The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1918-07-17
CONGRESS WANTS VACATION.
PRACTICALLY AGREED no m
CESS UNTIL August 10.


~ " 'H'h' .hditcfS " III DC Made.
Today.
washington. July li.-Eforts o.
congressman in washington for -
summer vacation were i'm full svino,
To-Day Most senator's departed under
'he agreement made yesterday to slls-
pcnd important business until August
~ although few remained TO hold
the pcrfunctory sessions Mondays ana
! ihurSdayS Of each week, required hv
law WiiIIe many representatives LETT
town in anticipation of formal agree
mont by the house tomorrow for =
similar vacation until August 10. Ia
/ preparing for this brief rest, leaders
viewed with satisfaction the record
of legislation made since the second
session Of The slXtY-lifth or war" con
sresa began, December 3.< 1917. He
/ tinnin& with the adoption of the res -
oIutioh for declaration Of war on
tAustria- Hungary December 7, the
record is considered remarkable in
view OF the unprecedented import
ance of most of the problems pre-
scnted
a maj clean up OF minor odds and
ends of legislation awaits both senate
ana house ut their sessions tomorrow.
The lower body plans to pass the S22.
ooo.oO agricultural appropriation hil
with the $40 wheat price amend
m"nt, which caused the president tC
veto the measure, eliminated, but ii IT,
expected to pcstpcnc water power de
VcIopment Legislation unit! August -
Drafting Of the revenue measure
Will be begun tomorrow by the house
ways and means committee behind
| closed doors. with view to it's pre-
sentation To the house immediatcly
I after The three day recess period, and
during the vacation period senate mil
itary subcommittees also Will proceed
With army inquiries while conference
on a few measures will continue.
IN addition to The war resolution,
and appropriation bills totaing bi
lions Of dollars the principal measure
enacted at this session OF congress.
are:
TO place railroads under govern
ment operation during the war.
Authorizing the president to contro
telegraph, telephone. cable and radio
fines nnth peaSe is declared.
Creating a war finance corporation
with funds TO aid the government and
private business during the war
The Oyernan bill giving the prosi
dent authority 10 reorga ni2e and 60
ordinate government departments.
EXtndng the draft law to youth
'ttalning their majority ana also L.
.Uhjects OF the allies ana certain neu
, trails.
Authorizing an additional $4,000.
I 'N'f"'' III iihNitA lbonuS.
In addition TO these measures con
grcss adopted the resolution sub.uit
tIng to the States It proposed nationa
prohibition amendment to the fcdcrui
! constitution while the house adoptc@
and the senate is expected to act soor
after the holiday on that for a similal
WoWan's suffrage amendment
Five times thus far during the Sos
sion President Wilson has addressed
The senate and house in joint session
to recommend war with Austria Hun
! cary IAN. s. and again Feb. il, re
gardng peace problems, January
10 recommend federal control OF rail
| roads and May 27 to have congress
remain in session and proceed with
new war legislation now being fram
ed by the house ways and means com
mittee.
Minor business before congress IN
, cluded the housing program, extend
ms The alien property custodian
! powers. the daylight saving law, en-
actmcnt Of the soldiers and sailor
civil sights bill and the Webb export
crS' combination measure.
! Numerous invcstigations of arm>
and navy activities, including airCrai
: production, the coal and sugar Situ1
! tons and ship building also Wer
made by congressional committees.