South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-02-26
CONGRESS STARTS
ITS FINAL WEEK
Revenue and Defense Appr0-
priation Measures Are Ex-
peCted to Pass.

WASHINGTON. Feb. 2s. - The
satin congress has entered upon the
last week OF it, official existence.
sdn facing extraordinary legislative
congestion.
Republican leaders in the senate.
who Saturday night had threatened
10 defeat the emergency revenue bin
b. dilat0ry tactics. agreed 10 a final
vote on the measure next Wednes-
day night when confronted with the
democratic determination to hold
the senate in continuous session.
Danger Of further efforts 20 force
an extra session has not disappear
ed. however. for some OF the minor
it's insist that the president should
be forced 10 summon the 65th con-
Rress 10 be on hand for eventualities
in the European crisis.
When the republicans made peace
with the desperate majority some of
the minority leaders frankly confess
ed 20 the belief that the action would
avoid necessity for an extra session.
Others would not concede this, al
though they admitted circumstances
might develop during the week
which would clear the situation ma
terially.
Leaders are Jubilant.
Administration leaders, nOtwith-
standing the possibility OF further
obstructive tactics interfering with
the great army and navy appropria-
ton measures and the sundry civil
appropriation bin. were jubilant to-
day over the breaking of the reve-
nue. Gibuster and expressed convic-
ton that all differences yet TO arise
may be lroned out i'm the strenuous
closing hou-s Of the session.
Whether Pres't Wilson is TO go
before congress before adjournment
TO discuss the relations between the
United States and Germany, the
democratic leaders in both houses
frankly state they do not know.
Many Of them expect that he will,
but co not profess to know what he
will ask
An indication Of the feeling of
some of the republicans following
the heated discussion Saturday of
their complaints of lack OF forceful
action on the part of the govern
ment 10 protect American shipping
interests against the German sub
marine blockade. came in the intro
duction of a bill by Sen. Fall of New
Mexico. which would authorize the
president 20 use the armed forces of
the nation 10 protect the commerce,
property and lives OF citizens Of the
United States. II was admitted in
moment OF democratic mapping and
took administration senators by sur
prise Sen. Stone, chairman Of the
foreign relations committee, voiced
regret that any senator should have
introduced il and insisted that it be
referred TO the committee. Whether
anything Will come from the resOlu-
ton is doubtful as administration
leaders will do nothing with it until
the president is heard from on the
issue. There is certain TO be further
discussion. however. before the
gavel signals the end of the congress
on March 4.
Many Bills Will Fail.
That nearly all pending general
legislation so long urged by the
president must fail at this session,
now is practically conceded 10y every
one. If the revenue. army and navy,
sundry civil and minor apprOpria-
ton measures still pending get
through. that is all that the most
sanguine democrats expect. Substi
tuition Of a lump appropriation for
the rivers and harbors bill is almost
conceded. The public buildings bill
is generally admitted 10 be dead.
The flood control bin viii be talked
10 death Monday in the five hours
allotted 20 il.
Railroad labor legislation the
corrupt practices and conservation
bills all have practically no chance
even for consideration. There is