Norwich bulletin., 1918-11-26
WASHINGTON AFFAIRS
fspecial to The Builrtin.)

W 6nlllIlS tOu O. Y .4Soh' So'E 2 1
 new Washington we find today. and one filled with disquiet4ng peace
 topics. Four weeks ago nothing but
 war talk flied the air. How to get enough men overseas and how to feed
 theTns how to provide them with arms and Huniti0a was the basis of all con.
 sressioual action. Now Inc situation is reversed and tremendous problems
 of reconstruction are the only things
 talked about It is safe ts predict that
 never has there been Q wider parting
 of the ways than will develop in the next session: Tl1e mighty questions to
 he dealt with will make the present
 congress one Of immense power and
 importance. How the present demo-
 cratic congress win use that power
 and how the democratic administration
 will harrnonize with the republican
 congress to be seated next March are
 the topics of the day. The adminis-
 tration has been accustomed to mark
 out a path and congress has blindly
 followed. The republicans have not
 only backed the president in all his
 war policies but have often led the way Tn matters of reconstruction there must necessarily De & parting Of the ways or the fundamental differ
 eIice of political parties would be
 merged. The question of merchant
 marine, tariff, government control of railroads, telegraph telephone, cables and other public utilities; whether or not there shall be universal military training, whether it shall be congress or the administration alone which shall map out the great roiieies ot reconstruction, and hundred and one other matters of vital importance must come to the front, In fact the conduct of this great nation in 1nsur- ing peace and prosperity within it's own territory and the maintenance of diplomatic and commercial relations abroad will be largely lea't with by the congress now in power or the one
 to come into power March 4th.
 What about the millions of men who
 went into service and thereby lost their positions in the indu:ifial world Will they be reiHstated or will thelr substitutes continue 70 hold the places they now fill2 What about the men and women who are turned back | from war work hv cancellation Of great war orders? Will women step back | into domestic life or will they try 1 to sit tight as yeowomen. elevator run 1 nerS, clerks. lnunition workers In which positions they are now hiE fac 1 tors? Can colleges be turned back in | 10 their old channels after having a ' tdste of Selective work and military discipline? Who will bear the loss on cancelied contracts? What about the 1 taiiffg Shall we conform te our own 1 needs or set up a policy desired by allied nations with which we are now more closely in touch lhan ever be- fore? If men take back their old jobs what will become of the women work | CTS? If the women hold fast. what will become of the men? It will take l strong hand and d clear head to steer 1 congress aleng the right Tath. and congressional leadership is so!nethins to be hieilIy pFized this year. In the | senate the matter is already settled bv the selection of Senator Lodge ei | Massachusetts as republiean leader 1 Tn the house the matter IS in the afr 1 But the spec kershin. is ikely to fal oil the shoulders of Gillett of Massa ehusetts! at present acting floor lead l CT .Manh of illinois will he a canAl- l date if his health permits and tffte fs a loud call From tse west and mid
 die- west for a candidate of their own 1 One thing is sure, New England vii get through Mir Gilletf | big lead l 4fship ttlace in ene form or another Mir. f1iliett will eithfa be sE@akel If6ffNDneen NpOI IedQGF GE HdlIIildH S the powerful approximation commit tee, before which all matters of fl nance relating to New England In terssts must come.
 | Conh4etieut will find both her sen Iatots in powerful committee places
 Senator Brandegee is high up on tht judiciary and foreign relations com rrittees and will get an ipportan chairmansliip when the readjustmen Iof senate committees comes abou March 4th Moreover he is yer! strongly talked of for president prt tenIpore- of the senate rosition fo which he is erninentty fitted by Ions experience thorough Knowledge o narIinmentaFv law and pFaetiees fepu tatitn for lerfSrt fairness and tn
 confidence ir which he is held bv re
 ,uhiicans and democrats alike. Bran
 degee is fearless, positive and out spoken. Ydii can't make him hack ul
 hill it he heiieves himself to be in tn
 right. And le is pretty sure to D able to substantiate his statement with facts worth knowing.
 Senator MdLeaF, will undoubtedly D
 given the chnirrnanshfp of the com mittee on banking and currency, be
 fore which many great |irnbletns Q I l licafi control of congress. Mclean ranking member at present. and eve though the stniprlty rule were not i
 force, lie would probably be selecte
 fer the chalrmansfip br account ( his fitness and the notAnie work h } has done as a minority nsinher of ths 1. committee during denoetatic eohtre h the houee t is too early f [ hazard a guess as to wfat commit tee positions will fall to the lot of th , Connecticut representatives, excer ] that it IS a safe prediction that a , four republicans will be placed as ma ierlty members. Tilsen is likely to | given place on the appropriation I comfnittee, IS coast dsfense, Inuni 2 ticns and other matters iii which | has special training as q leading mem < Der Of the military affairs committe Z will be anibng the important rnattei
 to be brought before tiiIt eomn1itte
 for consideration. Lonergah will no
 be minority member. aul FreefnaI
 Glyhn and Merritt are pretty sure