The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1918-10-13
Plan Would
Put After the War
Power in Hands of
Congre SIS, Over
mans Idea to Give
1t to President
BY RICHARD BARRY.

- construction programme it must
settle the question of who is to handle it
Congress or the President. Recently /
outlined in THE Sun the programme Of
Senator Weeks, who had just introduced .
resolution calling for the appointment by
Congress of committee on reconstruct
ton. A few days later Senator Overman
introduced a resolution that covered prac-
Gcally the same ground in all but one
vital essential. The Overman bill asked
for a commission on reconstruction TO be
appointed by the President.
There to-day lies Americas greatest
problem, next to the imperative task of
winning the war. The question is: Will
Congress continue after the war on the
line it has willingly followed for seven-
teen months, delegating much Of its legis
lative function to the Chief Executive, or
will it rise now and reassert itself, re-
claiming its constitutional powers, even it
this must be done in the midst of war
and at the risk of confusing in many minds
the paramount issue of the winning of the
war.
Decision May Be Much Delayed.
On one side are the Republicans, who
are backing the Weeks resolution; on the
other side are the Democrats, who are
backing the Overman bill. Congress and
its future fortunes are involved, directly
and Indirectly, and it appears likely that
q decision in the contest will be postponed
until after election. The record Of the
countrywide vote then will have its effect
on the solution of this problem.
Some Senators have said to me that in
their opinion there would not be enough
Democrats unified behind the Overman
bill to insure its passage at the present
time. Others contend that the President
is DESTROYS that the measure granting him
the power of appointment over the recon-
struction commission shall be passed with
out delay. So far Mr. Wilson's attitude
in this matter has not been clearly re-
vealed, although several of the Presidents
principal ieutenants in Congress have ex-
pressed themselves as being determined to
defeat the Weeks resolution.
In any event it may be taken for
granted that if decision on this vital
question of who shall have the initial con-
troll of the problem of reconstruction Is
postponed until after election it will be
BECAUSE the Democrats are unable to mar
shall sufficient strength to give at once
these after war powers to the Chief Ex-
ecutive. And if the election should go
against the Democrats it is all but certain
that the Weeks resolution, or one similar
to it. will be given preference finally over
such legislation as is proposed by Senator
Overmun.
Matter Of Profound Importance.
The whole matter is one both of delieacy
and of profound importance. 1t is deli
cate because in solving it Congress must
cross uncharted ground 1t is of profound
importance first because Of its own inher-
ent significance, and second because it
may mark the apogee of the Presidential
war powers. Over a year ago l reported
an interview with Senator Harding Of
Ohio which was reprinted in hundreds Of
newspapers becsl.e It was the first clar-
ion voice fru.e the republican ranks call
ing for an 1t>nse Capitalization of war
time authority
"The Unitco States needs a DICTATOR"
said Senator Harding at that time, and
enough of his Aepublican confreres were
with him both il theory and practice, and
have been with aim ever since in this con-
tention, to render instantly effective the
vast majority If unusual powers asked
and required by the President. Until this