The Washington times., 1918-03-06
PRESIDENT $
WAR BILLS
STRIKE SNAG
IN SENATE

The Senate today stood pat in its
opposition to three Administration
war measures.
As a result, the Administration
will have to accept important
amendments in the war finance cor
poration and 0verman bills to get
these measures passed.
Three developments marked the
contest between the Executive De-
partment and the Senate.
Would Limit Power.
]. Opponents OF the Overmsn en-
powering bill forced the judiciary
committee to agree to making the
Presidents powers of reOrganizing
. war agencies specific instead OF
sweeping and general.
. 2. The Appropriations Committee
again refused to grant authority for
purchase Of German-owned piers at
Hoboken. and called A. Mitchell
: Palmer, alien property custodian, to
explain the reason why 1t is neces-
ssry to buy the piers.
3 A large and powerful group OF
senators, Including members OF the
Finance Committee, denounced the
licensing provision of the war finance
corporation bill with its penitentiary
penalty for violations, as provision
merely gives power to = voluntary
committee created by the Treasury,
which now decided tn efate of pro-
posed bond Issues.
object To Penalty.
The greatest opposition was
aroused by the penal clause which
would seg to jail for one year and
fine $1,000 any person who fioated
securities in violation of regulations
limiting new issues.
Senators Reed, Lodge, and even
Simmons admitted that it was going
pretty far 10 give a Government board
power to send men to prison not for
Violating laws but mere regulations.
Indications are that the penalty
clause and perhaps the entire licens-
ing provision will be stricken from
the bill.
The Judiciary Committee delayed
action on the Overman bill. after its
opponents had suggested referring 1t
hack to a subcommittee for further
hearing. They did not press this
plan today but offered two substitutes
for the Administration bill
Substitutes offered.
One Of these, by Senator Smith
Georgia. would limit the Presidents
power to reorganize the War and
Navy Departments. The other. BY
Senator Sterling would conine it tc
executive departments"
Sterling explained that this was tc
prevent the measure including all bu
reaus and agencies not strictly execu.
Tive.
The bill comes up again tomorrow
The Appropriations Committee askef
Palmer 10 present his explanation OF
the request for authority to buy tht
piers, but Palmer said he did not have
his data compiled. He is 10 appear TO.
morrow.
simmons Takes Up Fight.
Senator Simmons today sought t.
pull the war finance bill out of tn,
fire by explaining that although
many members OF the Finance Com
rnIttee regarded it as unwise to nam'
= capital issues committee to licens,
issues OF new securities. the Admin
istration felt some Limitation mus
he placed about these issues. Sim
mons said England has found 1t neces
sary TO limit new issues. He and Sen
stor Lodge pointed out that tn,
licensing provision merely give
power to a voluntary committee ere
sted by the Treasury, which now de
c:ded the fate of proposed bond is
sues.
The greatest opposition was aroused
by the penal clause which would sent
10 Jail for one year and fine $1,000 an!
person who fioated securities in Tio
Iation of regulations listing new is
Sucs.
Senators Reed, Lodge, and evel
simmons admitted that Il was goinI
pretty far to give a government boar,
power to send men to prison, not 70
violating laws, but mere regulations
Indications are that the penalt
clause and perhaps the entire licen
sinE provision will be stricken from
the bill.