Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-05-15
CONGRESS TALKS, WHILE
nation AWAITS ACTION
Thirty.Ninth Day After War With
Germany Is Declared, Program
Hardly Touched.
PRESSING NEED FOR HASTE
Those to Whom Have Been Con,mu-
nicated Appeals by British and
French Missions Impressed With
Need OF More Accomplishments.
Thy Associated Press. I

|
| WASHINGTON. May 1i.-The United
States has been at war with Germany
thirty-nine days, and practically all the
measures through which this govern
mcnt is to do It's part in the world s
battle for humanity and civilization
still are in the talking stage in Con-
! eress.
Tic actual accomplishments since
President Wilson convened the special
war session on April have been pas
sage OF the resolution declaring a state
Of war with Germany, and enactment
of the $1,000, 900. 900 loan law.
Those who predicted Congress would
provide the nation with the means for
making war successfully and adjourn
by June now have extended their csti-
mates TO the middle OF August
Pressed for speed by the administra-
ton on one side. and OH the other by
constituencies at home demanding ac-
ton. Congress faces many big things to
do and quickly, If the aid OF the United
States in the world war is to be OF it's
full value.
The immediate pressing need of the
aid the United States can give tho al
lies Is best known TO the President and
his closest advisers. who have hcardsit
from the heads of the French and Brit
ish missions Those TO whom il has
been communicated have been i'm
pressed with the necessity OF moro
accomplishments.
Full. WAR PROGRAM
AS TT STANDS TODAY
AS Congress to-day went into it's
thirty seventh working day the war
program stood this way:
War tax bill: Under debate in the
House. and UP for public hearings in
the Senate Finance Committee. a, the
present rate of progress il probably
VIII be up before one house or the
other for At least month.
Army bill: In conference again to
thresh over the action Of the House in
restoring the so-callcd Roosevelt
amendment. 1t provides the army the
allies need in France.
Food control bills: Debated one dav
in the House: an entirely different form
Of bill has been introduced in the SEN
ate.
Shipping bills: The bill TO vest legal
title 10 the seized German ships in the
government has passed both houses. hut
IL in conference for reconciliation OF
differences; the bill TO appropriate
*io0.0o0.0o0 for Il start on the great
merchant feet to overcome the sub
marine menace has not yet been intro
duced. and may not he. while plans are
being discussed Of paying for the ships
out OF the $1,000. 100000 lonn. The bin
10 authorize the taking over Of shin
building facilities and ships building
or foreign account has been introduced.
nut is not yet under consideration.
Espionage bill: The House in passing
the bill, retained the newspaper censor.
snip section demanded by the admin
!Siration but did not enact an en-
oarSo section. which the administra
ton wants TO keep supplies from going
TO Germany through ncutrals
REAL ENACTMENT or BILL
WILL DE IN CONFERENCE
The Senate still has its bin under
debate, retaining such nm embargo, bur
entirely with a censorship provision.
The real enactment of this bill proba-
tiy will lie in conference. where thc
administration will bring pressure 10
have both censorship and embargo Sec
tons inserted in acceptable terms.
Prohibition: As an amendment To ,ha
espionage bill the Senate has attached
section prohibiting the MANUFACTURES
81 intoxicating liquors from food grains
Various prohibition proposals are mend.
Ing in the House. The normal strength
OF the prohibition forces In Congress
coupled with the rising prices Of food.
prescn, likelihood of some action To
prevent foodstuns from being ma nu-
featured into liquor, at least during
the war.
Federal reserve law amendments:
These additions to the existing banl.
'aw were proposed by the administers
ton to bring more banks into Federal
reserve system and by liberalizinE the
reserve requirements, increase the gold
holdings OF the system more than
sSooooV.O0c. Congress was told their
enactment would prepare the Federal
reserve system for practically any
shock IL might be called upon to sus.
tain.
for the present all the pushing in
huehccS OF the administration are he
ing concentrated to convince Congress
IL ought TO hurry with the army bill
the biils to provide ships as the first
means OF combating the submarine
''c"ace' ana to cnuct laws to guard tho
country against the pinch of bunre,