The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-05-15
President Out of Patience
With Dilatory, Dragging
Methods of Past Six
Weeks.
MORE SPEED WANTED
Roosevelt Division Amendment to be
Passed, But May be Vetoed
When Up For
Signing.

Ou1C6Q FrS9H Leased wire SERVICE
WASHINGTON. May 15.-Presi-
dent Wilson today decided to apply
the whip to congress.
He is said by close advisers to be
out of patience with the dilatory.
tagging, dragging methods of the
past six weeks. He is especially dis
pleased with injection Of wholly ex-
traneous matters into the. various
pieces Of war legislation which the
administration has decided after con-
sultation must be put through, II
America Is really to aid her allies.
The first step to speed matters at
the capitol will be series of con-
ferences with leaders Of both par,
ties and both houses. go
The presidents closest advisers
say he intends to mince no words
when he talks to the legislative
leaders.
After calling congress leaders in con-
ference. the navy department an
nounced that the Inactivity Of con-
gress is holding up the most import
ant part Of the naval program-equip-
ment of submarine chasers. Secretary
Daniels urged upon Congressman
Padgett, chairman Of the house naval
committee that quick action upon the
bill permitting the government to
commander" private vessels when
exhorbitant prices were demanded, Is
necessary to carry on the naval plans.
Although the government has sur
veyed nearly one thousand ships that
are suitable as submarine chasers, 1t
has been able to acquire only COM
parativeIy small number. In num-
ber Of cases, many flatly refused to
sell their ships.
President Wilson called a confer
ence at the white house for tonight,
designed to evolve food control pro-
gram that will meet the approval OF
congress and the cabinet. Secretary
Houston with members Of the house
and senate agriculture committees
will attend. The government intends
to secure authority for handling the
food situation In an omnibus bill II
possible. If this method invites de-
lay, it is understood to be the admin
istration's intention to break the
food control bill up into separate
in order to get quick action
on some of the work, particularly the
food survey.
May veto HcoSeVeIL ran.
TBy Robert J. Bender, United Press
Staff Correspondent
WASHINGTON, May 10. - The
division amendment IS now
a clause in the selective service army
bill. 4
House and senate conferees today
wrote into the measure the amend
ment offered in the senate by Sena-
tor Harding, Ohio, which authorizes
but does not direct-the president
to raise a volunteer force of picked
troops, the presumption being that
they will be led into France by Theo.
The conferees will report their
agreement in both senate and house
today and both branches of congress
are expected quickly to concur in the
report.
The measure should go before the
president for his signature or veto
some time tomorrow, unless there is
another unexpected hitch.
The general staff of the army Is
said to favor veto of the measure as
1t now stands, but it was pointed out
at the capitol today there is nothing
in the bill which makes 1t compulsory
tnaC Lue pISStueHt SHouIu iaisc tAo
division authorized. He may avoid
the section entirely If he desires.
It Is probable that the army officials
will urge that nothing be done about
raising the picked volunteers until
after the other machinery Of selective
service has been put into operation
and the 100000 men authorized in
the BILL secured.
The president, some say, may fol-
low the advice of the war department
in the matter and the general staff
Is known TO oppose the Roosevelt
idea. 4