The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1918-07-03
CONGRESS
ANOTHER CRISIS
Recess Propaganda Upsets
Plans Of Administration
Leaders.
RECESS IS THREATENED
Denounced as Legislative Strike
in Face of National
Emergency.
international News Service. J

international News Service.)
Washington, July S.-A show down
on whether congress shall recess or
shall stay In Washington and pass the
Aswell resolution giving the president
power to seize all American commune
| cations as n military necessity was
scheduled for late this afternoon.
Facing the threat OF strike of telc.
graphers employed by the Western
Union at Z o'clock next Monday morh-
ing, the president desires to take con-
troll of the systems before that time.
No doubt Of the presidents desire re-
| mained today, although he has thus far
kept himself in the back ground.
On the other hand. leaders Of the
faction wishing recess, including Ma
jority Leader Kitchin, planned to put
In recess resolution tonight. II an
agreement could be reached on the
army appropriation bill in the mean
time. They would have the Aswell
resolution go over until after the re-
cess. t
I'VE shall recess tonight. In spite OF
the Aswell resolution, unless the man af
the other end of the avenue hollers."
Representative Garner. of Texas,
strong democratic leader. predicted.
The interstate commerce commissions
was ready to report the Asweli resol0-
ton favorably to the house this after
noon. Chairman Sims denounced the
threat to recess as "a Legislative strike
In the face of national emergency.
Foreseeing defeat the recess adyol
Gates brought threats Of Compelling
the most careful and deliberate con-
sideration" II they were compelled to
stay in Washington and pass the rcso-
luton, into play today. Thus they laid
the ground work for new congress
sional crisis. that may force President
Wilson to straighten 1t out.
With the congress In recess over
Independence Day, only two legislative.
days will remain in which to pass the
resolution through both houses before
the Western Union strike is scheduled
TO take effect. Unusual expedition
could make the resolution law by
Saturday night. but the slightest In
ciination to use care and deliberation"
would hold II up for many days.
The situation today Is much the same
that was confronting the president
when a railroad strike was threatened
TWO years ago and he was compelled
to go before congress to jam through
the Adamson law In time to avert IL.
Thus far, there has been no open ef-
tort TO get the strike called Off or post
poned. The president Is said to feel
that ne cannot conscientiously make a
rostponement request. This relieyes
leaders of the telegraphers from what
would be very embarrassing position,
Tor such request from the president
In time of war could not well be
resisted.
PRESIDENT Wilson's determination to
take over the systems is evidenced by
his request to the department of Justice
that 1t determine whether he could take
control without additional law. There
was speculation today whether the
president. failing to secure passage OF
the Aswell resolution. would not as A
last resort take the systems over by
executive order Sunday night as "a
military necessity" This was the
course followed by Secretary Daniels
early In the war when he took over
he radio systems. At that time. how
ever, attention had not been. called u
ne fact that he had no power to take
such action. FFI
This recess propaganda has serio,is-
y damaged the legislative morale"
'aid Chairman Sims today. 1T con-
emplates nothing more or less than n
legislative strike in the face Of national
emergency. Four years ago. when
senator Underwood was leader of tho
l0use. 1t was necessary to pass a res
'lution Withholding n part of the pay
It absent members in order to main
ain quorum. Such action will be 2
appropriate at this time If members,
ailing to get formal recess, decide TO
% home any way" .HAf MI