The sun., 1917-05-17
Lodge Leads i'm Attack on
Executive Branch for
Interfering.
USURPATION CHARGED
Senator Defends Congresses
Course in Analysing
War Measures.
SECRET SESSION is HELD
Democrats Join in Vehement
Attacks on Administra-
tiOn Leaders.


WAsHINaroN. May 1s.--Bitter re-
leaders who have accused Congress OF
diatory methods was voiced In the SEN
ate to-day when the war budget bill
displaced the food control measure be-
fore the Senate. and when an amend
ment introduced by the Senate Commit
ice on Appropriations providing 35o0,Ooo
. for the use OF the Council Of National
Defence came UP for discussion.
The Council OF National Defence. COM
posed of Cabinet officers; its civilian ed-
visory commission and the Government
shipping board were special targets Of
senatorial wrath. and President Wilson
himself was shartly criticised. The coun-
ell was charged with usurpation of au-
thority.. and with unlawfuiiy 1elegating
power to the advisory commission. Tho
shipping board was assailed for alleged
interference with private shipbuilders
and for insisting upon its wooden ship
programme. The President was attacked
Tor alleged lack Of cooperation and con-
sultation with Congress-
The upehot OF the entire discussion
was the adoption Of an amendment by
Senator Sterling Of South Dakota, set
ting forth that the powers Of the Coun-
Gil Of National Defence shall not be con-
sdered enlarged because Of war condi.
tons
Senator Lodge, Massachusetts. ex.
pressed the sentiments Of many members
Of both houses with regard to criticism
to which both bodies have been sub
!ected, and In the course Of his defence
Of the legislative branch Of the Govern
n,ent scored the Administration for It's
present tendency toward usurpation Of
legislative functionss----,-'---------As
Since the declaration Of war" said
Senator Lodge. tho work OF Congress
has been unusual and extraordinary.
Both the Senate and the House have
fven whole hearted and earnest devo-
ton to their duties"
Lodge Reviews Legislation.
After reciting q number Of the i'm
portant measures which have been con-
sidered and passed by the Congress In
the last six weeks. including the
declaration Of war itself. the issuance Of
the $1,000, 100000 in bonds and certfh.
Gates OF indebteness, the conscfiption
OIL and a score OF minor measures, Sena-
tor Lodge expressed the opinion that
never in the history OF the American
Congress had greater or more sincerely
honest attention been given to the func-
tons OF legislation. .t
The idea Ia growing in certain quar-.
ters." declared Senator Lodge, that the
rohcuons OF the Congress are simply to
serve as the vehicle for the enactment
INTO law Of whatever the executive
branch OF the. Government may formu.
nte Into Legislative proposition.
This idea has grown m the minds o.
some persons to the extent that all tina
Is necessary TO be done Is for a measure
to be framed by somevery excellent gen
temen perhaps only a very short Will.
holding a position of executive author
ity and for US to receive 1t. read II an,
pass 1t without discussion or amend
ment
Our functions are clearly defined
under the Constitution and we would b,
N he last degree recreant to our, duty I,
the people who have elected us X we dix
not discuss. analyHe and amend meas
ures as they come to US for coY,sldera
ton.
Refers to Espionage Bin.
We have devoted q considerable por
uon OF the time OF the Senate to the de
nates which finally resulted In the elm
nation Of those provisions Of the espion
age bill which the Administration ha,
' written and sent to us in completed form
Nhereunder vast powers OF control wer
granted over the collection and distribu
uon OF the news OF the nation.
But We are having demands mad
upon us for the abdication OF the func
nons of the Congress. These demand
come not from the President alone bu
Eom members Of tho Cabinet and froE
people whose Official positions are bu
creations Of the moment.
We shall not shorten the war by tn
eodicstion Of the powers vested by tn
Constitution In Congress. The most i'm
portant thing which we have now TO con
hlder Is how to carry on the war by KEEP
dustries. in the field. on the farm and
The factories. This demand for the ree
ulatory power to be placed. even as
war measure. In the hands OF the Ez
, eeutive hralch Of the GcvernH1snt to th
exclusion Of the prerosatives Of tho LEI
hiatve branch ts the. demand OF ur
reason
Business is iansuish,ns to-day not b,
cause OF absence OF the demands Of pre-
duction but because OF tho reason this
me people engaged In the industries Z
production are undergoing this unwsI
ranted suspense and are In fear {
threats TO destroy the rights Of the II
austries themselves. You must have n
spirit of confidence. You muAt make II
farmer and the business man feei ths
ne Is not to be interfered with VI
reasonably, unwarrantably and usclessi
Nc UnheeAing Delay.
1T Ia more than ever important
ms time OF the existence Of state (
war that these questions should be diI
eussed hero. There has been no ussies
2 OF unheeding delay. The debates In II
senate. and In the House ~ well. hay
az been genuine debates on the merit
OF the questions befors tho two house
Nor II Congress 10 be stampeds
either by the suggestion OF the demant
o' money or by the suggestion OF u
constitutional points invaded becaui
somebody thinks that unless he
granted unlimited powers tho coun1z
Ia "A t11