Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1917-11-29
CONGRESS FACES
! WAR LEGISLATION
Support Of Army and Navy and
Transportation Problems
, Included.
WILL DEFER TO PRESIDENT

When Congress convenes at noon next
Monday, the legislators will give their
immediate attention to legislation bear
ing on the war. This legislation will
provide for the armies in the field and
for the Navy; it will look to the con-
servation of necessities and to the solu-
tion Of the transportation problems.
The program for the second session
of the Sixty-fifth Congress has not yet
been mapped out by the leaders. No
program will be framed until after
President Wilson has delivered his an
nual message. Leaders on both sides
admit that Congress will be guided in
its war measures by what the Presi-
dent, a. commander-in-c chief Of the mil
itary and naval forces, will ask.
War on Germany's Allies Likely.
Prediction has been freely made by
democrats and republicans alike that a
declaration of war against Austria.
Turkey and Bulgaria-certainly agains t
Austria-will be made by Congress soon
after 1t meets. But in this matter as
in others relating to the war, Congress.
in all probability, will defer to the
wishes of the President. If he recon-
mendS the declaration of war it will
80 through with a rush.
Various suggestions have been made
Sn recent days as to what shall be done
70 eolve the transportation problems
cenfronting the country. Senator
Weeks of Massachusetts would have
the government permit the organiza-
frsisht cars in the country, just as the
Pullman Car Company handles the
drawing room, sleeping and dining cars
the country over. In this way. he con-
tends, the distribution OF freight car
riers may be efficiently carried out
Senator Reed of Missouri has offered as
\ solution of the problem a plan for
the appropriation of 500. 600, 600 for'the
construction of freight cars. to be dis
tributed to the roads and controlled by
the government. Undoubtedly there will
be measures offered looking to govern
ment control and probably government
ownership of the roads. The President
- expected to say something about the
transportation situation in his message.
"Unhnishsd Business" in Senate.
In the Senate the unfinished bust.
ness is . bill to promote the export
trade BY permitting American con-
Germs to combine their foreign agencies.
The bill 10 popularity known as the
Ss s1Rs S Il has ha: es the
opposition from Senator La Toilette
AAA others.
Over on the House side of the Capitol
work win be begun Immediately upon
fer the sevsfnnent's expenditures dur
ing the fiscal year 1919 will be laid
before CONGRESS Monday. and. 1t is I'M
dststood. they are for very large
fe1ay 81 one Of Che Senate leaders
who has had Z look at them. Con-
8feSS Win pare them down where it
can. but there will be no disposition
ia its war appropriations. although it
VIII gcrutini5e all other appropriations
with great caro-.
There WIN undoubtedly Be strong
Efforts 20 amend the var revenue law
been made since It passed two months
aeo.
Dry Law and Suffrage Loom Up.
1Fphibitlon and woman suffrage will
have their day IN Congress. The shep-
Dard resolution proposing an amend
Hlsnt to the Constitution for nation
vide prohibition has passed the Senate
AID 10 before the House judiciary COM
selttee. There II . tAcit understanding
that Il viii come up early In the, SEES
. strong chance Of passing the House.
Though tt requires q two.thirds vote
- put II through.
The resolution proposing . eonstitu-
ssn.i !. f0 r. n ssns.s cs
sndar and may be voted on. In the
House the resolution also probably will
como to . vote. whether It will get
TIE necessary two-thfrds vote in both
The so-called soldiers civil rights
Dill 10 before the Senate judiciary COM
mittee. and probably will be given
early consideration. It would protect
the civil rights Of soldiers who are
called upon to go to the country's de-
Tense. Life insurance companies are
much interested in the measure. since
It provides for the postponement of
payment Of premiums by soldiers
while they are in the service and un-
8ble to pay.
A senate joint resolution providing
Army. which passed the Senate. is now
before tho House judiciary committee.
Favorable action Is expected upon it.
A daylight saving bill, which would
move forward the clock an hour dur
ing the summer months. is another
orumbing Over Expenditures.
There has been much grumbling over
- being expended. the claim being
made that the government Is paying
exorbitant prices for materials and
for labor. through contracts made on
q percentage basis. Senator Weeks OF
Massachusetts has before the Senate a
Joint resolution providing for a joint
congressional committee on the con-
duct Of the war. with an adverse re-
port by tho rules committee. II is I'M
derstood, however, he will not push
this resolution at the coming session
since the administration has insisted II
would be embarrassed In its conduct
Of the war by the creation OF such a
committee. Other staps may be taken
however. to learn how the billions OF
dollars appropriated by Congress at ite
last session have been expended.
Some Of the other important meas
ures on the Senate calendar are: A
bill providing for the leasing Of coal
oil. phosphate. gas and potassium
and sodium lands in the public domain
. Joint resolution to provide for insur-
ing to the government an adequate
supply OF print paper at . fair rate. and
also for an equitable distribution al
fair prices to the industries OF the
United States, and q bill to amend the