The Washington times., 1917-03-12
AT OUTS ON TASKS
FOR EXTRA SESSION
Democratic Prohibition, Mill
tary CompuIsion and Suffrage
Advocates Cause Discord.
GET PRESIDENTS PROGRAM
Leaders Told by Senator James
What Legislation Admins
tration Desires.
GET PRESIDENTS PROGRAM

Trouble has developed in connec'
tion with the efforts of Democratic
leaders to reach an understanding as
TO the measures to be considered at
the extra session of Congress. which
President Wilson has summoned to
meet April 16.
In view OF the uncertainties of the
German situation and his inability to
tell in advance whether any war
measures arc going to be needed, the
President did not specify the par
ticular objects for which he wanted
o the session assembled. Informally,
however, he has indicated to the
Democratic leaders what ne thinks
should comprise the legislative pro-
gram.
Through Senator Ollie James of
Kentucky, who is regarded as the
Presidents mouthpiece on the "steer-
ing committee" of the. Senate, Mr..
Wilson is understood to have approvr
ed certain lines Of legislative activ-
ity.
What President Desires.
The following is the Administra-
tion program:
The appropriation bills which failed
OF passage in the closing hours of
the short session. Those bills are the
army appropriation bill, the sundry
civil appropriation bill, and the urg-
ent deficiency bill.
The armed neutrality bill, which
was killed by filibuster.
Tho hf1Ia
by the Department of Justice as
means of combating German intrigues
known to be on foot.
The Webb bill, permitting Ameri-
can exporters to maintain co-opera-
tive foreign selling agencies abroad.
The bill to increase the size OF the
Interstate Commerce Commission;
and
Ratification by the Senate of the Co.
lombian treaty.
PrOhibItIOnists DIspIeased.
While this is the program that is
agreeable to a majority of the leaders.
# has failed to win the Endorsement Of
the prohibition leaders, the advocates
Of universal military training. or the
sponsors Of the proposed woman suf-
frage amendment, each Of which groups
is clamoring for action on its respective
cause"
In view Of the strong possibility OF
war with Germany, II is probable that
many Of the leaders would be willing
TO include universal training in the pro-
gram but for the certainty that the
proponents OF woman suffrage and
nationwide prohibition would then be
more than ever insistent that they be
given recognition.
Under the tentative program the
extra session, IL war did not develop in
the meantime. could be brought to a
close, the Democratic leaders say, by
July L Should there be war. however.
It is realized all agreements that might
now be made would be called off. Con-
gress would then probably insist on re-
naming in session. and 1t is assumed
that the President and the country
would want 1t in session to pass needed
war measures.
Armed Neutrality Indorsement.
The Presidents prime object in call
ing the extra session was. OF course. to
insure the passage Of the three appro- |
priation bills. without which the Gov
ernment would be extremely embar-
raised the beginning of the new fiscal |
year. July l.
As regards the armed neutrality |
legislation, any action which Con- |
Kress might now take would be in |
the nature OF an Endorsement of steps |
now being taken by the President to |
arm American merchant ships. In his |
announcement Saturday the President |
made it plain that he no longer re-
garded this legislation as necessary, |
having convinced himself that he al |
ready had all the authority he needed |
to arm the ships. At the same time /
IL is thought probable he would be |
glad to have Congressional indorse-
ment of his action.
The fact that the program only
includes that part Of the Ad-
ministration's railroad legislation
which provides for an increase in the
Interstate Commerce Commission
would indicate an abandonment by the
President of his original proposal TO
prohibit strikes by law
Germany and Colombia.
Disclosures which have been made
regarding the German plot to destroy
the Panama canal in the event of war
between the United States and Ger
many have served to emphasize the
earnestness Of President Wilson's re-
cent appeal in behalf OF the Colom-
bian treaty.
On that occasion he observed sig
nificantly that at the present time. of
all times, the United States needs the
friendship OF Colombia and other
countries In other
words, the Administration apparently
believes that unless Colombia is al
last paid the S25,OOO,OOO and the
apology" she has demanded as a
balm for the wounded feelings she
suffered in the Panama coup, she may
further German schemes to blow up
the canal.
The Spy bills"-eighteen in num-
ber-fell by the wayside along with
the mass Of other bills that piled up
In the legislative chute in the closing