The Daily Missoulian. [volume] (Missoula, Mont.) 1904-1961, 1918-02-04
PLAN ON RUSHING
/ WAR LEGISLATION
SlOwness of Congress Causes
Initiation Of Proposal
for More Speed.
IMPORTANT BILLS UP
All Railroad and Financial
Measures Will Be Placed
Before Law Makers.
IMPORTANT BILLS UP

washington FEB. o.-Little OF the
long and growing program of war leg
islaton has been enacted since con-
gress convened two months ago to-
day and capitol leaders plan attempts
to speed up this week. Important rail-
road and financial measures are to be
brought before both senate and house
during the week with the prospect
that they will occupy the center of in
terest for many days to come.
Campaign OF Education.
Contention over the senate military
committee bills for a war cabinet and
/, and munitions director to which Pres
ident Wilson is vigorously opposed, will
be renewed in the senate tomorrow
when advocates Of the legislation will
begin what they call a campaign Of
education. Senator Hitchcock, Demo-
crat, will speak in support of the bills
and will be followed on Tuesday by
Senator Wadsworth, a Republican
member Of the military committee. Re-
plies are planned by administration
leaders. Tuesday Secretary Baker will
be recalled before the senate commit
| tee for cross examination regarding
his recent statement OF army achieve
| ments Later In the week he will ap-
| pear before the house committee. AZ
terward administration leaders hope to
| minimize agitation for the bills and
they are confident of preventing their
consideration in either house.
Rail Bill Up.
| The railroad bill as revised by the
senate interstate commerce commit
+, tee, will be reported to the senate to-
morrow and later in the week, the
house committee will present its draft.
The committee bill comprises in lin
iting federal operation of the transpor-
tation systems after the war to 10
months in the senate draft and to two
years in that of the house committee
to insure disposal of the bill as
promptly as Director General McAdoo
desires. Capitol leaders say, however,
it will be passed during the present
month.
| Another important administration
measure which will be introduced
simultaneously tomorrow in the senate
and the house. is the war finance cor
poration bill, providing $500,0O0,000 In
capital and also authority to issue
S4, 900, 000, 900 in one to five year short
term notes for financing private in
dustries.
Relief Bill Comes Up.
With minor amendments the house
soldiers and sailors civil rights bill Is
to be reported to the senate tomorrow
and 1t probably will be considered af-
} ter the railroad legislation. AS re-
named by the senate judiciary com
mittee, the civil relief bill proposes
suspension of mortgage foreclosure
I and other debt processes against men
absent In military service. 1t was
PASSED by the house without objection
last September. but questions OF con-
stitutionality have held it up so far In
the senate.
II War department bills to extend the
draft, providing for registration oil
youths reaching 81 years, basing draft
! quotas on the number of men in class
: /, instead of on state populations, ant
! empowering the president ITO draf
! skilled industrial or agricultural ex.
perts for military service arc to b'
reported in u few days to the senate
by the military committee and pressed
! for prompt disposal.
: Investigations Near End.
: The Chamberlain alien draft resolu
ton will be taken up by the house
| again Wednesday.
IL All congressional Investigations o
war operations arc nearing an end
The army inquiry may be finished thi
week by the senate military commit
tee. The house naval committees In
curry into navy affairs virtually i
closed and only n few more witnessc
are to be heard In the senate com
merce committees investigation o
J shpbuiiding.
: On Tuesday the house public land
4 committee will begin hearings on pub
lie oil and coal land leasing bills, Will
Tia sub committee works on waite
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