Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1917-04-02
Meet at Noon

Both houses meet at noon tomorrow.
The Senate. already organized, will be
ready to transact business when the
gaycl falls, but in view of the fact that
any war resolution is expected to carry
an appropriation it is expected that &C
ton will wait on the House. Democrats
and Republicans of the House have
cleared the way for an immediate effort
to organize and the belief was general
tonight that the Democrats would re-
assume control, with Speaker Clark IN
the chair within a few hours after the
session begins.
There is little doubt that war res
outon will be passed by large MAORI
ties in both houses. There are little
groups of paciflists opposed to war except
to resist invasion who will vote and prob
ably talk against any warlike move
There are other groups who have their
own ideas about what the United States
should do in the present situation. but
none is strong enough to prevent action
or seriously to- impede its progress
Expect No Long Fight
In the House probably will be no per-
sistent fight unless it comes from mem
bers who favor more far-reaching action
than the President recommends. The
Senate has it's new cloture rule to limit
debate if a small group there undertakes
to delay action.
cir no xl-nr Int he
appropriations which probably will &C
company it. there is not much legisla-
ton now on the books that leaders be-
lieve is necessary to enact before next
winter. The appropriation measures
which failed at the last session, particu-
larly the army bill. the amendments to
the shipping act giving the government
broad powers over merchant shipping,
some changes in the federal reserve act
and legislation to curb spying. are among
the things which probably will be deem
ed essential to prosecution of whatever
course is determined upon. Additional
revenue legislation and bond issues be-
yond the authorizations in existence, to
be carried in the war resolution will de-
pend on how active TIE United States
becomes in the war. Efforts are certain
to be made to put the universal military
training bill through. even if President
Wilson does not endorse it. There will
be much opposition to it. particularly if
the belief gains currency that such leg
islation would pave the way for the
sending OF an cxpeditionary force to the
European battlefields.
Big Loan Considered
There has been much talk Of bond
issue to provide loan or credit to
France of from s5oo,0Oo,o00 to $1,000, 900, 600
Such appeal would receive strong support
but there might be enough opposition to
prevent enactment of the legislation.
Hundreds of kilograms poured into the
capital today bearing on the question of
war legislation. Many spoke against
war and members In favor of quick. de-
cisive action attributed the flood of mes
sages to an organized anti-war propa-
ganda.
Among the measures which will be
introduced as soon as the House meets
will be the general army staff bill for
compulsory military training of men
between 10 and % years of age which
Rep. Kahn of California. ranking Re
publican on the military committee.
will submit. Mr.. Kahn said today he
believed there was an excellent pros
pect for its enactment. Compulsory
training measures also probably will be
introduced by Rep. Caldwell of New
York and others. Representative Mon
tague of Virginia will introduce alter
native bills for s1,000,000.000 gift or
$500, 100000 gift and s500.000,0O0 loan
to France in recognition of French
support in Revolutionary days.
Continued on Page q, Column -