The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-01
Expect Congressional War
Critics To Make a Noise.
All the Old BOgeys and a Lot
of New Ones VIII Bob Up.
RELIEF FOR ALL RAILROADS
Effort for Govt Aid VIII Be
Important Measure.
Must Change the Conservation
Laws To Increase Fuel.

Washington, Dec. Congress will
meet Monday primed to ask officials
running the war a number of ques-
tions about war policies, war laws
passed last session and future war
measures. Congressman arriving to-
day stated their constituents asked the
same questions of them.
They will also try to find out what
steps have been taken to insure pay
anent of the money loaned to Russia,
why pneumonia and other ailments
are prevalent among men in canton
nnents and about the Lansing lshn
agreement on China.
suffs and "Drys' Too.
sThsse and the old issues of suf-
frace. prohibition, conservation, ap-
propriations, taxes, censorship Iree
press and war expenditures tore~shau-
ows a long session
The wealth CONSUMPTION forces are
lining I'D against bond advocates on
the expected drive for more war reve-
ilues. Prominent administration Lead
ers are in favor of issuing additional
bonds and avertins further revenue
legislation at this session.
The application Of war taxes I'M
posed in the last session still remain
TO be worked out by the Internal
revenue department. with legal clash
es over the excess profits section
impending -
Il appears certain that among ap-
preparation measures will be relief Tor
railroad government carriers and out
right purchase for them of needed
war equipment are under eonsidera-
tion in high executive circles.
Predict Bitter Clashes.
Bitter fights are in prospect over
the press clauses in the espionage ana
Raj. l.. To- A a.
sure will be introduced to prevent
barring of any publication from the
mails except after a full hearing by
regular court. Some advocates OF
free press and free speech claim the
postoffice department is given too
broad judicial powers.
Slightly related was criticism today
by a house member of the present
censorship as giving pro-German ru-
NOR mongers a fertile field.
The country's full of rumors." he
said They are mostly wild and, on
their face. unbelievable. But people
have heard so much about the cen
sorship preventing publication of GER
tain matters that they are ready to
believe almost anything, particularly
if they don't see it printed. Some
thing ought to be done to make the
censorship sensible"
Demand Increase Coal Output.
The ten-year fight over the govern
rnent's conservation policy Will come
TO u head early in the approaching
session. Wartime demand for enor-
mously increased production of coal,
OIL gas and cheap power makes utili-
cation of national resources one of
the biggest questions of the hour.
Widely divergent views are held by
members regarding the government
leasing policy.
Senators Myers, Montana: Pittman,
Nevada; Walsh, Montana; Shield, Ten
nessee, and Phelan, California, will
introduce leasing bills. Representa-
tive Ferris, Oklahoma, will look after
conservation measures in the house.
Presidents Address Tuesday.
Following announcement from the
White House that the president will
deliver his message to congress at
1890 Tuesday afternoon, house and
senate leaders made arrangements
for a joint session. The message is
not yet completed. Congressman pro-
fessed TO be without information as to
the presidents recommendations for
1nufe1a tim