New-York tribune., 1918-02-18
Measure May Be Ready
for President in
Fortnight
War Legislation
Gets Right of Way
Congress to Rush Def
cheney and Daylight
Saving Acts

WASHINGTON, Feb. 17.-Urgent war
measures-the Administration railroad
legislation, the war finance corpora
tion measure and the billion dollar
urgent deficiency appropriation bill
have the right Of way in Congress this
week
lull in the controversy over war
efficiency is in prospect while Congress
devotes itself TO the Legislation de-
sired at once by the government, and
also while further strategic moves are
made with respect to bills for rcorgan-
ization of war-making machinery
Disposal during the week of the rail
road bill. to govern operation Of the
carriers while under Federal control,
is planned in the Senate. It's passage
substantially as reported by the Inter
state Commerce Committee and by an
overwhelming vote generally is pre-
dlcted. Tomorrow Chairman Smith,
Of the Interstate Commerce Commit
tee, plans to seek an agreement fixing
a date for fnal vote.
To Speed Up Agreement
In the House the billion dollar de-
fciency bill and the daylight saving
measure are to be acted upon. Then
the railroad measure will be brought
up, and within a fortnight Capitol lead
ers hope to have an agreement reached
in conference and the bills sent to the
President
Prompt Senate passage Of the Admin
istration bill creating war finance
corporation to supervise security is
sues IS expected, once the railroad leg
islation is out of the way. Hearings
of the Finance Committee virtually are
concluded. and approval Of the measure
by the Senate with some amendments
but with paratively brief debate is
believed probable by Chairman Sim
mons, of the Finance Committee,
House Ways and Means Committee to-
morrow will agree upon its programme
with respect 20 the bill.
Final action also is scheduled in
both bodies Of Congress this week on
the bill authorizing the Shipping Board
to spend S50,000000 to house ship
workers.
Daylight Saving Plan
The American people. beginning this
spring, probably will be required by
law to turn their timepieces an hour
forward in the daylight saving move
ment Favorable action on the pend
ing bill is expected in the House this
week and the Senate already has
passed q similar bill Virtually the
only dispute is regarding at what par
ticular time this spring the plan shall
be put into effect.
The next move planned in the Senate
controversy over war efficiency and re-
organization is a meeting tomorrow
of the Senate Judiciary sub-commit-
begin consideration Of the Admins sstra-
ton bill proposing to give the Presi-
dent wider authority in recognizing
Federal departments and other
agencies. Some amendments designed
to allay opposition are looked for.
The Senate Military Committee also
may vote this week on the war cabinet
measure. The committee apparently is
deadlocked in a tie at present. Re-
newal OF the Senate debate is NOT ex-
pected for several days, but Senator
Mcclellan. of Tennessee Military
Committee member, and Senator
Shields, his colleague, are preparing,
addresses, respectively, for and against
the Military Committees legislation.
Food Inquiry to Continue
iuNcSbISdliOu OIL meat. Wnedt and
other foodstuff shortages by the Sen
ate Agricultural Committee and Of the
Hog Island shipyard situation by the
Commerce Committee Will continue.
Other Congressional inquiries virtually
are concluded, but there is agitation
for starting an investigation of labor
problems.
Members of the Senate Manufactures
sub committee which Investigate ID
sugar and coal shortages are working
on their reports and speeches may be
made this week on the evidence heard.
With the urgent deficiency appro-
priation bill before the House. many
other big supply measures are 10 come
out soon. The diplomatic appropria-
ton bill. already passed by the House
soon is to be brought before the Sen
ate-the first supply measure to be
considered there-while the legislative
executive and judicial and the annual
rivers and harbors measures, as wei,
as the naval budget and other appro.
prlatlon bills, are nearing completion
in committees.