Evening star., 1917-03-20
Early Session Still Probable.

Early Session Still Probable.
Calling of Congress in extra session
before April 16. the day first CHOSEN
for its assembly, still continues fore
most among the liabilities. but mem
hers of the cabinet seen before the
meeting, while apparently agreed tha'
every possible step to safeguard Ameri-
can rights should be taken, were MOI
sure whether anything could be gained
nv advancing the date of the extra ses'
sion of Congress.
No doubt now remains in the mlnds
of most officials that unless there shvuLe
be some unlooked-for change pelor
Congress- meets, the President Will opef
tha extra session with an address max
ing clear the new position INTO "nicL
he feels the United States has peer
forced by Germany's ruthless dlsre-
gard of American rights. He may ois-
crss universal military training.
The indications before the cabinet as
sembled were that there would pe no
change in the situation beiore toinol
row. although it was possible that ois-
cussion at the meeting might ieao Tie
President to act at once
Prepares for Forceful Action.
The issuance of proclamation OF
President Wilson that state OF war
exists between the United States ana
Germany is discussed among the pos
sib;I;.ies Meanwhile the government
TODAY prepared definitely for forceful
.ction to carry out the policy of armed
neutrality, clear transatlantic steam
chin lanes of German submarines and
nro+act the coast
sixty submarine chasers, 11o-foot
speedy craft. were ordered from .nS
New York navy yard, 10 pc coHlpie.o 100
in about two months. and oldS LOT ~"
more will be opened by 1y 'ne Msw HaSy Orleans
&C., yard also was directed to build
1T The Naval Academy was ordered to
graduate the senior class MaIch 20,
and the Junior class in september. SO
that 374 more junior oniceiS iN'
available speedily. si.rr.
THE President authorized expehoit vi Z
of the s115.OO0.0o0 emergency tuno
provided by Congress to speed up con.
struction of war shlps ,,+horised the
Preadent to sanction the expenditure
and authorized an issue OF bonds TO
raise the money. The Presloehts act
vas the first official recognition OF
national emergency.
Estimates Asked of Yards.
The department has called upon all
navy wards fitted to undertake small
ho.t construction to submit estimates
&c to the number of submarine chasers
thew can turn out quickly.
premerton. Mare Island, Portsmouth.
BOSTON. Charleston and other yards
nrobably will be assigned to construc-
t;on of chasers to the full extent OF
tbeir capacity. 1t is possible that the
of $50 to 200 chasers may
he provided for in this way. In addition
20 oon or more to be ordered tomorrow
from private builders.
The chasers are designed to do
knots an hour, and VIII De
enuipped with triple propellers and
fuel capacity for long cruising radius.
President also authorized the sus-
nansion of eight-hour laws on naval
and ordered payment of
time and half for overtime, as pro-
yided by act of Congress
Recent navy contracts We're let with
tho understanding that the eight-hour
law would be suspended because of the
shortage of skilled labor. Builders
have agreed to construct the hVe bat
tie cruisers and SIX scout cruisers re-
GENTLY assigned to tnem at the great
est possible speed. employing at least
20 per cent of all their men on this
work The department will meet extra
nav roll and other expenses due to the
sneeding up including time and half
for all work in excess of eight hours.
Under this agreement it is hoped to com
nIete the battle cruisers in three years
and scout cruisers in less than two
No Need to Commander Plants.
Secretary Daniels said there was no
nresent need of exercising the authority
IN commander shpbuilding or other
,,ants to hasten navy building. The
builders are cooperating heartily. and
similar agreement with steel and other
contractors for material probably will be
, rived at within week. Conferences
nth the contractors already have been
:. lied in addition to correspondence with
he companies which has been in prog
ress many days.
U-Boat Warfare Affects Mails.
coenizance of the German U-boat
has been taken by the Post
Office Department. it Is felt. by orders