New Britain herald., 1917-01-19
WILSON CALLS FOR
SPEED in CONGRESS
Confers Nearly Two Hours Re-
garding Legislative Program
ADAMSON BILL SUBSTITUTE
Head of Irainmcn's brotherhood Tells
House Commerce Committee, Board
Disputes.

Washington, Jan. 19.-In an effort
to clear the legislative calendar of ad-
mlnistration measures before the next
house with questionable political
status in power, President, Wilson
conferred at the capitol today with the
senate steering committee.
For two hours he went over the
program he outlined in his opening
address to congress last December,
laying particular stress upon railroad
meaures. He said that he still de-
sired enactment Of the whole pro-
gram before March if possible.
In addition to revenue legislation,
the president also urged action on the
corrupt practices bill, the Webb bill,
water power and mineral land leasing
measures, and the Porto Rican citi-
zenship bill.
Although there was no suggestion Of
an extra session, the presidents pro-
gram cannot be completed by March
4. Senator Kern declared
AS he left he said he had merely
come to the capitol to confer about
the legislative program and indicated
that by that he meant the legislation
read in his annual address,
President Wilson expressed indigna-
ton at reports published after his
visit to the capitol yesterday that he
would veto one or both of the water
power bills. Such false reports, he
said, only served ito throw a monkey
wrench into the legislative ma
chinery."
Lees Program
w. G. Lee, head of the Trainmen's
Brotherhood, today presented a sub
stitute plan for President Wilson's
railway labor legislation to the house
commerce committee.
A board of eight, equally divided
between railway workers and opera
ting officials, appointed by the presi-
dent, would solve all the present diff
-oulties over working sscpnditions, pc
said,y would command unqualified res
spect Of the four brotherhoods and,
despite the fact that it would be
evenly divided, he. predicted there
| would be no deadlocks. ,-...',
Mr. Lee appeared primarily to OPP
pose the Adamson bill to compel
ninety days notice of a strike or lock-
out Under legislation, as he pro-
posed, Mr.: Lee said both sides would
get justice and there would be no
necessity for the Adamson bill now
before you or any other legislation
relating to hours or wages.
Newland Admits Telling Tales.
Senator Newlands acknowledged to
the senate today that 1t was he who
furnished to Interstate Commerce
Commissioner Daniels while it was
considered to be held confidential, the
executive session speech of Senator
Cummins attac the commission
er's confirmation.
Opponents of Commissioner Dan
iels contended that he having poses
sion Of the speech was enabled to
prepare a reply.
After the statement OF Senator
Newland the senate went into execu-
tive session to consider Senator Nor
ris' resolution to investigate the dis
closure of the speech.
Senator Newlands said he had no
idea that the rule of secrecy would
be invoked to prevent an appointee of
the president under consideration of
this body from receiving informatio
regarding the objections urged to
him." He also explained that he had
Immediately told Senator Cummins
of his action and has advised the SEN
ate in executive session.
Senator Cummins said he sincerely
hoped the penalty of expulsion from
the senate prescribed in the rules for
violating a confidence of an executive
session would not be invoked against
Senator Newlands.