The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-12-07
Tells Of His Plans to Attend tht
Peace Conference as a Par
amount Duty.
.MAJoR PART OF ADDRESS
DEVOTED TO HOME ISSUES
After the War Problems Are OF
the Greatest Importance and
Situation Calls for the Best
and Most Patriotic Service OF
Congressman.

81
e washington, Dec. 2.-Consress in
soint session today heard President
Wilson formally state his purpose TO
attend the peace conference, and give
his views on the part the government
should play in dealing with after the
war problems.
Democrats of the house received
the announcement with, cheers in
4 which some senator's joined; the Re-
publicans were silent almost through
out the address except when the pres
ident referred 10 the valor ard eff
Z cheney of Americas soldiers and men
I. toned the names Of Pershing and
Sims Threatened interruptions by
I members who disapproye of the trip
and of the presidents failure to IN
cfude senator among the peace dele
gates. however, did not nlaterialize.
During the first hour OF the new
session, Senator Cummins OF Iowa,
Republican, introduced a resolution to
send a committee CT eight senator's to
Paris to keep the senate advised OF
the progress Of the peace conference
and in the house Representative Rod
enbuly of Illinois, Republican, had Of
tered a resolution proposing that the
vice president take over the execu-
tive functions upon the departure OF
Mr. Wilson from the country. Senator
Sherman Of Illinois. Republican, an
nounced later that he would submit
tomorrow a resolution similar to that
of Representative Rodenbury, except
that it would declare the Office Of the
president vacant.
The presidents annual address was
read before q crowd that filed floors
and galleries He reviewed at length
the country's accom- plishnaents in the
war. paying tribute to the armed
forces and to loyal workers at home
Among other things he disclosed that
he thinks the problem Of readjust-
rnent is taking care Of itself without
government aid.
It is surprising" he said, chow
: fast the progress cf return to Q peace
footing has moved in the three weeks
since the fighting stopped. It promis-
'es to outrun any inquiry that may be
Instituted and any aid that may be
offered. II Will not be easy to direct
1t any better than it viii direct it
self. sS.sEae..A::aericsan business man is
eegu!ck Initiative" {"
OF the railroad question, Mr.. Will
son SAID ne had no solution TO offer.
He said he was ready to return the
lines to private control whenever q
satisfactory arrangement was offered
TO prevent q, return to the old sys-
TENS under private management with
out modification and asked congress
to study the subject.
Recommendation included are
newed appeal for woman suffrage IN
recognition Of woman's work in the
war; request for early and favor
able acton on the unrati5ed Colom-
bian treaty and a. suggestion that al
thority should be given the war trade
board or some other body to continue
control for o time over exports.
The president concluded with the
announcement of his forthcoming trip
overseas He said since the associat-
ed governments had accepted pri1ci-
pies enunciated by him as the basis
for peace, ard reasonably desired his
personal counsel in their interpreta-
ton, he regarded it as his paramount
auty 70 60 Through cables and Wire
saess. ne added, he would keep in
c:ose touch with al that goes on on
this side, and you VIII know all that
do" He appealed for the encourage
ment and added strength of united
support from congress
There was no debate in either
house on the presidents trip to
) France. The only reference to it in
the house was made by Representa-
tive Mann Of Illinois, the Republican
leader. after the president had de!iv-
cred his annual address at the joint
session in the house chamber.
Il am not objecting to the presi-
dent going abroad" said the Repub-
hean leader. but think wise gen.
tlemen on the majority side Of the
house ought to be able to inform
congress wl1at course IS to be pursued
when matters come before Us. Is
there any way by which we may
make into law anything put through
congress before the president re-
turns?''
There was 10 reply to the question,
and after the unimportant bill then
under discussion was passed Repre-
sentative Kitchin Of North Carolina,
the Democratic leader, moved ad-
journnaent unit! tomorrow.
After the president spoke, the SEN
ate was in session only . short while.
At the opening Of its session, how
ever, Senator Sherman Of Illinois ask
ed that a newspaper article regarding
plans for the personal comfort Of
President Wilson and his party
on the trip abroad be read. SEN
ator Phe3an OF California objected. but
on viva voce vote the senate ordered
the article read