The Washington herald., 1918-07-08

We still have Congress with US
and we will for, no one knows how
much longer.
The members Of the Lower House
brought the stay about-and they may
be the first ones to feel like recon-
sidering their action. For all of the
members of the lower body must run
for reelection this year. while only
third of the membership of the
Upper House will have to attend to
that little thing.
The stay of sentence for the men,
bers may mean almost anything now.
1t may mean that prohibition and
woman suffrage will be fought out to
the finish and two-and-a-half wheat
and the telegraph legislation ana
everything else. If the members get
started right they may precipitate
themselves onto their legislative pro-
gram with such vigor that none of
them will be able to leave before
election. II this surprising situation
is brought about 1t will have an in
fluence on the election, of course. and
may determine, in fact, the makeup
of the next Congress.
One OF the distinct surprises of the
day on Saturday was the alacrity with
which some of the Presidents most
insistent and tamest supporters-men
who have followed him with rubber
stamp motion. in fact-voted against
the Presidents wishes and in favor
OF the recess.
In this number was the Democratic
paddle" ]. Ham Lewis Of Illinois,
Johnny Shafroth of Colorado, Beck
ham Of Kentucky, Fletcher Of Florida,
Martin of Virginia. the majority
leader Phelan of California, and
Swanson, head of the Naval Affairs
Committee, and Senator Overman.
The news Of the vote will be read
with some interest at the White
House, without question. And We
imagine the President will note, with
some displeasure. the fact that some
of his always trusty lieutenants and
implicit followers bolted him for tho
first time on this vote. We wonder
what will come Of this.
And then to show what uncertainty
comes at a time like this the Senate
turned around and gave a privileged
status to the agricultural bill with its
much-to-be-talked-ab prohibition
amendment. The Senators evidently
figured that as long as the House had
voted to remain in session 1t would
be Just as well to take up this onerous
load and to dispose of 1t perhaps so
a clean start can be made when the
members do return. This will cause
a fight Of some viciousness and some
decided length. Verify IT appeareth
that the summer will be spent here
by our forensic heroes-and II cunning
old Sol only continues his kindness of
the past three weeks it will not be a
difficult feat, either.
Statements that the President had
shown indications Of going over to
the Roosevelt program Of universal
military training has set many of the
antimilItarists to talking with more
than their usual vigor.
They know If the President does
take a stand in favor of this legisla-
ton IT will not only be contrary to
the statements of his Secretary Of
War some months ago. but that It
viii give it Just the impetus needed
to put 1t over in both Houses OF
Congress-. The danger Is more than
q potential one, therefore. and the
antimilitarists are going about their
task with some fervor to work up
public sentiment against this move.
Tho leaders apparently are convinced
that IL they can muster the same
sentiment against the move as has
been mustered in favor of prohibf-
tion they will be able to circumvent
the Presidents efforts at the outset,
and may bring matters to such
pass that he will be too discouraged
overt the outlook to even submit the
matter to Congress.
So far as we are concerned we think
the members Of such leagues formed
to oppose universal training should
submit their arguments to the Presi-
dent himself, and let him decide the
matter. The proposition Is so thor
oughly bound up In our international
affairs that sporadic organizations
here and there should not be formed
to present 1t one way or the other.
We are convinced the President
knows Just now what he intends to
do with this question. and feels that
he knows Just how far 1t should be
put IN or kept out of our affairs at
a time when it would unquestionably
have a pronounced effect on our for
eign relations. Better leave this mat
ter to the President. This Is the
safest course, we are quite sure.
Mr.. Hays, OF the Republican Nation
al Committee, has attracted some at
tention to himself at last. by his
statement In the New York Times