The Delta independent., 1917-04-13
ELABORATE PRECAUTIONS TAX
EN- FOR THE SAFETY OF LAW
MAKERS AT WASHINGTON.
BOTH HOUSES BAR PACKAGES
Visitors Not Allowed to Carry Even
Umbrellas Into the CapitoI-First
Duty of Extraordinary Session Will
Be to Take Action on Appropriation
Measures.
BY GEORGE CLINTON.


TO happen" Perhaps there is no real
expectation that anything is to hap
pen. but the officials believe there is
nothing like taking precautions.
On the day that congress opened no
man, woman or child was allowed to
carry n package into the capitol. Even
umbrellas were barred from the house
and senate chambers, because i'm the
folds of an umbrella II is possible to
conceal things If one is so inclined.
Extraordinary measures We're taken
to protect the president Of the United
States and all the other high officials
of the government on the day of the
opening of congress. and the same
precautions will be taken hereafter.
Washington has been affected by
fever of suspicion. Several prominent
citizens have found themselves subject
to the gossip and the hard looks of
their neighbors.
So far ns specific cases are con-
cerned there was no truth in the ru-
mors which hoated about. Men of
high standing in the community suf-
fered from idle gossip of the inconsid-
crate II may be that there are real
cases Of reasonable intent In the
capital and that they will develop and
punishment be mcicd out. but so far
as the first cuscs We're concerned the
stories were hrrwcd Iu the teapots of
the afternoon gossip fuhlc.
Appropriations in Order.
AT the last session Of tho last CON
rrcss the lawmakers provided for the
navy but left the army without amy
sustcuuncc one or the first acts ~
congress ri the extraordinary session
Just opened VIII be to sanction the
army bii carrying large approprin-
tions Of money.
II Is barely possible TINT n 1t had
not been necessary for the president
in the closing days Of the last session
to ask authority OF congress to arm
merchant ships Of the United States.
all the appropriation bills might have
been passed. The house had disposed
of them and the senate had taken care
of several OF them but there were
four or five big supply measures 10
which the senate could give no con
sidcrntion because the days OF the
closing hours were taken up with dis
cussion which resulted I'm contro-
versy concerning the patriotism or
lnck Of II Of certain senators. con
troversy of which he echoings are
still heard.
When the house passed the army APP
proprintion hill Il. OF course. was sent
Mt once to the senate. There II was
amended in the committee on military
affairs. One Of the amendments was
proposal for universal military train
Ing when It became evident that the
senate would not have time. because
OF the fllihuster on the armcd-ship hill,
10 give consideration to the army. the
senate authorities stopped printing
copies Of the amended measure. There
are only few copies I'm existence to-
day in printed form. The demand for
copies of the hill has been enormous.
Army officers and civilians all over
the United States have written to con
rressmrn for copies of the amended
senntc bill but there were only few
to hc had.
Why Measure Wat Not Printed
The inN'rest in this army measure
Is tremendous The reason that sena-
tors would not authorize the printing
of the measure in large quantities was
thnt knowing the hill could not he
the money for printing something
which might be entirely changed in
form ns soon ms the extraordinary scS-
sion began and new army measure
was proposed.
All appropriation bills must origl
nate in the house OF representatives.
So II Is that the present house must
recast the army hill. or mt any rate re-
pass II In the form in which II wns
passed mt the last session. Great in
tcrcst ccnters In the action of the
house In this matter II may be that
the members will agree to tack onto
the bill the amendment which senator
Chamberlain put on II Mt thc last scs-
sion and which provides for universal
military trimming.
In n war crisis n call for 100000 vol
unteers means. Of course, that the
American people would have n half
million men In training In compnra
lively II short time. II Is being urged
hy ssne members Of congress that "
this shall happen there VIII be no
necessity for the passage of II uniNer-
sal military training measure FOR nm
other wear. because the men for whose
trimming II would provide for the first
ycor would come under training any
way through the operations of the call
for volunteers
II will make little difference prohn-
hly So fnr ms debate Is concerned
whether the house actually presents
n universal military training measure
nj this session, for the interest In the