South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-01-02
LOOK FORWARD
TOPRESIDENT'S s
RAIL MESSAGE
Fight Over Guaranteeing Of
Dividends Only Serious Con-
trOverSy in Sight For
Transportation Program.
InternatIonaI News Service .

international News Service
WASHINGTON. Jan. 2.-The
holiday recess at an end, congress
made ready today 10 take up Amer
iCa's war legislative problems in rear
earnest. With the reconvening gavel
scheduled 20 fall at noon tomorrow
In both houses, senators and con-
gressmen. returned to their duties.
found themselves confronted with
the most tremendous program ever
laid before an American parlia-
mentar9 body.
Standing foremost in the prob
lens clamOring for immediate atten-
tior was the railroad question. Pres't
Wilson's expected message. recon-
mending legislation 20 complete the
governments task i'm taking over
The railroads. was the topic of chief
interest al the capitol. steps have
already been taken 10 insure prompt
response TO the presidents recon-
snendations. but sharp fighting over
the guaranteeing Of dividends ap-
pelled inevitable.
Price Fixing Up.
Price liking legislation as urged
by the president in his annual mes
sage. was also thrust into the fore
ground OF the legislative program
totay. The Pomerene bill, fixing
prices Of iron and steel and many Of
their products, viii be pushed by its
supporters with the aid of the ad-
ministration. other measures Of
revolutionary character, reaching
even further into the price fixing
question. are 20 be offered az an
early date.
The cor gressionaI schedule, ar
ransed before the recess. calls for
votes upon important measures al
mts. Immediately after reconvening.
The house is under agreement to
vote tomorrow on the measure au-
Ih0r.e!ng the treasury 20 purchase
100000. 600 OF farm loan bonds
which have become a drug on the
marker because OF the absorption Of
she monev market by the govern
NEXT The senate is bound. by a
similar agreement. TO vote on Jan.
E ON the so-caned leasing bill.
throwing open TO developments
milHons Of acres of enormously val
uabIe mineral lands now controlled
lv The government. on Jan. 10. the
house will vote or the nationwide
wamen's suffrage resolution.
Probes are Resumed.
The congressional probe into the
conduct of the war was resumed
with new vigor today. Five phases
of the investigation were again un-
dc~ way. The senate military affairs
coumitteg went into the profiteering
scandals which have been in circula
tion about army contracts. The
house naval affairs committee plan
ned 20 renew It's inquiry into the
affairs Of the navy Herbert c
Hoover. food administrator. was
ready 10 go before the senate man
ufactures subcommittee invesugat-
ing the sugar shortage. The senate
commerce committee continued its
INVESTIGATION of the shipping pro-
gram. while the senate Interstate
commerce committee summoned
railroad executives 90 give their
views about the financial needs OF
the railroads.
Remedies Proposed.
legislative remedies for Condi-
&c date began TO appear in large
Numbers TODAY. Many measures "a
-peed Up the war are being drafted
Tor carly consideration of the SEN
ate Creation Of a munitions direc-
tor. or a small and compact muni-
tions board. will be urged 10 take
The place of the various conflicting
authorities now engaged in she war
management. Universal military SER
vice viii be offered as safeguard
against recurrence Of the unpre-
paredness which marked America.
entrance into the war. Abolishmen'
of the shipping hoard and the emer-
gency fleet corporation and the es-
adjustment OF a director Of ship
ping and ship building viii also
be one q the recommendation oi
a number of the commerce commit.
tee nov engaged in probing Tho