Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1917-05-09
President Takes Note of
Criticisms Regarding
Seclusiveness.
CONSIDERS BILLION
DOLLAR SHIP BILL
Thirty Leaders Summoned to White
House to Discuss Various War Meas
urss-Houss and Senate confsrees
Still DeadIocked Over Question Of
Permitting Roosevelt to Raise Force
Of Volunteers FOR War. in France.


fidence on the administration plans
today by summoning thirty leaders to
the White House. At the capitol it
was said the president had recognized
the criticism that congress was not be-
Ing taken into the presidents conf
dence on matters he desires acted on.
Among the subjects discussed, it was
said, were the billion dollars appropri-
alton for the building Of merchant
fleet and the disputed points in the
army bill on which the house and SEN
ate leaders are deadiocksd. The espion-
age bill and other subjects also were
taken up.
President Wilson today began work
on setting the q, ,oo0 0oO, 900 appropria-
tion for merchant ships aud sent Tor
several senators On Tho appropriation
committee.
The committee informally discussed
the question Of putting the new appro-
priation on the new army and navy de-
hciency bill already passed by the
house. That bill ha5 been almost COM
pleted by the COMMITTEES.
Opposition Over Policy.
Opposition Is arising in congress over
the policies Of secrecy. suppression OF
public Information. censorship OF the
press and control Of the activities OF
the. people upon which the adnninistra-
tion Is endeavoring to found its con-
duct Of the war with Germany
The administration and congress are
already in sharp difference as regards
their views Of effective war policies.
The administration contends that Prus-
sian autocracy can be overthrown
most effectively by granting the presi-
dent power OF almost unlimited extent
and trusting him to do whatever Is nee
essary to achieve the national purpose.
Would Limit Powers.
A large element in congress IL now
evincing a disposition to limit the
powers Of the president, to take a
hand itself In the war policies, and, to
insist on publicity concerning all mat
So acute IL the situation that the adj
mlnistration leaders in the senate
forced another secret session yester-
day for the discussion OF the provision
Of the espionage bill authorizing the
president to impose embargoes on ex-
ports to any country.
Behind the closed doors Senator
Cummins and others continued to de-
nounce the policy Of secrecy and to
demand that congress and all the peo-
pie be informed Of the reasons for the
legislation sought by the admtnistra-
tion.
Charge British Rule.
The charge was made by the oppo-
administration indorsed the British
policy Of ratiohdng the neutral neigh.
bors Of Germany, but has allowed the
British war mission to shape Other
American war policies. This admin.
istration senator's denied, but at ths
same time insisted tina. az belllgerent
the United States IL constrained Il
adopt many policies It opposed VINE,
q neutral
It was alleged that there would have
been little opposition to the Legislation
had the president taken congress int
his confidence.
It now seems certain that there viii
be stubborn opposition to the admin
istration food bill conferrsrg on tht
president autocratic powers to regn'
late the distribution and price Of food
clothing, and other products.
Prose csnsorship Doomsd7
The press censorship provision Of tn.
administration espionage bill, undel
! wh,ch the president could dictate wha
the newspapers may print about TN
conduct Of the war also is doomed K
material modification is not defeat
Representative Tilson. Of Connect
cut. braved the censorship yesterda,
when ne informed the house Of the In
ability OF the administration to arm
the new army with Springfield rifles.
Secretary Of state Lansing's orSiAi