River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1917-03-08
Administration Bill
Lost In Senate
House Passes Bill To Arm Merchant
Ships, But Senate Votes
Against 1t
EXTRA SESSION IN JUNE
Items From Washington,
BY Honorable James A.
Frear, M. C.

FFeaF, vi. {.
By nearly a unanimous vote, the
House passed the resolution giving
the president power to protect
American merchant ships. This let
ter is written during the closing
hours of the session, but the Senate
will pass the resolution according to
program. An amendment prohibit
ing arming or conveying of vessels
carrying guns and munitions of war
to belligerent, was defeated in the
House. In the Senate debate, Sena-
tor Lodge, the leading authority on
international law, declared that such
action would be equivalent to an act
of war and the president certainly
would not arm such ships. Amid ex-
element and confusion the Admin
istration resolution for arming ships
was defeated, talked to death in the
Senate. According to predictions
made at time of adjournment the
extra session may not come before
June.
In his address before Congress
President Wilson said he had full
power without any action by Con-
gress but wished it's approval Of his
defense of American rights. 1t will
be recalled our navy was sent to
Vera Cruz, troops landed and GUS
tom house seized by orders of the
executive before Congress had acted,
three years ago. The president has
large powers that may leave Con-
gress no alternative providing he
precipitates war, but in the Europe
an situation he has not followed the
course pursued at Vera Cruz. It
was vigorously argued that the res
olution will mean for peace and on
the other hand it was looked upon as
step towards war. No one knows
what it will carry because the stu
alton rests largely with the president
just as it has since our Mexican and
European troubles began. Facts
may be in his hands which do not get
to Congress or the public until pub
lished. like the Zimmerman note pro-
posing an alliance against the United
States. That note would seem ridicu-
lous beyond belief if not vouched for
by the State Department. At the
present stage, the country must put
its faith in the Executive and we are
like the fighting parson, who prayed
for peace, but also that his powder
be kept dry.
An extra session will be held to
pass needed appropriation bills which
failed and also to be on hand if the
situation requires its presence. This
is written late Saturday. Both
Houses are in continuous session and
Congress adjourns by law, Sunday
at II, noon. Monday is Inaugural
ton day. The president takes the
oath at the East front Of the Capitol
and then reviews parade Of troops
and civic organizations. Rain has
fallen steadily for four days, which,
together with the foreign situation,
casts a damper on the usual festivi-
ties.
For over a quarter Of a century
saloon at the foot Of Pennsylvania
Avenue across from the Capitol
grounds, had sign which read on
one side, Last Chance" and on the
other First Chance" in going to
and from the Capitol. Recently
fruit store has replaced the old sign
and location while a "dry" resolu-
ton overwhelmingly passed by Con-
gress removes the sign permanently
from the District.
The Underwood oleomargarine
amendment to the revenue bill was
finally knocked out by the Senate
with large margin Of votes. In
the House strong opposition had or
ganized but the American COW was
indicated as Senator Kenyon insist
ed should first be done. at the other
end Of the Capitol.
Appointments have been made for
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