The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-10-09
D. MAJORITY
IN HOUSE IS TIRED

WASHINGTON. Oct. 9.-The Re-
publican majority of the house of rep
resentatives is getting tired again,
Having been in session for nearly six
weeks longer than they intended be-
Wilson, they have concluded that it Is
time to take another" adjournment,
say, through October, and perhaps a lit
tie Of November, while the senate Is
discussing the league of nations.
1t is undeniable that the house has
largely failed to do what the presi-
dent asked in early August when a five
weeks adjournment had been decided
upon. True, the bill granting powers
and funds to Acknowledgement Palmer
for prosecution of profiteers was
passed by both houses and has gone to
conference, but the passage OF i'm
portant and remedial legislation stops
just about there, A few so-called 'sin-
gle shot tariff bills have been passed
affecting a few comparatively minor in
dustries, but none could affect the high
cost Of living.
Before the special session of congress,
which began the middle of May. the Re-
publican leaders, announced In a series
OF statements-one or more statements
per leader-that they knew much more
about what legislation was needed than
did President Wilson. Undaunted, the
president sent the customary message
to congress at the opening of the special
session and recommended a very
specific program. The result has been
that virtually nothing of a reconstruc-
tive nature has been done. The presi-
dent not only had to take all the pre-
liminary steps regarding a settlement
Of the bi~gNproblems of capital and labor,
but he had to carry through what
others now assert they thought of but
LAT lta- tha wrnkoh1a So raaoHsn~ 49,
ference of the two important business
factors In washington mex month.
Republican Floor Leader Frank W.
Mondell has announced that the ma
jority hopes to pass a railroad bill Of
some sort before the regular session in
December. At the present time there Is
little likelihood OF this being done, there
being several groups in ZACH house OF
congress, each Of which possesses APP
parently definitely fixed ideas as to the
future of the railroads, and which in
tends fighting for incorporation in the
final measure.
The merchant marine is in much the
same situation, although the possibilities
of anything of a definite nature being
done with 1t before the regular session
seem improbable.
The Graham select committee to in
vestigate var expenditures is singing
very low these days, and but few of the
sub-"smelling' committees are at work,
but these are running up fair-sized ex-
pense accounts, presumably. since one
trio is in France and has been for near
ly two months, and another is on the
Pacific coast assailing all witnesses
who testify that any part of the spruce
industry vas conducted honestly In
connection with the wartime aviation
program.
The select committee to investigate
the shipping board has just returned, In
its private car, from it's ~sojourn on the
Pacific coast where ship yards were in
spected, but no report has been made.
The Republicans expect to caucus
shortly when the principal topic will be
the proposed October recess. At the
same time the question of deposing
Floor Leader Mondell may come up, but
it Is not expected to succeed.