Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1917-09-29
CONGRESS TIRED,
READY TO QUIT
Bernstorff "Slush Fund" Insinu-
ations Anger Members-Plan-
ming for Next Session


Special Correspondence Of the EveninO LEDGER
WASHINGTON. Sept. 2s.
CONGRESS has been in restless mood
~ throughout the week. Members of the
Senate and House have been here SO lone
and are so anxious to quit and go home
that tho announcement on Thursday that
the two weeks labors Of the conferees on
the tax bill had been concluded was hailed
with general satisfaction, more especially
as the week opened with a threatened in
quiry into charges made by an Alabama
member that certain Of his colleagues were
mixed up in the distribution of the alleged
$4,000 Bernstorff "slush fund"
The insinuations which "the gentleman
from Alabama" made were so reported as
to appear to reflect upon the entire MEM
bership Of the House and Senate, and they
so ranked that dire punishment was threat
ened, Notwithstanding rumors and counter
rumors as to the attitude of the White
House and the desire to go home. Con.
gress is not especially fond Of investiga-
tions when suggested toward the close of
a session, and the Bernstorff business had
the effect of angering members because OF
the time and method of its introduction.
1t also threatened controversy between
Congress and the State Department which
would cause delay. In addition, it played
some part in a readjustment of the plans
of certain members who had thought Of
accepting the British invitation to go over
to Europe to obtain first-hand information
of war conditions along the battle lines.
The Senate and House Committees on
Foreign Affairs had been disposed to en-
courage the acceptance of the invitation,
but the President finally disapproved it,
owing to possible complications and embar-
rassments.
"Interparliamentary Union"
A temporary quietus was likewise put
upon the proposition emanating from Frencn
sources to have the American Congress Join
an interparliamentary union now consisting
Of representatives of Great Britain, France
and Italy who meet at the respective capi-
tails Of war and state. 1t was explained by
the brench delegation, which brought this
suggestion to the United States, that the
legislative conditions affecting war had been
improved by these voluntary conferences of
representative of the Allies and that they
might be still further advanced by the par.
ticipation of such representatives as would
be selected by the American House of Rep
The second sober thought of the House
leaders seemed to incline toward the presi-
Dental view that voluntary agencies under
taking to cooperate with similar agencies
in foreign lands might ultimately lead TO
that would be embarrassing
to those upon whom the responsibility rest,
Tor the conduct of the war 1t was pointed
out that interparlamentary peace unions
had done much toward the Improvement OF
general goodwill prior to the war; but
doubt was expressed whether the extension
Of mere goodwill, or even of good fellow
ship, carried from country to country al
the present time, might not add to the
difhculties of the fighting forces. For the
present, therefore, although there are sew
eral American Congressman now on the
other side of the water seeking information
on their own account it is not likely that
any authorized expedition now will be Or
ganized.
Getting Ready for Next Session
At best there will be only two months
vacation for the tired and weary members
of this most extraordinary war session. It
all depends upon when adjournment comes.
II It does not come until the middle of
October or later there will be little or no
for European tours of any
kind. A trip to Hawaii at the invitation
IF the officials Of the islands has been
for a few members interested
IN the work of the Committee on Terri.
-ories, but it depends upon when the con-
sressional school breaks up"
One inspection trip that doubtless will
AXE place is being arranged by the people
IF Texas for the Rivers and Harbors Com
nttee, which is expected to connect with
he Atlantic Deeper Waterways Associa-
ion Convention at Miami, Fla, during the
asst week of November. Congress must
'econvene in regular session during the
irst week of December, and every member
8 shaping his plans 10 be back on the job !
1t that time. The December session will
mark the beginning of another long war
session, but il will not be limited to war
topics, as the present session has been. 1t
will have plenty of war business-Sena-
or Martin, the Democratic floor leader, in
imated the other day that 1t might be a
$50, 900, 900 900 session-but it will have
10 embrace wider field than war alone.
Thousands of bills that have been in
reduced and referred TO committees, bear
ng upon every conceivable subject, will
hen come up for consideration. There
nave been no pension bills this session, no
public buildings and grounds appropria-
ions no good roads problems, no claims
md few questions affecting banking and
currency, agriculture. coinage weights and
measures, education, immigration and
labor or insular affairs. The
rrepressible suffrage question has been held
I'D this session and will expect consdera-
lion in the next. Moreover, the time for
hearings will come when business men will
laye learned to understand the effects of the
evenue laws which have been enacted.
A New Tax Measure
The Ways and Means Committee will be
20, Y,axNTt Of