East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1917-03-05
PRESIDENT F1AYs SENATOR'S.
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PRESIDENT FT4AYS SENATORS.
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sary legislation of the session impos-
sible. at a time when the need for il
was most pressing and most evident.
The bill which would have permitted
such combinations of capital and OF
organization in the export and import
trade of the country as the circum-
stances of international competition
have made imperative bill which
the business judgment of the whole
country approved and demandedE
has failed.
other LEGISLATION blocked.
The opposition of one or two sem
ators has made it impossible to in
crease the membership of the Inter
state Commerce Commission or to
give it the altered organization neces-
sary for it's efficiency. The conserva-
ton bill. which should have released
for immediate use the mineral re-
sources which are still locked up in
the public lands, now that their re-
lease is more imperatively necessary
than ever. and the bill which would
OF the country Immediately available
for industry have both failed, though
they have been under consideration
throughout the sessions OF two con-
crosses and have been twice passed
by the house of representatives.
The appropriations for the army
have failed. along with the appropria-
tions for the civil establishment of the
rfa,Ff for
the Military Academy at West Point,
and the general deficiency bill. 1t has
proved impossible to extend the pow
ers of the shipping board to meet the
special needs of the new situation in
TO which our commerce has been fore
cd or to increase the gold reserve OF
our National banking system to meet
the unusual circumstances of the ex-
listing financial situation.
Senate Remains ParaIyzed.
'It would not cure the difficulty to
call the 65th congress in extraordi-
nary session. The paralysis of the
senate would remain. The purpose
and the spirit of action are not lack
ing now. The congress is more defi-
nitely united in thought and purpose
at this moment, venture to say, than
il has been within the memory of any
man now in its membership. There Is
not only the most united patriotic
purpose but the objects members
have in view are perfectly clear and
definite. But the senate cannot act
unless its leaders can obtain unani-
nous consent. It's majority is pow
erless helpless. In the midst of
crisis of extraordinary peril, when
only definite and decided action can
make the nation safe or shield it
from war itself by the aggression of
others, action is impossible.
although as a matter of fact the
nation and the representatives of the
nation stand back of the executive
with unprecedented unanimity and
spirit. the impression made abroad
will. of course be that it is not so,
and that other governments may act
as they please without fear that this
can do anything at all. |
We cannot explain. The explanation |
Is incredible.
Only One Remedy Presented.
THE senate of the United States is |
the only legislative body in the world |
that cannot act when its majority is 1
ready for action. a little group of l
villful men. representing no opinion
but their own. have rendered the
great government of the United States
helpless and contemplate.
The remedy? There is but one
'emedy That is the rules of the SEN
lte shall be so altered that it can act
The country can be relied upon to
iraw the moral. 7 believe that the 1
enate can be called upon to supply
he means of action and save the
ountry from disaster"
At the same time the president au-
horized the further statement that
That rendered the situation even
more grave than it had been supposed II
hat il was was the discovery that
-hile the president under his general
institutional powers could do much
T what he had asked congress to eTn-
over him to do. it has been found
hat there were certain old statutes
: vet unrepealed which raised in
uperable practical obstacles and vir-
Ially nullified his power l.
Old Law stands in Way.
The old law referred to by the I
resident was passed by congress in
SI9 and referred to the resistance of
merican merchantmen against the
tack on privateers and privates. but
from vessels which might
e 50 attac cked "a public armed yes
y Of nation in amity with the Uni
d States"
Technically Germany is not at war
ith the United States and subma-
mes are public armed vessels Of
ermany
The presidents statement followed
conference at the White House be-
yeen Mr.. Wilson. secretary McAdoo
Burleson. Colonel
NJ. House. Vance o. Mccormick and
scretary Tumulty.