Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-12-10
DOMESTIC PROBLEMS
TO OCCUPY CONGRESS
Railroad Question Holds Most I'M
portant Place on This Weeks
Calendar.
SPECIAL ADDRESS PROBABLE
Decision OF Necessary Legislation
Expected TO BE Followed by Pres
identiai Address = Suffrage and
Prohibition Before House.
IBy Associated press.l,

-.
WASHINGTON. December a.-C.ou-
sress' having disposed OF the war
declaration against Austria ,Hunsary,
turns this week TO pressing domestic
problems.
Foremost OH The new legislative cal
endar gradually assuming definite
shape is the railroad question Con-
sressional leaders plan immediate ac-
tion when President Wilson's decision
regarding measures 10 unity railroad
operations is made known. 4 special
address to Congress on the subject is
regarded as possible ii the Presiden,
decides legislation is necessary.
Rapid Developments are expected this
week. Tomorrow President Wilson
Will confer with Senator Newlands
chairman OF the Senate Interstate
Commerce Committee. and the head of
The Joint congressional committee con-
ductinG general transportation In
vest!Gation. Senator NewlandS hopes
TO submit a statement Oh behalf OF the
railroad executives as n result OF their
conference to-day at New York
Tuesday the joint congressional COM
nittee is scheduled to resume its hear
inss with former Senator Bristow. Of
Kansas, and other shippers represcn-
iatives on the stand.
Members OF Congress are busy study
ing Information OIL the railroad prob
lem. in expectation OF early legislation.
There is wide difference OF views on
the proposals for government control
OF. the railroads. voluntary unihcation
OF the transportation system and on
government financial aid.
COMMITTEES TO HURRY
APPROPRIATION BILLS
There is much general business on
the calendar TO be disposed OF before
recessinG for the holidays The SEN
ate Will reconvcnc tomorrow and the
House Tuesday. with committees OF
both bodies planning to proceed with
appropriation bills and other measures.
Debate will continue in the Senate on
the Webb export bill.
Passage this week by the House OF
the $3.50. 100000 post office appropria- :
tion bill also is planned.
Woman suffrage and prohibition are
promised attention. The House .Ju-
dietary Committee expects to act Tues
day on resolutions proposing consti;u-
tional amendments. and there is talk
OF votes on both in the House next
week. Polls on both are being taken.
and are said 20 indicate the probable
Gefeat for the suffrage and victory for
prohibition.
The soldiers and sailors civil rights
hill. which passed the House at the
last session. but was held up in the
Senate. probably will be considered to-
morrow by the Senate Judiciary Com
Llittee.
legislation supplomenting the AUS
trian war declaration, in behalf Of 80
henians. Poles. Czechs and other AUS
trian subjects whom many members
think should not he classified as enemy
aliens. VIII be considered during the
week h. committees OF both bodies OF
Congress.
The House Military Committee will
continue its hearings Tuesday on the
army appropriation bill
Some effort has been made TO hurry
ur all Of the appropriating committees,
bat so far there is no supply measure
in sight in tho House except tho postal
budget.