The Washington herald., 1918-12-03

New Policy Necessary.
The old system of handling rail-
roads, he said, brought conditions Of
restraint without development Some
new element of policy is absolutely
necessary, he declared. for the public
service, release OF credit and protec-
ton of stockholders.
Il frankly turn tC. you for counsel"
he said. at which Republicans in the
joint session hearing hind, laughed
aloud.
The address was delivered under the
most remarkable circumstances that
have characterized his career as a
spokesman before Congfess. For De
first time he faced a Senate and
House in which signs of hostility were
plainly and Enthusiastically visible. For
tho first time, Senators and Repre-
sentatives in his own party as well as
in the party OF opposition sat silent
and unresponsive when attempts were
made to start applause. And the ap-
plause, when it did come, was not the
generous and spontaneous outburst Of
old,
Feels Rebuff KeenIy.
The President was keenly conscious
Of the change. Those who watched
his face were quick TO see the shadow
that fell across his features. the closer
drawing Of the lips. the psling Of the
checks. His voice, husky at the be-
ginning of his address, was even more
husky as the last few words were
spoken.
Shortly before the entrance Of the
President. Mrs. Wilson appeared at
the door of the Presidents box, &C
TfaI hxr hnr M Pol
ling. Shortly afterward Mrs. William
McAdoo Joined her. A fourth seat left
for her party remained vacant
Every available inch Of the gallery
was packed Offers OF five, ten and
twenty dollars for admission were
common. and even 500 was offered for
ticket, it is alleged.
Each Senator and Representative
had one ticket to dispose of. One Rep
resentative alone said that he had TO
refuse 800 people, to every one OF
which he wanted TO give a ticket
Sneaks in, Thrown Out.
One doorkeeper, who had just
elected a person who had slipped in
and was being made the subject OF
many disparaging remarks, said to
a young girl standing near, Il am
every bit as disappointed as these
people are"
The President does not intend to
be away long. He reassUred Con-
gress that the avenues OF communi-
cation will be kept entirely open
so that the people may be kept fully
advised Of all that is done at the
conference and so that he, while
away. may be in constant touch
with government affairs here,
This is the substance OF what the
President said in that portion of his
speech relating to the trip abroad.
The President laid before Con-
gress his legislative program, in
cluding the following subjects:
Substance of Plans.
l. Reconstruction regarding which
he urged measures to insure en-
ployment for the returning soldiers.
the return as speedily as possible
Of business and industry TO their
normal channels. and a policy Of
developing arid and swamp land
so that millions of acres now use
less may be thrown open to settle
ment.
2. Financial assistance TO Belgium
and Northern France to aid in their
physical rehabilitation.
8. Speedy enactment Of the reve-
nue. bill so that business may know
what burdens il will have to carry
in the coming two years.
4. Enactment OF the naval pro-
gram for the building OF Dread
noughts and cruisers during the
coming three years
5. Railroad legislation TO provide
against the return of the railroads
to their owners under the old con-
ditions.
G. Extension of the suffrage to
women, in recognition OF their serv-
ice to the country during the war.
Z. Ratification of the Colombian
treaty.
For the most part the Senators
and Representatives received the
Presidents statement of his pro-
gram of legislation in absolute sill
ence. There was faint applause
when he stated that the railroads
should not go back to their owners
under the old system, but only
faint.
=. Almost n Snub.
II was evident when the President
entered the hall to make his address
that among the Republicans there
was manifest = disposition 70 treat
him as shabbily as they possibly could
without transgressing the bounds OF
actual courtesy. Not a single Re
uublican member of either house ap-
plauded when the President was es-
corted to the rostrum- The applause
Fwas started on the Democratic side.
ana the President turned in that di-
rection and smiled his acknowledge
mentsL Then as he slowly allowed
his gaze to turn to the Republican
side he saw the entire membership
of that party standing silently and
quietly at attention.
The President rose above the sting
of the intended rebuke- The smile
did not leave bis face as he Eaxed