New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1917-02-05
Measure for l0S Additional
Submarines Is Favored
i'm the Senate
DISCUSS CONSPIRACY
LEGISLATION TO-DAY
Judiciary Committee to
Get Report on II Bills
Fixing Punishment

Washington, Feb A. Congress
aroused to patriotic support of the
President, calmly awaits Developments
in the diplomatic breach with Ger
many.
While hopeful that the break will
not force the United States into war,
leaders already have cast partisan
ship aside, and the legislative branch
is prepared for expeditions disposition
Of extraordinary revenue and defence
measures.
Important bills bearing on the stu
alton already are under consideration
in both houses, among them the an
nual naval appropriation bill, to which
emergency amendments have been pro-
posed since the President addressed
Congress yesterday. The bill, carry
ing more than S35O,000,OOO for naval
maintenance and construction. Will be
taken up again Tuesday, with pros
pect of passage before adjournment
that night.
Plans to Speed Navy Work
An amendment to be offered by Rep
resentative Britten, of Illinois, would
appropriate an additional Sll9,OOO,OOO
for the immediate completion of ll3
war vessels already authorized, IN
various stages of construction In gov
eminent and private yards. Another
would empower the President to com
mandeer. private shipbuilding yards
and munition plants. Speaker Clark
and other House leaders tonight said
they believed that the amendment
would be adopted.
In addition TO the regular approprl-
alton bill, there is pending in the
Senate with growing sentiment IN Ia
vor OF its passage a special bill by
Senator PoindeXter providing for I'M
mediate construction of lO8 subma-
rines. in addition TO seventeen car
ried in the regular appropriation bill.
The crisis finds the House Mill
tarv Committee ready with the cur
rent army bill carrying S215,OOO,OOO,
subject. however. to any change that
eXigencies may demand. The COM
mittee will meet tomorrow to con-
slider new legislation, and sugges-
tons may be received from Secretary
Baker.
Emergency Army Measures
Under existing law the President has
authority to increase the regular army
to full war strength of 286,0O0 officers
and men. He also has authority to call
on the National Guard, now having
some 100000 available men. Under the
I . l. n - f,,1 =
cannot be acquired until the expiration
of four years. Emergency military de-
fence changes will be urged in case of
hostilities. Champions of universal
military training already are renewing
their advocacy of pending legislation
on that subject, hopeful that present
conditions may bring prompt action.
To safeguard interests of the nation
against conspiracics consideration is
being rushed in the Senate Of measures
suggested by the Attorney General to
strengthen the statutes under which
prosecutions may be brought against
offenders within the United States who
further the interests of foreign govern
mcntS. The judiciary Committee Of the
Senate viii meet tomorrow TO consider
"A favorable report from "A sub-commit-
tee on seventeen Of these measures.
Both houses are expected TO keep up
a drive on general legislation. The
Senate will continue with the aCri-
cultural appropriation bill. and at 4
o'clock tomorrow afternoon will pro-
coed to vote, in an attempt TO pass the
immigration bill over President vii
sons veto. More than the necessary
two-thirds vote to carry the measure
to the statute books is expected TO be
cast. The House OVERRIDE the veto last
week
Railroad labor legislation still re-
mains in embryonic shape, despite CON
slant pressure for action. The situa-
ton has served 10 rcawaken interest
in the proposed bill, empowering the
President TO take over the railroads in
time Of national defence.
Tho emergency revenue bill 10 take
care Of extraordinary military and
naval expenditures already incurred
now is before the Senate Finance Com
mittec, having passed the House last
week. Hearings have bepn set for
Tuesday, when protests will be re-
ceiyed against the proposed excess
profits tax.