Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1919-03-04
CONGRESS SPENDS
NIGHT TRYING To
SHIFT BLAME. FOR
BLOCK INC BILLS
Republican and Democratic
Members of Senate Devote
Fag End of the Session to
Passing the Buck" "
BOTH HOUSES PLAN TO
ADJOURN TODAY NOON
Proposed Constitution of theI
League Of Nations Causes
Controversy; Many Meas
ureS Remain UnpaSSed,
tsr MORNING JouR",l SPECIAL LEASED w'Rs,


Washington, March 3.-Renewed
controversy over the league of ma
tions and the long threatened repub-
! lican tilibuster on legislation came to-
night as the clocks were ticking off
the hours ending the life of the sixty
watched the proceedings in both SEN
ate and house which were expected to
remain in continuous session until sine
die adjournment at noon tomorrow.
In the senate the minority flibuster
was in headway on the general def
cheney bill carrying an appropriation
of $3.50, 100000 for the railroad ad-
ministration, while the house marked
time considering minor matters and
| holding for the last the conference re-
port on the 81 100000 wheat
guarantee bill. Republican senators
J said their obstructive tactics were di-
rected not at the railroad fund which
they predicted finally would be voted
but as a means of holding off other
legislation While believing the def
cheney measure would be enacted
democratic leaders said they feared
! the bill was in great jeopardy.
A movement by republican senators
for a resolution formally disappearing
the league of nations constitution as
now drafted and declaring for an early
| peace treaty added to the tension.
Republican Leader Lodge prepared
the resolution planning its introduc-
/ tion at a favorable opportunity, but
he had in reserve the signed pledges
of many republican senators who will
sit in the next senate announcing their
opposition to the proposed league con-
stitution.
Death Blow to Many Bills.
| With the railroad appropriation
and the wheat measure as the two
major bills remaining, the formal
death blow was given today to many
other important bills.
Formal efforts were made late today
to secure agreements for votes on the
army, navy and agricultural appro-
priation bills, but republicans objected
and the failure of these was regarded
as certain The $S50000,000 sundry
civil bill was another measure marked
for failure, senate appropriations
committee leaders declaring it would
not even be taken up by the commit
tee.
Bills shut out in the senate included
those providing for enforcement or
the war time prohibition law and
Secretary Lanes measure to reclaim
waste lands for settlement by dis
charged soldiers. Three more regular
appropriation bills, however, the In
dian. diplomatic and military aca-
denny measures were completed and
sent to President Wilson. Final leg
islative action also was taken on the
measure appropriating funds for hos
pital construction.
Responsibility Disputed.
During the night hours, republicans
and democrats of the senate disputed
responsibility for prospective failure
of the main bills which both conceded
would not be passed. The democrats
asserted that without republican OPP
position, the measures could be pass
ed before congress adjourns while
the republicans declared that the bills
involving such enormous sums OF
money should not be passed so hastily
and urged that an extra session be
called Immediately. They declared
President Wilson and the democratic
administration must be charged with
delay in passage of vitally necessary
measures which could be accomplish
ed at an extra session.
The controversy as to responsibility
for failure of legislation followed eff
forts of democratic leaders to fix
hours for voting on pending bills.
Chairman Chamberlain of the mill
tary committee, asked unanimous
consent to vote on the $1,215, 1000 900
army appropriation bill at II p. m.
but Senator Penrose of Pennsylvania,