Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-07-07
HOUSE BALKS PLAN
FOR EARLY RECESS
Members Of Lower Branch Sus-
tain Demands of President
on Telegraph Bill.
SENATE VOTED FOR REST
Progressive Republicans Lead
Battle to Keep Congress
on the Job.

WASHINGTON, July 6.-President
Wilson won out tonight in his fight
to have Congress remain in session
until IT passes tho bill authorizing him
20 take over the nations telegraph and
telephone systems.
In face of tho fact that tho Senate.
earlier In tho evening. had by close
vote rejected mis- appeal and had de-
cided to recess until August IL. the
House refused TO recess and. by its
attitude, sustained the wishes Of the
chief executive.
The Senate vote was 81 10 25 in
favor of n recess. Within an hour
Claude Kitchin. Democratic leader in
the House. withdrew his resolution for
recess. and tho House adjourned until
Monday. when it will resume it's regu-
lar order of business.
Tho ituation in Congress to-day was
remarkable. Administration Democrats
in the Senate were among those most
insistent for recess. regardless OF the
Presidents attitude. while a group OF
progressive Republican Senators fought
against Congress stopping work.
After the Senate's action was re-
ported to the House at $3.50 z. NJ, Mr..
kitchn made his statement He said
that for two or three weeks a major
ity OF the members had evidenced a
desire to adjourn for thirty days. while
the Ways and Means Committee worked
on the revenue bill, which could not
be completed before August 12 He
explained that he and the leaders of
the Senate had conferred with the
president some time ago and obtained
his approval of the plan to recess.
Since then" he said. "the question
OF government control OF the telegraph
and telephone arose, and 1t was con-
sidered absolutely necessary to have
that resolution passed. The House
passed 1t promptly. and the question
then was whether the Senate could pass
1t before the day set for the recess.
To-day we again called on the Pres
ioent, who told us this question was
OF very vital Importance. The SEN
ators present told the President IT
probably would take three or four
weeks to get the resolution from the
committee and several weeks more to
get 1t passed in the Senate. The Pres
ident then was asked II, under the cir
cumstances. he would be willing TO
nave Congress recess. The President
SAID that he could not agree TO this
but IT the situation in the Senate was
as tney represented, they could use
their own judgment as to the course
to pursue.
The Senate Committee on Interstate
Commerce then met and took the nosi-
ton that it would facilitate the work
or the committee IL Congress were NOT
In session. Accordingly. the Senate
passed the resolution to take a recess
In spite of this. the situation nre-
sents itself in such a way that ma.
Jority OF the House appears to be
opposed to talking an adjournment. T
therefore, withdraw the resolution"
Inc action tonight means that Con-
eress VIII remain in session while the
interstate Commerce Committee of the
senate holds hearings upon the bill.
Many interests. including the teler-
raphers. desired to be heard 1t Is
said the Senate will try to take week
end" vacations.
The congressional muddle came at
the end of nine-hour day. Last
night. the President sent a letter to
Senator Martin saying he desired the
legislation passed if practicable. SEN
Continued on Second Pagc0