The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1917-05-14
WAR PROGRAM
GOING SLOWLY
IN BOTH HOUSES
Congress Begins Sixth Week
of War With Heavy
Calendars
ESPIONAGE BILL
BEFORE SENATE
House Will Continue Dis
cussion of War Rev
enue Bill
fRv Associated Press.l

Washington, May 1.-THE United
States has been at war with Germany
thirty-nine days and practically all the
measures through which this govern
ment is to do its part in the worlds
battle for humanity and civilization
still are in the talking stage in con-
.gress.
The actual accomplishments since
President Wilson convened the special
war session on April 2 have been the
passage OF resolutions declaring a
state of war with Germany and enact
ment of the $7,000,000,000 loan law.
Those who predicted congress would
provide the nation with the means OF
making war successfully and adjourn
by June, have extended their estimates
to the middle of August.
Pressed for speed by the administra-
ton on one side and on the other by
constituents at home demanding ac-
tion, congress faces many big Things
to do and do quickly, If the aid Of the
u. S. in the world war is to be OF Its
full value.
The War Program.
AS congress today went into it's
thirty seventh working day the war
program stood this way:
War tax bill: Under debate in the
house and UP for public hearings in
present rate of progress it will be
probably before one house or the other
for at least a month.
Army bill: In conference again to
thresh over the action Of the house in
restoring the so-called Roosevelt
amendment.
1t provides the army the allies need
in France.
Food control bills: Debated one day
in the house; an entirely different form
of bill has been introduced in the sem
ate.
Shipping bills: The bill to vest legal
title to the seized German ships in the
government has passed both houses,
but is in conference for reconsidera-
ton Of differences; the bill to appro-
pirate $400.000,000 for a start of the
great merchant feet to overcome the
submarine menace has not yet been
introduced and may not be, while
plans are being discussed Of paying
for the ships out Of the $1,000, ,000, 600
loan. The bill to authorize the taking
over of ship building facilities and
ships building for foreign account has
heans introduced hit lis not yet under.
Espionage bin: The house in pass-e
ing the bill retained the newspaper
Censorship section, demanded by the
administration, but did not enact an
embargo section, which the adminis-
tration wants to keep supplies from
goins to Germany through neutrals.
The senate still has its bill under de-
bate, retaining such an embargo sec
ton but entirely without censorship
provision. The real enactment Of this
bill probably will be in conference
where the administration will bring
pressure to have both censorship and
embargo sections inserted in accept
able terms.
Prohibition: AS an amendment to
the espionage bill the senate has at
tached section prohibiting the man
ufacture OF intoxicating liquors from
food grain.
Various prohibition proposals are
pending in the house. The normal
strength of the prohibition forces in
congress, coupled with the rising prices
OF food, present likelihood of some
action to prevent foodstuffs from be-
ing manufactured into liquor, at least
during the war.
Conferees on the war army bill call
ed to meet again today because the
house. after once rejecting the So
called Roosevelt amendment now
wants to put 1t in, are not expected
to take long at their task and today
the bill may reach the senate floor.
Since the Roosevelt amendment origin
ated in that body, 1t is possible that the
army measure can be disposed Of with
out much debate and early in the week
be sent to the president.
In the house an effort may be made
to put food control legislation through |
after the war revenue BILL The depart
ment of agriculture has sent bills on
the subject to the house committee. |
The measures received committee ap-
proval and are virtually ready for the |
floor.
In both houses the food legislation |
is expected to cause much debate and |
arouse some decided opposition, al |
though Il probably will have the force |
of the administration behind ii.
1t is almost certain that a measure |
will be passed giving the department |
Of agriculture money and authority |
to make a food survey Of the country |
and to curb speculation in food prod