Evening star., 1919-03-09
REPLIES TO CHARGE
MADE BY PRESIDENT
Senator Jones Denies Repub-
licans Caused Failure of
important Legislation.
CITES RECORD AS PROOF

Senator Jones OF Washington, re-
publican, is not content to let go un-
challenged the Presidents charge
that republicans are to blame for the
failure of important Legislation at the
st,Session of Congress. In an inter-
view last night he gave in detail his
reasons for blaming the democrats for
the failure of much legislation, and
urged that an immediate session of
the new Congress be called to meet
the situation,
Senator Jones has written to many
of his constituents asking them what
they think about the proposed league
of nations.
Declaration ''Not Enough
The Presidents simple declaration
that the republicans are to blame Tor
the failure of much important lesisia-
tion is not enough" said Senator
Jones, land the record proves conclu-
sively the contrary. If anybody in
Congress is to blame, it is his own
party. The democrats controlled the
House and the Senate and all the i'm
portant committees during the last
Congress. They knew that the life
of the Congress would end March A..
What does the record show? The
water power bill failed. Why? 1t was
sent to conference committee Sep
tember 30 1918, and no report was
submitted until a few days before
Congress was to adjourn! and the re-
port was not brought up for consid-
Grafton in the Senate at all
"The coal and oil leasing bill failed.
Why? 1t went to conference May 2S.
1918. and was not reported back for
over eight months and because of op-
position to it and crush of business it
failed.
Other Important Bills Cited.
The Navy bill didn't pass. 1t was
never brought up and was not even
reported to the Senate until February
81. The Army bill did not pass 1t
ate and was not reported from the
committee until February Is. The
agricultural bill didn't pass. 1t
wasn't reported from the Senate COM
mittee until February % and was
never called up. The District Of Co
was sent to conference February "a
and the conferees failed to agree, and
it was never reported to either house
The sundry civil bill didn't pass. 1t
wasn't even considered by the Senate
committee and no report whatever
was made to the Senate. The Indian
appropriation bill failed. 1t passed
the Senate with only an hours con-
sideration and without even being
read and the conference report was
brought in too late for consideration.
Why Deficiency Measure Failed.
THE urgent deficiency bill did not
come to the Senate till February %.
1t was reported March 1 with over
eQl0 mn odd dnd tn hy ha 10
committee. 1t was called up ahead of
the other appropriation bills. 1t was
physically impossible to pass them and
give them any consideration what
ever. There may have been some un-
necessary debating on the urgent de-
iciency bill. but the items contained
in it could not have had the discussion
they ought to have in the two days
let for its consideration.
"A bond bill to tax the people ST.
000, 100000 passed the House February
IS. 1t was reported to the Senate
February 8. The republicans patri-
otically waived their serious objec-
tions to it and it was passed without
the discussion that it's Importance de-
served.
Says Congress Should Meet.
why shouldn't Congress be in ses-
sion now? All these appropriation bills
SQOutQ De passed. DG1OTe july l. SOH-
gress will have to be organized New
committees will consider them, and two
or three months time should be taken
in the interest of economy and the pre-
vention of waste to scrutinize the vari-
Gus items to be carried by these meas
Ure:.
THE water power and oil leasing bills
could be put in shape and passed and
ready for the Presidents signature
when he returns home. An immigra-
ton law, shutting out aliens for a def
mite period of time, and an American
ization bill to aid in the education of
lliterate foreigners could be gotten
ready for his signature. Legislation
neceSsary for readjustment and for pro-
Ho0tipg the soldiers welfare could be
eansfdered and be made ready for his
signature. The legislation necessary
f6f fthe railroads and for the stabiliza-
ttop of industrial conditions could be
considered. put in shape and made
fsady
Republicans Ready and Willing.
Republicans are willing and anx-
ious to undertake these tasks. They
know that the country demands their
solution. Can any one give any good
reason why the President should de-
Jay calling them together to under
take this work?
With reference to the league of
nations compact, there are very grave
objections to the plan submitted.