The sun., 1918-12-03

Instead of stampeding the Congress
the GOODNESS OF two-thirds OF the House
and practically all of the Senate was
brought into sharper relief by the eN-
travagant behavior Of the comparative
handful of applauders who sought to
catch up their colleagues and carry
them along with .hem.
Not Hand From Republicans.
On the Republican side not a single
hand was lifted, not one man stood up.
The Senator'S gazed unbfinkngly into
the Presidents face and made no move
10 indicate anything but dlsapproval
Of the course he has selected without
consultation with one of them.
Republicans remembering another
appeal a little over a month ago bit
terly resented the President coming to
them for aid again. As soon as the
President had left the ahall Of the
House they pointed out excltedly to
each other that had the people OF the
nation followed the President in the
appeal for the election of Democrats
only in the next Congress none OF
them would be there to give or refuse
aid or support. They recalled that on
occasions when the Democrats failed
the President on vital war measures
Republican Senators and Representa-
tives had saved the Administration.
To-day was the first opportunity
which the Republicans had to show
whether they were willing. to forgive
and forget what they cannot avoid
feeling was gross ingratitude when the
President asked the voteri OF the
country to defeat them in the cleo
lions. They showed plainly in their
reception Of the Presidents appeal for
aid that they have not forgiven ana
are not likely to forget.
This almost uniform coluness on the
part of the Senate grew more ana
more apparent throughout the speech,
becoming most pronounced when it be-
came evident that the president was
to content himself with nothing more
than an appeal for support in his tasks
abroad and that he was not going to
let down the barrier and take Congress
into his confidence.
Cold Formslity Observed.
The Congress, despite its bitter and
cold attitude toward the President, did
not forget the Difference due the office
held by Woodrow Wilson. When he
entered the House the House and Sem
ate arose en- masse until the President
mounted the rostrum. Again when he
had concluded his address and was on
the point OF leaving the Congress arose
and remained standing until the Presi-
dent left.
From the moment OF the Presidents
arrival II was evident that the break
at last had come between the Presi-
dent and Congress. The President felt
it Immediately. Beginning at his eX-
trefne right he slowly scanned first
the faces of the men OF his own party
and then those Of his political oppo-
nents. Meanwhile the Democratic side
applauded perfunctorily. Not a hand
moved on the Republican side Of the
centre aisle.
Speaker Clark banged down his gavel
and said: Gentlemen of the Sixty
fifth Congress, present the President
Of the United States"
The President without further de-
lay plunged into his prepared speech
For fifteen minutes the President
Gwelt on the achievements the United
the war. Beginning with the training
and shipment abroad OF an American
army he traced the progress of the
war through the great supporting Dr.
ganization of the industries of the
country which made 1t possible TO put
this great army in France. He paid
high tribute to the mettle and quality
OF the men and officers sent over and
the sailors who kept the seas and the
national spirit behind both
Plea for Woman Suffrage.
The Presidents tribute to the women
OF the country followed Immediately.
With ii he coupled another plea that
they be made the equals OF men so far
rs political rights are concerned.
These great days of completed
achievement would be sadly marred
were we to omit that act OF justice"
he said.
Throughout this part OF the Presi-
dents speech applause was liberal
from both sides. The President de-
parted from this theme to urge the
Senate to ratify the Colombian treaty
and then turned TO purely domestic
questions, mainly reconstruction and
the question of railroad ownership He
admitted frankly to Congress that in
all he had heard on reconstruction he
had seen no general scheme for work
ing 1t out He took the attitude also
that American business did not want
10 be coached or led"
The President secuted the necessity
of any reconstruction programme with
this statement: 1.-THE process of re-
turning business to peace footing
promises to outrun any inquiry that
may be instituted and any aid that
may be offered. II will not be easy
to direct 1t any better than It will d.
rect itself"
Lands for Soldiers.
The President warned Congress that
in his opinion action must be taken to
provide for returning soldiers and
urged the friendly consideration of the
plan evolved by the Secretary of the
Interior for the reclamation OF arid
and swamp lands.
The President made an earnest plea
10 Congress for continuation OF the
naval building programme regardless
of the contemplated action OF the peace
conference in limiting ornaments.
1T would clearly be unwise for us
10 attempt TO adjust our programme to
n future world policy as yet undeter-
mined" he said He then turned TO the
question of the railways and after out