The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-02-04
CONGRESS LEADERS PLAN ID SPEED UP WAR LEGISLATION Little Has Yet Been Done on Long and Growing
 Programme
ADMINISTRATION WILL DEFEAT NEW COUNCIL

\ Cross-ExaminatiOn by Sen
 ate Committee of Baker.
 Rail Bill to Be Hurried
 Washington, February 3.-Little of the long and growing programme or war Legislation has been enacted since Congress convened two months ago today, and capitol leaders plan at temps to speed mp this week. Import- ant railroad and financial measures are to be brought before both Senate md House during the week with the prospect that they will occupy tNs. center of interest for many days to come.
 Tuesday Secretary Baker will be re- called before the Senate military com mittee for cross-examination regarding his recent statement on army achieve ments. Later in the week he will ap-' pear before the House committee Af- terward, administration leaders hope to minimize agitation for the bills and they are confident of preventing their consideration in either house.
 RAILROAD BILL
 The railroad bill as revised by the Senate interstate commerce commits sion, will be reported to the Senate to- morrow and later in the week the House committee will present it's draft. Committee compromises on limiting federal operation of the transportation systems after the war to IS months in the Senate draft and to two years in that of the House committee. do not promise to insure disposal of the bill as promptly as Director General Mo Adoo desires. Capitol leaders says. however, it will be passed during the present month.
 WAR FINANCE BILL
 Another important administration measure, which will be introduced si- simultaneously tomorrow in the Senate and House, is the war finance corpor- ation bill, providing s5o0,000,0 ,000 in cap ital and also authority to issue $4000,- 100000 in one to five year short-term notes for financing private industries.
 With minor amendments the House soldiers and sailors civil rights bill is to be reported to the Senate tomorrow and it probably will be considered after the railroad legislation. As renamed by the Senate Judiciary committee, the civil relief" bill proposes suspension of mortgage foreclosure and other debt processes against men absent in mili- tary service. It was passed by the House without objection last Septem- Der, but questions of constitutionality have held it up so far in the Senate. DRAFT AMENDMENTS
 War deartment bills to extend the draft law, providing for registration of youth reaching 21 years, basing draft quota on the number of men in. Class instead of state populations and em- towering the President to draft skilled industrial or agricultural ex- perts for military service, are to be reported in few days to the Senate by the military committee and pressed for prompt disposal.
 The Chamberlain alien draft resolu- ton will be taken up by the House again Wednesday.
 INQUIRIES NEAR END
 All congressional investigations of war operations are nearing an end. The army inquiry may be finished this week by the Senate military committee. The House naval committees inquiry into navy affairs virtually is closed and only few more witnesses are to be heard in the Senate commerce commits sion's investigation of shipbuilding. Tomorrow the latter committee will hear more testimony about the Hog Island shipyard at Philadelphia. The Senate manufacturers subcommittee, which investigated sugar and coal charges, plans this week to begin draft ing report on the coal situation.
 The Senate foreign relations commit tee next Wednesday plans to consider various war aims or peace resolutions in considering composite draft for emphasizing Americas aims.
 APPROPRIATION MEASURES
 Appropriation bills are being rapidly disposed of by the House, which passed the agricultural measure last week and plans to pass the diplomatic supply