Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-01-14
NGRESSOPENS
THROTTLE WIDE
4 Parties DESTROYS of
King Political Capital
Ia Next Few Weeks
SITTINCS BEGUN
o,nocrats Anxious to Finish
Lerislation and Prevent
ss Extra Session
b. a Sto5 { correspondent

W-MA BIZ a stag orrcSpO"ue"'
M Warrington. y. G.. Jan. 1i--Congress
UG13 has the throttle wide open and the
lQ010o<ratic leaders will insist that luli
1n6o1 Ahead" be the order of the day
|x11A LOW until the curtains fell on th!s
toh by constitutional Limitation on
Mine great desire of the Democrats
i&0X % to frame according to their own
Vi9Wo and pass all the legislation neces-
VARY Tor 1919 in the remaining six weeks
lot this session. II they can accomplish
that great task they will make 1t un-
I1eooosary for the President TO call an
exta Session of the next Congress and
IWlM 4cheat the Republicans out of an
loppoftnnity TO frame and pass some
|leSiglation along Republican lines.
The Democrats control this Congress
~ 4mple majorities in both the Senate
tdud House, but through the sweeping
lyit1ory last November the Republicans
VIII control both houses in the next
Conefess.
( n - sthe Democratic leaders in the SEN
atsf md House have held conferences
of14 Md their plans ID pass all the air
5l<l4I appropriation bills and other urgent
l91jelation in the remaining six weeks
ofl this session and leave nothing i'm
portnnt undone on March a.
They intend TO get all the important
legislation out OF the way, even though
" 10 necessary to begin the daily ses-
otone at 10 O'Clock in the morning in
Hea4 of meeting at noon, and will hold
night sessions If any material delay is
eDcountercd the Democratic leaders de-
ciArS
1.-THE cleaning up Of the legislative CAL
fo4ar and prevention Of an extra session
~ 1Garch or April will also cheat the
&opublicans OF the opportunity to hold
hy number of investiga tons to pry into
rR0 Errors in Democratic prosecution OF
fn4iwar and the passage of legislation
Q&*emDarrass the Democratic admins
IQ4t1on. The Democrats fear that If an
fMtre session is held the Republicans
SW1ube able TO manufacture considerable
lpoltical ammunition for the national
Sc41upaisn OF 1920
lFCongress would like to know what the
people want TO do with the railroads
H4a referendum could be arranged in
some way TO determine the public's atti-
tuoe. Congress would be much gratfied
And would almost unhesitatingly follow
fhv public's decision.
III Denate and House members alike he
44p1e daily more impressed with the
tact that President Wilson turned a
very smart trick when in his address
.tQ Congress the day before he sailed
~ Europe he told Congress to make
ono disposition of the railroads and
Aqmitted he had no suggestions TO offer
lie left Congress to deal with the situa
lNon and went Off to Europe without
fMering n suggestion for a solution of
t(he question.
|X The furthest most of the Senators and
Efongressmen will go today is to assert
Xhat the casting of the die should not
be put Off for five years, as urged BY
Director General McAdoo, and that Con-
fgress will dispose of the matter in due
time after thorough investigation. A
4 few. very few. of the members of Con-
gress have gone on record since Presi-
dent Wilson put the matter up to them
4 in favor of Government ownership or
4 private control. but the great majority
Mare reserving their decision
The disposition of the railroad uues-
~ ion is certain to go over to the next
leession and the responsibility be on the
I4sepublicans, who will be in control then.