The Washington times., 1917-03-05

member can stand in the way OF action
il he have but the physical endurance.
THE result in this case Is a complete
paralysis alike of the legislative ana
executive branches Of the Government.
This inability of the Senate TO act
has rendered some OF the most necessary
legislationeof the session impossible, 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 Or
ganization in the export and import
trade of the country as the circum-
stances OF international competition
have made imperative-a bill which the
business Judgment Of the whole country
approved and demanded-has failed.
Important Measures Killed.
The opposition of one 'or two Sen
ators has made 1t impossible to In
crease the membership of the Inter
state Commerce Commission or TO
give It the altered organization neces-
sary for its efficiency. -,
The conservation bill, which should
have released for immediate use the
mineral resources which are still
locked up in the public lands now
that their release Is more impera-
lively necessary than ever, ana the
bill which would have made the un-
used water power of the country I'M
mediately available for industry, nave
both failed, though they have been
under consideration throughout the
sessions of two Congresses ana nave
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 Government, the appropriations
for the Military Academy at west
Point and the general deficiency plIl'
"It has proved impossible to ex.
tend the powers of the shipping board
to meet the special needs OF the new
situation into which our commerce
has been forced, or to increase the
gold reserve Of our national bank
ing system to meet the unusual cir
cumstances of the existing financlal
situation.
Majority Is Helpless. .l
at would not cure the difficulty to
call the Sixty-fifth Congress in ex-
traordinary session.
Tile paralysis OF the Senate would
remain. The purpose and the spirit
OF action are not lacking now.
"The Congress is more definitely
united in thought and purpose at this
moment. I venture to say, than 1t has
been within the memory of any man
now in its membership. There is not
only the most united patriotic pur-
pose, but the objects members have
in view are perfectly clear and
definite.
But the Senate cannot act unless
its leaders can obtain unanimous con- !
sent. Its majority is powerless, help
less. In the midst of a crisis of ex-
traordinary peril. when only definite
and decided action can make the ma |
tion safe or shield It from war itself
by the aggression of others. action is
impossible.
Rules Should BE Altered.
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 IL is not so, |
and that other governments may act |
as they please without fear that this |
Government can do anything at all |
We cannot explain. The explanation |
is incredible.
The Senate of the United States Is |
the only legislative body in the world |
which cannot act when its majority |
is ready for action.
"A little group of willful men, rep |
resenting no opinion but their own. |
have rendered the great Government |
Of the United States helpless and con- |
temptible.
THE remedy? There is but one |
remedy. The only remedy is that the |
rules Of the Senate shall be so altered |
that it can act. The country can be |
relied upon to draw the moral. be- |