South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1918-11-04
BIC PROBLEMS
Of PEACE NOW
ARISE IN j. 6.
Next Congress Will Probably
Face Task of ReStOra-
tion and Reconstruct
ton of Government.
international News Service:

WASHINGTON. Nov. 4.-Con-
vinced that the war is won and that
hghting will continue for only a
short time at the most, representa-
tives OF the American people in con-
gress today began TO turn their
thoughts TO the problems of peace
and reconstruction.
Congress had been occupied for
20 months with war measures to the
exclusion of all other legislation.
No one in congress expected the war
to come to and end before mid-sum-
mer next year.
That the country is no better pre-
pared for peace than IL was for war.
both democrats and republicans
frankly admit. Leaders in congress
explain they have given the prob
lens of peace hardly a thought.
Peace Legislation to Fore.
The short session OF congress be-
ginning in December will be given
over almost entirely to peace and
reconstruction legislation, Sen. Mar
tin, majority leader of the upper
house. said today.
The attention Of congress will be
entirely taken up by the revenue bill
during the remainder OF this ses-
sion" he added The manner in
which problems OF peace will be
handled depends in a large measure
on the outcome Of tomorrOw's cleo
tions II may be said, however.
that neither party has any definite
ideas on this important subject other
than those embodied in the over
man and Weeks reconstruction res
olutions. These resolutions provide
merely for agencies for the study of
reconstruction problems. The ad-
ministration measure would give
this task TO a commission created by
the president, while the Weeks res
olution would turn 1t over to a con-
gressional commission.
Problems Are Important.
Chairman Simmons. chairman OF
| the finance committee, who will play
a most important part in the pass
/ age OF reconstruction legislation. il
| the democrats retain control in the
, senate, said today that he recognized
| the problems confronting the coun-
] try as Of the utmost Importance
more important. perhaps, than the
/ problems connected with the mobili-
zation Of the country's resources for
war.
However" he added. II have not
/ had time 10 give the matter a single
/ thought. II should be thoroughly
/ studied by every senator before an
/ expression OF opinion is attempted" T"
The senate foreign affairs COM
/ mittee will begin the study OF all
peace notes exchanged during the
I present war and OF Pres't Wilson's
| speeches. in preparation for its i'm
, portant tasks connected with the
ratification OF the peace treaty, as
soon as the senate reconvenes after
| election.
Period of Retrcnchment.
! Sen. Martin. who will have charge
| of all reconstruction measures in the
! senate IL the administration re-
mains IN control. believes the lavish
/ expenditure Of money by the govern
/ ment must come 10 an end as soon
as the war is over.
The reconstruction period must
( be one Of retrenchment" he said
today. otherwise our children and
our children's children will be slaves
| condemned TO a life struggle 20
wipe out the national debt. Many
OF the expensive special agencies
that have been created during the
war must come 10 an end as soon as
the war is over. II Will be necessary
20 continue some OF them, but the
| most must go"
Must Continue Some Bureaus.
In some OF it's legislation creating
special bureaus and departments the
congress provided for a time limit
| beyond which they should not op-
crate. A great many were created
70 continue IN operation only during
the period or the war. Special leg
islation will be needed az the next
4 CONTINUED on PAGE FOUR.)