New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-03-04
Congress Works
In Frantic Haste
To Save Big Bills
Session Lasting Through
Night to Continue Until
Noon To-day
Navy Measure to Pass
Action Also Expected on
Armed Neutrality and
Bond Issue Bills

Washington. March 3.-Congress was
in its dying hours tonight, worklng
frantically to save the most important
legislation from the last minute jam
in which it finds itself. House and SEN
ate we're in session from early in the
day. and may work all night and to-
morrow.
If when the clocks approach the hour
Of noon-the time when the Gath Con-
gress dies by law-there is still a
chance to do something more. the hands
of the clocks will be turned back, and
Congress officially will make itself be-
lieve that there is still more time.
The House tonight was in better
condition than the Senate. where the
opposition to the armed neutrality bill
which President Wilson wants to deal
with the German submarine menace
tied the legislation situation into a
hard knot.
The maximum which Congress TO-
night seems able to accomplish IN ITS
remaining hours is perfection OF the
following bills:
The armed neutrality bill.
The House resolution for Sloo'ooo',
600 bond issue for emergency naval
construction.
Final passage Of the regular naval
bill.
ures must fail for lack of time: Inc
army bill. sundry civil Dill' gen
eral deficiency bill, Military Acad-
emv bill. bill to extend powers of the
Shining Board, amendments TO the
Federal Reserve law to increase the
gold reserve and all other general leg
islation.
Conferrees Agree on Navy Bill
Conferrees on the $685., 100000 naval
appropriation bill agreed on report
tonight. reducing the extra number
Of submarines to be built from fifty to
twenty. all to be constructed on the
Pacific Coast. That would make the
total number Of submarines provided
for in the bill thirty-eight. Inc con-
ference report will now be rushed
through both houses.
The conference report does not re-
duce the total appropriation materially.
as The s35,0O00O0 emergency fund APP
piled in the Senate bill toward imme-
date construction OF submarines IS re-
tanned.
At midnight House Democratic and
Republican leaders reached an gree
nent to recess until 10 o'clock Sunday
morning as soon as the conference re-
mort on the naval bin was disposed OF:
II was believed this would be finished
in another hour.
By vote Of 2S4 to Sc the House late
to day adopted joint resolution de-
signed to postpone enforcement OF the
bone dry" amendment to the postal
bill. which became effective to-day,
until July /. supporters Of the resolu-
ton entertain a faint hope that II can
be rushed through the Senate before
adjournment.
The amendment. which fOrblds and
penalties the shipment OF liquor INTO
prohibition territory, went into erect
when the President attached his sigma
ture.
Representative Randall, of Califor-
MIA. the Prohibitionist, contended that
tho resolution would not legally eX-
tend the effective date. because the bill
Including the Reed amendment already
had been signed by the President and
Il. provisions could be changed only by
passage Of law amending II. others
said if it passed. the Senate resolution
could be signed by the President on
the legislative day OF March }, the same
date OF his signature Of the bill. and
would stand in court as a part OF the
bill itself.
Salary Increase Bill Passed
Despite threats OF few Republican
leaders 20 hold up ell pending appro-
priation bills, the Senate early to-day
agreed 10 the conference report on the
$40 900, 600 legislative, Judicial and ex-
ecutive supply measure, which carries
with it the salary increases for gov
eminent employees. The bill now goe9
10 the President for approval:
President Wilson to-day signed the
revenue bill designed to raise $780,,
600 600 through special taxes and bond
issues. the Postofice bill, with the
"bone dry" provision, and the diplo-
matte and District Of Columbia appro-
-~;o.;o, hills