Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-02-18
URGENT WAR BILLS
HAVE FIRST CALL.
Senate Plans to Dispose of Rail
road Legislation Before
End Of Week.
DAYLIGHT SAVING CO MING
House Will Take Up Billio,i-
Dollar Deficiency Appro-
priation Bill.
DAYLIGHT SAVING COMM G
ERv A.soci.tcd prnssl


WASHINGTON. February l7.-rr-cnt
war measures, tho administration rail-
road legislation, tho war finance cor
poration, measure and The billion dollar
urscn, deficiency appropriation bill
have the right of way in Congress this
week.
\ lull in the controversy over war
efficiency Is in prospect while Congress
dcvotca itself to the legislation de-
sired at once by tho government and
also whiIc further strategic moves arc
made with respect to bills for rcor-
sauiHations OF war-makinE machinery.
Disposal during tho week Of tho
railroad bill, TO govern operation Of
the carriers while under Federal con-
troll. IS planned in the Senate. It's pas
sage substantially as reported by tho
Interstate Commerce Committee and by
an overwhelming vote generally pre-
dctcd Tomorrow Chairman Smith. of
the Interstate Commerce Committee
plans TO seek an agreement fixing
date for final vote.
HOPE TO DISPOSE: OF RAILROAD
DiLI. WITHIN A FORTNIGHT
In the House the $1,000. 900 de-
ucicncy bill and the daylight wing
measure arc to be acted upon. Then
the railroad measure will he brought
up. and within fortnight Capitol
leaders hope to have an agreement
reached in conference and the bill sent
TO the President.
PROMPT senate passage OF the admin
strat!on bill creating war finance
corporation to supervise security issues
IS expected once the railroad lcEisla-
ton is out Of tho way. Hearings Of
the Finance Committee virtually are
concluded. and approval of the measure
by the Senate, with some amendments
but with comparatively brief debate.
IS believed probable by Chairman Sim
mons ana Republican Leader GaIlngcr
The House Ways and Means Committee
tomorrow Viii agree upon Its program
with respect to the bill.
Final action also is expected in both
bodies OF Congress this week on the
bill authorizing the Shipping Board to
spend $4,000 900 in the emergency TO
house ship workers.
Tic American people, beginning this
spriuE. probably will be required by
law TO turn their timepieccs an hour
forward under the daylight saving
movement. Favorable action on the
pending hill is expected in tho House
this week and tho Senate already has
passed a similar bill. Virtually the
only dispute i regarding the time this
spring when thc plan shall be put into
effect.
The next movement planned in the
Senate controversy over war efficiency
and organization is Il meeting tomorrow
Of the Senate Judiciary subcommittee.
headed by Senator Ovcrman. to begin
consideration OF the administration bill
proposing TO give the President wider
authority in rcorEarizing Federal de
partincn:s and other agencies. Some
amendments designed To allay opposi-
;ion are looked for. The Senate Mil
itary Committee also may vote this
week on the way cabinet measure. The
committee apparently is dcadlockcd in
tic at the present. Renewal of The
Senate debate is not expected for sew
cral days but Senator McKellar, OF
Tennessee. Military Committee mem
Der. and Senator Shields. his colleague.
arc preparing addresses respectively
for and against the Military Commit
tees legislation.
Investigation OF meat. wheat and
other foodstun shortages by the Sen
ate Agriculture Committee and of tho
Hog Island shipyard situation by the
committee Will continue. Other con-
gress onal inquiries virtually arc con-
cluded. but there is agitation for start
ing an Investigation OF labor problems
Members OF the Senate Manufacturers
subcommittee. which investigated sugar
and Goa! shortages, are working on
their reports, and speeches may be
made this weekend on the evidence
heard.
With the urgent deficiency appro-
priation bill before the House. many
other big supply measures arc to come
out shortly. The diplomatic appropria-
tion bill, already passed by the House,
soon is TO be brought before the Sen
atc-the first supply mea sure 10 be CON
sidcred there The legislative execu-
tive and judicial and the annual rivers
and harbors lcaSures, as we'll as the
naval hudg"' and other approximation
bills are nearing comnIction l., .c,,