The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1919-03-05
Republicans Fighting Every
thing That is Regarded as
An Administration Measure
EFFORT TO BLOCK THE
VICTORY LOAN BILL
Purpose is Evidently to Force
the Calling Of An Extra Ses-
sion of Congress.


Washing gton, Feb zS.-Diffcrences |
between Democratic and Republican
! iecders over the legislative situation.
echoes from which have been heard
daily since President Wilson made
Known his determination not to call
a.. extra session OF the new congress
until his return from France, may be
! forced to an Issue tomorrow in the !
senate with the calling up Of the VIC
tory Loan b;li.
Democratic senators have told the
president that in their efforts TO force
an extra session the Republicans
would undertake to defeat this nlels-
ure which provides the means OF
financing the government during the
remainder Of this fiscal year. This
information did not change the pre-:
dents determination and tonight the !
: Democratic leaders decided to call up
the bill tomorrow so that they might
determine with reasonable certa:nty
just what were the prospects fer rush
ing necessary legislation through be-
fore Adjournment next Tuesday
!ican leaders course would await fur
! ther conferences early tomorrow and
for negotiations with the Democrats
and the sounding OF Republican sen
atorS sentiments. Dem ocratic leaders
said notice had been given that the
loan bill would be held continuously
! before the senate until disposed Of by
unirolzcn sessions, day and night. if
necessary, until adjournment. On ac
count Of its Importance to the nations s
finances they should give it precedence
over all appropriation or other meas
ureS.
Whether the desire for an imme
diate early session should be sacri-
feed to the questional expediency Of
defeating the loan measure was vigor-
ously debated among the Republican
senators, several of whorl We're said
to have disapproved opposition TO the
bi! Democratic leaders tonight ez.-
pressed belief that the Republicans
would not defeat the Bill by a dIibus-
cer but they admitted that several i'm
portan, appropriation bills undoubted-
y would fail
Although much time was spent in
the senate today in discussion of the
.@2rue Of nations and other subjects
considerable progress was made there.
The house passed and sent to the sen
ate the s26, 600, 900 general deficiency
bill and senate appropriation commit
tee members planned tonight to report
the bill tomorrow adding as a rider
the house bill appropriating $3.50. .000,
O00 for the railroad administration.
Other progress included:
Formal presentation Of the Victory
Loan" bill to the senate; adoption by
the house of the conference report on
the long delayed water power devel-
opment bill. conference agreement OF
hospital construction appropriations
and negotiations expected to attain
prompt enactment of the $1,000, 000,-
900 wheat guarantee measure.
At late night sessions tonight the
house worked on its. last appropriation
bill, the suHdry civil measure, while
| The senate considered the conference
report on the bill authorizing the 1920
census. the oil and coal leasing bill
and minor appropriation measures.
Many minor bills were passed today
'ny the senate, in what members ex
| ccted Was g final reading Of he
| .'end2r for unobjccted measures.
objection to consideration Of many
! measures vas regarded as iGSur;ng |
their failure for the present session
Chairman Jones Of the senate U'o-
man Suffrage committee announced |
ate to-day that eq3al suffrage aGvo- |
Gates would make u final cffor:- fo:' ac-
ton Oh a compromise constitutional I
anaer.dmen designed to meet objcc
tons OF Southern senators ;=ho Gp
posed the Susan &. Anthony draft. re-
Gently defeated. The committee vii
meet tomorrow to report out the res
oution.
Discussion of the legislative ;:t;la.
sion cropped ont in toni. senate
debate. Senator Franc. Of .daIyland.
Republican. urging his resolution for
an extra session beginning March
aud charactcriZins as vicious and un
American the practice of rushing
bills through at the sessions close.
Scn#,or France spoke for more thar
four hours and stopped only when lie
was promised adoption Of the confer
ercc report on the 1920 census biz
He charged Democrats with obstruct-
ing legislation and said that -: decree
and decision of the majority leaders
I Wa; proposed to Kill Legislation
wlic;: til" country needs with adjourn
i.1eE; "f congress. and delay OF an ex
ira session lie sid he was willing
70 stard IN il .kc dropped dead il an
citor, - secure en- session on
March >.
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