub
mission to the States was completed.
/ It is now before the country. The
preamble of the Declaration Of indie
pendence may be made good
against it.
The House set seven years as the
limit of time for its adoption. In
discussion led by Senator Borah the
question Of authority to set any lin
it at all was developed. 1t was left
C.settled. 10000 ---..
Resolutions submitted bv Senator
Harding of Ohio directed the SEN
ate Committee on Commerce to be-
| gin an investigation Of the progress
made by the Shipping Board. Red
tape and q conflict Of authority were
alleged.
on behalf of the Administration,
Senator John Sharp Williams said
that the investigation can do no
harm and may do great good. he
welcomed the "full glare" Of public
ity. "The enemy knows all about It
already" he said. "The best thing
you can do is to let your own people
know all about It
The Senate also provided for an
investigation of transportation to be
begun during the recess by its Com
mittee on Interstate Commerce. The
resolution providing for it was m
troduced by Senator Cummins, with
Senator Newlands, chairman OF the
committee, concurring.
For the benefit of many young
people now in Washington seeking
! employment ITO win the war" the
Senate adopted Senator Pomerene's
resolution under which the necessary
civil service examinations can be
held in Washington.
The Senate discussed, amended,
and postponed the oil and mineral
lands leasing bill. 1t was set for
final passage on January z.
Just before adjournment the SEN
ate and House took up the joint
resolution for an amendment to the
farm loan bill authorizing the Gov
ernment TO buy 500, 100000 in farm
loan bonds for two years. The SEN
ate amended and passed the bill, ad-
journing immediately afterward
The House, which wRs still consid-
ering it, then made it a special order
for January 8. and also adjourned.
It was explained that the sale Of
Liberty bonds had taken the mar
ket" from farm loan bonds to such
an extent as TO make Government
help unavoidable.
The House debated and passed the
Joint resolution amending the war
revenue bill so as to leave no doubt
that the salaries Of members NJ Con-
gress GA1 Officers and employees
under the United States Govern
ment" are fully subject to the ex-
cess profits tax. The exemption of
the President and members Of the
Supreme Court was voted out. The
debate was warm. Democratic
Floor Leader Ktchin vindi"ated his
motives and stood on his record
against all who had attacked II.
The House Committee on Woman
Suffrage took over from the Com
mittee on Privileges and Elections
everything which comes under its
Jurisdiction. January 10 was set
Icy the House for taking up The
woman suffrage amendment
Mr.. Emerson OF Ohio introduced
in the House a resolution providing
for the appropriation of 10000. 900
to be used in manufacturing freight
cars to be leased to railroads for
handling food and fuel.
Under a House bill introduced by |
Mr.. Lenroot of Wisconsin 800, yy0.-
900 would be used in organizing |
the United States Equipment Cor
porat!on," with a practical rail- |
road" man as general manager. The |
purpose stated is to acquire Loco
motives and cars and lease them at |
reasonable rental" to railroad:
which are now war sufferers |
The proposed equipment company |
is TO be under control of te Inter
state Commerce Commission and |
the Secretary OF the Treasury. In |
addition to existing taxes, a tax of |
20 per cent on all income OF trans
portation companies above Z per
cent net, is provided for.
Under a bill introduced in the
House by Mr.. johnson of South Da-
kota, newspaper publishers and 9th
ers would be liable to fine and i'm
prisonment if articles of food or
medicines are misreprescnted in ad-
yertlsements sent through the mails.
The bill may be construed to pen
alize publicity for breakfast food and
face powder.
In telegraphic correspondence be-
tween Governor Cox, of Ohio. and
Chairman Reed, of the Senate COM
mittee on Manufactures, Governor
cox declined to accept an invitation
CpEnIAI MnTInr0