The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1917-08-07
WILSON TRIES TO
FORCE CONGRESS
ENDLABORS
COnfers With Senator Lewis
in Effort to Speed Up
War Bills.
URGES ADJOURNMENT
Republicans Insist on Re-
cess-Want to Watch
Executive.
HE Is FOR NO PEACE STEP
President viii Act at Proper
Time, Says Senate
Whip.
URGES ADJOURNMENT
HE Is FOR NO PEACE STEP
Special Despatch 70 Tnn srx.

WASHINGTON, Aug. 6.--In a long con-
ference with Senator James Hamilton
Lewis, the Democratic whip, at tn
White House to-day, President Wilson
indicated to him that 1t was about time
pending legislation in Congress was en-
acted, that adjournment was taken for
the summer and that the members
started for their homes. The Presldert
also is understood to have indicated ~
the Illinois Senator that he does not
consider, that this Is the time for dis
cussion OF peace terms with Germany.
On the question Of the peace discus
sion Senator Lewis said after the confeI-
ence:
"On that subject ! do not quote the
President. but do say for myself thu,
when the true signs Of peace based or
the principles for which America went
into this war shall appear the President
will be the first to treat with them bur
where they shall come disguised as
peace only to serve the further crueltics
of war and betrayal OF America Wood
row Wilson will be the last to be caught.
Will Act nt Proper Time.
The country will hear from the Pres,-
truth or any new actual conditions call
for him to take Congress and the people
into his confidence. lie will allow die
American people to lose no rights nor
suffer any wrongs that his diligence
can prevent. ] cannot say anything
further at this time on this subject"
1t was the Presidents thought that
Congress and the executive officials who
come into daily relation with the legis
nf Nta
| rack when a rest until the first Monday
in December would be highly rellshed by
| all, particularly the executives, although
It must be admitted the President did
not give expression to the latter phase
! of his thought
The President wants a free hand. II
is the general impression here that the
| Congress has done about all that even
| the most sanguine supporter Of the
Administration could wish along the
| lines of relinquishng to the Executive
all powers necessary or unnecessary to
the conduct of the war.
Il Hopes for Quick Action.
on this point Senator Lewis said:
The conference was on the general
! Legislative situation. The President Is
anxious that everything possible be done
| to straighten the war legislation that
| Congress and officials shall get some
! rest before the December session begins.
! Particularly does he desire that the Of
ficers of the Senate press TO early finish
the food bill and the revenue bill He
wished me to convey his desires to the
Senators, and his hopes for quick action
that will give all some rest"
Republicans are willing to facilitate
the passage of the war revenue legisa-
tion and to rush through such legisla-
ton amendatory to the existing bond
act as may be sought by the President
They are interposing only nominal op-
position to the acceptance of the food
bill, as finally agreed upon in the con
ference, but they do not feel 1t Is re
quired of them that they accept without
protest the plan of a ninety day interval
between sittings Of the Congress. The
Republicans are willing to have Congress
take a protracted recess Adjournment
is not part OF their plan and will b.
fought