The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-03-18
TREASURY ASKS
URGENT FUNDS
Secreary's Appeal Believed to
Offer Chance for Calling
Extra Session.
OTHER BUREAUS SUFFER
Danger That Remittances to
Soldiers Dependents May
Become Delinquent.
OTHER BUREAUS SUFFER
Special Despatch 10 THE suS.

Special Despatch TO THE Sun
WASHINGTON. March 17-There were
many indications in Washington to-
day that President Wilson might
change his mind and call an extraordi-
nary session Of the Sixty-sixth Con-
gress much earlier than generally ex-
pected in the face of his statement
upon leaving the United States that
there would be no extra session until
his return.
Secretary Of the Treasury Glass has
directed the Presidents attention to
what the Secretary regards as a Sc
rious situation In his own Department
and other branches of the Government
as a result OF the failure Of supply
bills in the last Congress and the lack
of funds to carry forward imperative
Government work at this time.
Mr.. Glass made it plain that he did
not recommend calling an early extra
session. and stated explicitly that he
suggested no date for such session
He did. he said place before the Presi-
dent the situation as it exists to-day
with respect to the war risk insurance
bureau and other Government organiza-
tons that 1t is believed was not COM
pretended by the President when he is
sued his fiat of no extra session until he
brought back the peace treaty inter-
woven with the League OF Nations cove
rant.
Reconsideration Likely.
There were suggestions in other Off
to call the session ahead OF recent an
ticipations While no official statement
was made in any quarter of direct sug-
gestion or recommendation to the Presi-
dent there were broad hints that the
matter was before the President and
that reconsideration was likely.
This raised the question OF the legal
ity or the constitutional powers OF the
President to convene Congress in extra
aession in message from across the At
lantic. It was pointed out that it had
been demonstrated that the President
lad successfully carried on all the func-
tons OF his office while out of the coun-
try.
In some quarters hope was expressed
to-day that the President would be able
to finish his work in France earlier than
had been anticipated, but there was
much more than this in the general in
dications of a comparatively early call to
the Congress.
SugEestive of "Frameup."
At the Capitol the Glass letter is
looked upon as trifie suggestive OF a
"frameup." It was recalled that Just
before the President sailed he sought to
put responsibility for all failures of
legislation on Congress though many i'm
portant bills had not exen been reported in
the Senate or hearings held on them in
committee twenty-four hours before the
end of Congress. At that time the Presi-
dent asserted it was impossible for Con-
gress to be In session while he was away
and that a higher duty" called him to
France depte the fact that the entire
regular session lasting more than three
months got along for all but a few days
OF its life without the President being
in the United States.
After making such a farewell state |
ment Republicans pointed out to-day
even the President would need some new
reason for calling n special session. and
the Glass letter is looked upon as fur
nshing ii II the President intends to
take advantage OF it. In fact, there is
little doubt that the President will do so. |
as failure to might 80 arouse public indig-
nation as to seriously menace the sue
cess Of the coming effort TO float $1,000 !
100000 in notes.
Railway BilI Chief Concern.
As result of~the President refusing !
to call special Session many measures |
of the utmost importance have been held |
up indefinitely. The railroad appropria-
ton Of s75O.000.00O is the item Of chief |
concern, although many Government op-
erations have already been seriously |
hampered as a result of the Pres ident's |
attitude. notably the United States En- |
ployment Service. The organizat on, a |
part OF the Department OF La sbor already |
has been forced to reduce its workers by /
about four fifths. because the deficiency |
bill failed to pass
The sundry civil bill, the bill appropri- |
ating 100000 900 for the development |
of arid and swamp lands for returned |
soldiers and sailors the army appropria- !
tion bill, the navy bill and many others
urgently needing legislative action have |
been held up.
which IL an organization of potent po-
l;tical effect through the fact that It Is
the Government agency paying allow |
ances. annuities and insurance claims |
to soldiers and their dependents to the !
number of many millions, threatens to |
become seriously crippled in its admin |
istrative work for lack of funds
The organization liz beng cut down |
and many clerks and stenographe let !
out because of lack OF funds TO pay |
them
Secretary Glass has appealed to the |
President for $4,000 900 Of the Presi- |
dents special contingent fund OF $780, |
900. 900 to meet war emergencies |
Unless funds are speedily found TO |
meet the payroll the work OF the bureau /
will be greatly hampered. In addition /,
to this available funds will cover the |
Government allowances to dependents of !
men in the service only until May. After |
that they will fall into arrears, leaving !
dependents without remittanees.
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