The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1917-02-26
Enough Legislative. Dynamite
Stored Up to Explode All
Governmental Plans
HOPE ABANDONED ON
PRESIDENTS PROGRAM
Possibility Looms Large For
Extra Session as Much I'm
perativc LegisIati n Seems
Hopelessly Stalled

Washington, Feb. 2a.--t'scing what
is probably the most complex ,egis-
latire situation that ever confronted
a national legislative body, the sixty
fourth congress tonight prepared fur
its final week OF life.
In the mass of taugfe twist
al law making business tied up
In the house and senate. congress
sionai leaders saw legislative dy-
Mantle enough to explode all gov
ernmcntal plans
MI hope for the general lesis-
Iativc prog ram laid down by
President Wilson AT the beginning
or the present session was abaH.
doned. The great railroad re-
form program. and til, export
trade bill suggested by the prc,i-
dent were doomed.
House and senate will convene 10.
morrow confronting this situation
Appropriation otaling about a bill
lion and half dollars are in various
stages Of enactment, and must ba
completed TO supply the daily neces-
stiles of the government.
Revenue Bills Wednesday,
The revenue bills to refill the Golfers
of tho treasury will lie voted on We'd
nesday in the senate and If it is ma
teriaiiy amended will call for further
eebdtS HI tlt house.
The possibilities of the internation-
al situation are unknown, but ii IL
practically certain Wednesday Presi-
dent Wilson will ask congress TO in
crease his authority to deal with the
German crisis.
Behind the situation looms the pos
sihiiity OF an extra session OF the
next congress, If any legislation fails
10 find it's wa. TO tho statute books
during the strenuous days of the
coming week. Only arduous day and
night sessions and the total elimina-
ton of all obstructive opposition can
complete the absolutely necessary
measures.
Ready to Block Vital Acts.
The fiiibuter of senate Republ!-
cans designed to force the president
into the open with his foreign policy
reached a temporary truce with an
agreement to vote on the big revenue
bill Wednesday evening.
But II the Republicans are dis
satisfied with tho presidents i'm.
tcrnationai program when IL IL
announced they will he in posi-
ton to absolutely block such
legislation ~ the president may
demand, and all other measures.
\ iiibustcr started i'm tho senate
ti Neuiis>$iaS NOuiu prevent the
enactment Of virtually necessary
legislation and would undoubted-
~ prevent the enactment OF
vitality necessary legislation and
would undoubtedly rorcc an extra
session of congress.
The senate has not yet acted on
the army appropriation bill with its
$3.50, 00o,0 900 for defense. or the en-
ormous naval budget, appropriatiug
s533oo6 600. The failure Of these
two bills would rudeIy halt all MILL
tary preparedness. and would ieop-
ardize he foreign policy of the adj
ministration in handling the present
crisis
The house will tomorrow continue
its suuabble over the sundry civil bill,
with it's sl3S 900, 600 for routine gov
eminent expenses The pension bill.
carrying $3.50, 100000, still awaits
action in the senate. The big agri-
cultural and postoffice appropriation
bills are IN joint conference commit
tees wit, bitter disputes in progress
over difference between the house
and senate. The senate has not vet
passed the general deficiency appro.
priation bill