The herald and news. [volume] (Newberry S.C.) 1903-1937, 1917-02-23
WILSON LAYS COURSE
TO GET FULL POWER
(Rv Z & SartWelI)

al sanction dLLu SupQOil AOi 'N1'' 80
ton he may deem necessary IN the
German crisis.
Making a personal visit to the capt
tol. the president notified senate lead
ers that he proposes to lay before
congress within two weeks demand
for legislative authority which Viii
enable him to meet any turn OF inter
national affairs in his discretion.
He Will ask that the authority Dc
made complete, in order that he may
proceed with his foreign policy freely
after the present congress expires
on March 4.
Congressional leaders made it clear
that the president would be given
full and complete authority to take
any steps he might deem needful.
While at the capitol, the president
had brief talk with Senator I'LL
man. chairman of the naval affairs
committee. and a few minutes later
the naval affairs subcommittee signi-
hcantly announced that it had raised
the total of the naval appropriation
bill already passed by the house from
1858, 900, 900 to s533,000,000.
Chairman Tillman's subcommittee
recommended to the full senate CON-
mittee the following significant items;
A blanket appropriation of $780,
900. 600, to be Immediately available
for use by the president at his dis
cretion in speeding up the construc-
ticn of naval vessels already aprro-
pr:ated for. This appropriation was
proposed in the house, but was de-
feated.
An increase of 100000 in the ap-
preparation of more than S5,00o0oC
for BATTERIES for merchant auxlli-
aries
An increase of s45O,o00 in the ap-
preparation of more than S7,O0O.O0C
Tor ammunition for merchant auxili-
aries"
In these items, official Washington
tonight saw the beginning of an ad-
ministration plan to place guns aboard
the American merchant vessls sailing
to ports in the death zone OF German
submarines. Following 50 closely On
the presidents talk with Senator Till
man. it was accepted as certain that
they indicated new move.
1t was apparent tonight that within
a short time the president will lay
before congress broad, comprehen-
sive emergency program. 1t was stat
ed that the president proposes to have
available for instant use all OF the
money and all of the power that may
be necessary to meet the dreaded next
move in the German crisis. Senators
declared that the president proposes
to ask for the authority to make free
use of the naval forces of the nation,
and to ask for a large lump sum ap-
preparation to meet emergencies.
While the president did not say
when he would go before congress, 1t
was believed that he would call a
Joint session some time during the
coming week in order to allow con-
gress time to consider and digest the
vast program he is expected to lay
down. 1t has stated that the presi-
dent made step in this direction by
discussing with Chairman Tillman
and Senator Swanson. of Virginia,
who is in charge of the naval appro-
priation bill, the details of proposed
emergency legislation which he wants
added to the measure in the senate.
The president also talked today with
: Senator Simmons, chairman of the
finance committee, who has charge
of the administration revenue bill,
already passed the house. The funds
necessary to provide the big appro-
priations with the president is expect
ed to demand for emergency use will
be provided through this measure.
and it is probable that an emergency
bond issue of a large amount will be
included to meet the situation.
The president discussed with Sena-
tors Chamberlain, Newlands. Pomer-
enc and Overman the general legisla-
tive situation, seeking to speed up the
business now before the senate and
clear the way for the emergency pro-
gram which will make its appearance
and demand consideration before con-
gress can adjourn two weeks from
Monday.
It was stated tonight that at least
a part of the general legislation now
before the senate may have to be
sidetracked to make way for the emer-
gency program
Diplomatically. the international sit
uation remained unchanged today
The apparent let-down in the Ger
man submarine campaign and the
gradual lessening of the number oil
ships sunk lightened the tension. Re-
ports from abroad as to the conditions