The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1917-04-02
MONDAY MORNING, APRIL 2, 1917.
AT WASHINGTON.

Today the Sixty fifth congress convenes. 1t will
be historic one That it's membership may be
endowed with wisdom and fortitude to deal with
the international crisis that Immediately
fronts us is the earnest hope of every patriotic
American.
1t now seems almost certain that Speaker Clark
will be reelected today. Under all the circum-
believe this is the easiest way out of the
present situation in the house. 1t is no time for
maneuvering for party advantage. While parti-
sanship in the sense, should be submerged
as far as is possible the fact remains that gov
eminent rests on responsible party control.
The Democrats hold the presidency and the SEN
ate. The house is evenly divided as to political
affiliations with five independents holding the bal
ance of power. Under these conditions it is better
for the Democrats to have full control OF both
houses of congress, so there may be excuse for
delay in legislation.
Under the evenly divided party membership in
the house, the committees should be as evenly d.
vded is possible. to permit responsible
party control to the Democratic organization. Tn
der the impending peril, with many able men in
the Republican membership, 1t would be good poll
tues to give some the important committees to the
Republicans
It would likewise be the part of real statesman
ship for President Wilson to invite into his cabinet
until the has ended, the strongest men in the
country irrespective of politics, heads of the
various departments OF government.
The nation will not take kindly to the continu
ance in responsible executive position of some o
the cheap politicians that Mr. Wilson has seen fl
to appoint to of these places account o
the exigencies of party politics.
The United States is entering upon a fateful lie,
of action. In all human probabilities the next A
hours will the passage of joint resolution b!
congress- declaring that state OF war exists be
tween the United States and Germany.
This will be followed up by hosiies on land AM
sea on a scale never before undertaken by
will call for the immediate marshang of all tn
resources of 100000 900 people.
The tremendous work that lies before canno
be carried on by weaklings. We will give and tax
heavy blows A weak irrcsolute vaclating polio
will surely bring to disaster and national hu
initiation
The man who is mbued with the notion that tn
declaration of only means the maneuverng c
our battle fleet in Atlantic waters will radi
cally readjust his first belief
Midsummer viii probably 100000 America
soldiers in the trenches Somewhere in France
1t will also probably witness scores of America
ships sunk and Atlantic coast cities bomhardcd b
hostile guns.
We are rch fat and complaccnt. The thin
that may awaken to true of the magn
tude Of the impending danger will be the ne"
some Of these spring mornings that appreciate
part of our battle fleet has been sunk and tn;
Gloucester Newport, Savannah. Boston eve
New York or Washington has been seriously dam
aged by shell fire from without treason frol
within.
It is not impossible that the same week may te
the story of the wrecking of the Gatun locks
Panama the blowing up of important viaduct
bridges or munilion plants that will seriously Grill
pie transportation make extremely difficult tt
quick mobilization of forces for offense defens
This is a fateful week in American history an
the year 1917 is bigger with great events than ha,
been recorded since 1875 and 1889.
VOTE TNNAN