Evening journal. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1888-1932, 1917-11-26
CONGRESS- TO FIGHT
FOR WAR publicity
Democrats May Aid Repub-
licans in Forcing Dis
closure of Details
WAR ON AUSTRIA
SEEMS CERTAIN

] WASHINGTON, Nov. 26.-Congress IS
due TO convene here in seven days in
probably the most momentous session
OF any legislative body in the history or
the world. The special session called
by the President in April, which ad-
iourned two months ago. appropriated
more money than any similar body ever
did. The coming session will see just
as much or more money made available
for prosecuting the war.
During the last session the Repub'
leans hardened 70 the plea TO lay aside
every other consideration for the sake
Of harmony and speed in making Amer
Tea ready 90 fight. During the coming
session a bitter political battle for con-
tori Of Congress will be fought from
start to finish.
Every member Of the House will have
10 appeal to'hi district largely on his
record during the coming session TO seek
reelection next fall. As a consequence
Of the questions which have been put
TO Representatives during their sOiourns
al home since the last session there Is
sure TO be a night to try 10 compel the
administration TO give Congress a more
definite idea Of where the hundreds Of
millions and billions Of dollars for
which the people are being taxed have
gone.
The administration Is sure to oppose
this and as o consequence the Repub-
Leans. with the aid Of Democratic rebels
have more than an even chance Of. con-
trolling the House.
There is little doubt now that Con-
gress will be asked 30 declare war on
Austria, Turkey and Bulgaria in ac-
cordance with what are well under
stood TO be the plans Of the administra-
ton. There Is little doubt, too, that
Congress Will pass the war declaration
The regulations for the control OF
the alien enemy menace devolep the
fact that the only authority the Presi-
dent had for the regulations was an in
adequate law more than a hundred year,
old. Congress viii be asked 70 pro-
vide additional legislation for the con-
troll Of this danger 90 Americas war
plans and preparations.
Il is understood that the negotiations
rof the state Department with ihe na-
ions allied with the United States In
the war are close 10 conclusion and so.
called "alien Stacker legislati0n-de-
signed 90 utilize the nationals Of these
allies I'm the armed forces Of the United
states-probably will be asked Of Con
gress before 10 adiourns. There Is
strong sentiment In Congress for sucl
LEGISLATION. which was checked durinl
the last session when the administrator
declared it would prove embarrassing a
the moment when negotiations were un
der way and uncompleted, but whicl
were aimed at paving the way for th
. legislation.
Prohibition and suffrage amendment
: 20 the Constitution will have to be face
% st the coming session. 10 is believe
some sort of tarde WIKI be made where
B nv one will be shclyed and Tho othe
y considered.
% Tho nght for one committee havin
control Of appropriation bills, wage
p by Chairman Fitzgerald in the closin
davs OF the last session and which wa
backed by the President viii be 70
20 ne,ved. 10 Is the idea Of.the admlnistra
- iion TO centre control of such legisla
b. ton and responsibility for 10 on on
D. committee Instead Of having it divide
r. among several committees as at pres
? emit
IS The administration confidently cxpec
% wholesale criticism for rs dealings vii
q .Russia. Republicans are expected l
p make political capital out Of the rae
r, that q great many millions Of dollar
b apparently have been poured into N
'i sea as far as the United STATES ana u
taxpayers are concerned.
c Tho appropriations for next year ar
c great sum run mp last year, If not large
y 80 accurate estimate or the enili
e amount can be made, but 10 is safe
it say that 10 will bc at least s2O00OWOOO
lr Band issues for at least SlJ,OO00OO0,
If must be authorized for the fiscal yea
'r ending in June, 1918. IL is estimated q
Treasury Department officials.
At present loans to the Allies
America are being made at the rate
s5OOOOOOO0 a month. At that rate loaI
OF s6OO0OO0O0O will have to be autho
lied at the coming session.
An enormous naval appropriation b
Is sure. Just how much Il Will be Il
cannot even be coniectured, but It
n safe 10 saw that it will be several hun
dreds of millions. The same is true
u army legislation although some
the amounts in recent army leglslatiC
will be considerably smaller FOR ne
year, as the needs Of the future wei
10 considered WHOM the last appropriate
y were asked and provided. Hundreds
millions more will be required for q
ID governments merchant feet, also 4
further construction and for operatiI
the fleet
ss One Of the greatest problems the Go
M gress will face will be additional rev
g. nue. legislation and the removal OF 4
y Justice from the recent war revenl
,d law. Repeal of the excess profits
Nm on earned incomes above $1,000 annual
OF which must be paid In addition to u
no r.ncome. taxes and supertaXes probah
he will be enacted. Strong sentiment
that direction has already appearC
Even should the effort TO repeal tn
section Of the war revenue law fail IL
certain that the exemption Of senate
and Congressman and other governmc
IN official form its effect will be strick
~ from the law.