The Birmingham age-herald., 1918-12-03
Failure to Take Stand on Railroad Question Is Sur prising to Alabama
 Senators
REPUBLICANS ARE
 DOOMED TO LOSE
 IN PROPOSED FIGHT
Senate Will Not Send Dele gates to Paris Nor Will Marshall Assume
 Presidency
nx HIGH ". ROBERTS

II Washington, December 1.--(Spe- ciaL)--The dny, which began SO auspicfously for the development of muititudinous sensations of mr. tionaI scope. ended in distinct anti-cIimax.
 The threat ot republicans to
 heckte the Prssident failed to ma- terialize and the President. in his address, said nothing of a definite
 nature of which hIs critics could take advantage.
 With the address of the President the republicans are jubilant because he failed to discuss in any detail his plans respecting the formulation of the peace treaty, and avoided by expressing generalities the main feature of the sessions legislative programme, the disposition of the momentous railroad question. Democrats, for various reasons, were disappointed. It was their hope that the President would say something to make it clear and acceptable why he had ignored Congress in the arrange ment of his peace commission and would
 
 criticism which they promise to ex- press
 It was also their hope that he would discuss the proposed terms of peace especially the misunderstood league of nations and Freedom of the seas.'
 ON RAILROAD QUESTION
 They were. also hopeful that he would announce definite policy respecting the adjustment Of the railroad ques- tion.
 In tho disappointment, Senators Ba1khead and Underwood share, they praised the rhetoric or the address and especially the Presidents tribute to the American soldiers
 In certain other resStcts, however, they believe the PresfdAnt failed to measure up to standard.
 "As whole.' said Senator Bank head, the address was disappointing to Congress. We thought the President would have something to say in defi- nite way in outlining general legis- lative policy.
 "I believe, however. that 1t might be fairly deduced from his paper that he Is not welded to government ownership of railroads, I am very much pleased over what seems to be his attitude "s
 IS THE BIG PROBLEM
 Senator Underwood, in making com ment of practically similar nature declared that the one big legislative question confronting Congress was that involving control of railroads
 "On this question" said the senator, 'the President failed to take a defi- mte stand. To that extent, he left his party in the air"
 Another feature indicating another anti-cliraax was development which promises that republican, criticism ito De daily produced with Increasing bit .erness will, in it's effect on the peace conference amount to nothing.
 The Cummins resolution, providing 'or the appointment of senatorial committee to visit Europe will, in the | opinion of practically every member of 1 Congress-, die in committee. The Pres dent has Ignored his critics and 1t has .ver been evident that they could not | yain force without executive notice, GOT LITTLE SUPPORT
 It Is expected by democrats that ] esolution to be presented by Senator | Sherman stating 1t as the opinion of | he Senate that the President, during | is absence cannot discharge his duties s President, and must be temporarily
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