Evening star., 1918-11-27
EXPECT PRESIDENTS
MAIN TOPIC T0BE
RECONSTRUCTION
Congress Hopes He Will Al
Iude to Peace Plans in Ad-
dress Monday.
DEMOCRATS ARE LOATH
TO HAVE LEADER ABSENT
Praise Object of His Trip, But Hate
to Be Left to Mercy of
Minority.
BY N. o. MESSENGER.

BY N. o. MESSENGER.
President Wilson's address to the
Congress next Monday is being await
ed with intense interest and is the
subject of more than ordinary specu-
lation among members of the Senate
and House who remain in Washington
during the recess. It is assumed by
some of them that the major part of
his personally delivered message will
relate to the problems of reconstruc-
ton. with which they will have to
graphic while he is abroad. But they
also cherish the hope that he will say
something about the details of the
worlds peace with which he is pres
emily intent upon negotiating.
Offers Pathetic Situation.
It is pathetic to witness the per-
turbation of the majority party in
Congress over their leaders pros
pective separation from them for the
next six weeks. or possibly two
months. They have been accustomed
so long to his guiding hand, his coun-
selling voice; to regarding him as a
safe refuge n storm. and to hanging
upon his shoulders their responsible
tiles that they fear they will miss
him dreadfully.
And here he goes and leaves them
fiat, they complain, at the mercy of
Ii fN-
flushed with recent victory at the
polls and itching to get at the bat
for their innings. Things may come
Up in Congress wherein the majority
may have to act upon pa,htS;.o its own NJ 5udg ag.
pass the buck" to the White House.
II 9 sad story.
AS figured out by men Of Capitol
.Iill with the knowledge they nave
at present. the President is going
abroad to see to it that the highest
ideals Of this country. consonant with
the noblest aspirations of mankind
are incorporated in the peace treaty,
all of which meets their heartiest
commentator. More power to his
elbow, is the wish they breathe.
Some Big Questions at Home.
But there are some very urgent af-
fairs of pressing Importance relat-
ing to domestic conditions which en-
gage their attention and invoke sol1c-
itude at this time. They are involved
construction. which is setting IN
apace. Upon this topic the Congress
hopes to hear from the President at
lcngth next Monday.
Cen.inuanc of governmental price
skiing is one of the important. sub
EactS, for upon it rests questions of
labor and wages to a large extent.
II is intimated in official circles that
the government expects to rel'nquish
regulation of the steel industry by jan
rary 1. The President my give official
notice of the governments intentions
regarding this and other industries.
Congress is very anxious to know
what the President has in mind about
regulating food prices. Apprehension
prevails over the possibilities in
Nolved in the abrogation of the pres
ent system of control over food prices.
The fear is deep seated that the mo
ment the restraining hand is lifted
there will be Saturnalla of Specula-
tion and food gambling. with conse-
quent extortion. 1t is pointed out that
il has not been easy, even with. the
law ever at hand, TO enforce fair deal
ing during the war. What the situa-
tion might be with all restrictions re-
moved is not a cheerful contemplation
to Congress. since the people will GER
tainiy, it is felt, hold Congress re-
in this respect.
In Regard to Business.
The Congress is also interested in
knowing what the administration in
tends to do about decentralizing con-
troll of various elements of business,
finance and commerce. 1t is taken for
granted that operation will proceed
during the absence of the President.
He has been the head of this centrali-
Iation, more complete and absolute
than ever witnessed in the history of
the world when the extent and ag-
gregation of it are taken into account,
and he will not be here to direct the
untwisting of the coil.
AS TO what the President may feel
disposed to tell Congress about the
details of his peace plans. there is, as
stated, deep interest. The broad out
lines are so general that discussion of
application of them to practical af-
fairs is hampered and must await
presidential elucidation. Ask the
average member of the House. busy
with details of his district highly i'm
Jortant to him. what he thinks along
this line and one gets a puzzled look,
a hasty glance at the watch and re-
membrane of a sudden engagement
elsewhere from the statesman.
Hope for Best, Fear Worst.
On Capitol Hill they hope for the
Iest-and fear the worst-as to truly
"nlightening reports of all the pro-
"eedings of the peace conference.
Their pessimism is Lased largely upon
the full notice, by way of warning,
:Gtven of the Crowded condition Of
the cables" which may limit press
!eports. Some of the statesmen are
PUZZLED as to why the cables are to
he so crowded If the President is on
The spot. is not thought they will
lie crowded with messages consulting
my one on this side OF the water over
the conference itself
George Creel has issued a broadside
invitation to the press to be present
~ many representatives as may be
able to secure passports between now
and Monday, which won't be many.
Congressman are relating among
themselves remark attributed TO one
Of the administration officiaIs-"Let
AS many newspaper men come as NAV
desire. We VIII choke them of on
the cables"
he Casfelnau Not promnfa1