The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-08-09
CONGRESS DIVIDED
ON WILSON SPEECH
Republicans Dislike Linking
of League With Living
Cost Issue.
REFUSE TO BE DIVERTED
Democrats Praise Presidents
Stand; See Hope Of Bene-
ficial Action.
Special ps.patca TO rnr sus

Special Despatch 10 The suy.
WASHINGTON, Aug Sew addresses
Of President Wilson have provoked such
a food OF variable comment as that de-
livered In the House Of Representatives
to-day. The various subjects with which
the President dealt all gave opportunity
for legislators TO indulge in praise and
blame.
Generally speaking the Republicans
Of both Houses resented the Presidents
intrusion of the plea for early ratifica-
ton OF the peace pact and his league
covenant In an address dealing with so
critical and vital q domestic question as
the cost of living. But this had been
predicted as the forthcoming burden OF
the Presidents plea, and In this the lead
ers of neither side were disappointed.
The point on which members OF both
Houses united in praise Of the President,
with the exception of here and there q
labor member Of one party or the other,
was his denunciation of coercive tactics.
His argument that controlled markets
might well become a permanent policy
was not we'll received by the Republic
cans, and the Democratsc avoided COM
ment on this phase Of the message.
Senator Lodge (Mass.). Republican
leader. said:
I'm regard to the artificial and extor-
Tomato prices for the necessaries Of life
7 think the President made some very
good and practical suggestions, and l
am sure Congress will deal with them
at once. All that he said In regard to
the labor situation was OF q general
character, but agree with the intention
conveyed by these general statements
Says Peace Is Here.
The purpose of Introducing the ques-
ton of the treaty was obvious. We are
at peace with Germany as matter of
fact We are trading with Germany as
a matter OF fact. 1t Is highly desirable
that the treaty of peace with Germany
should be ratified as soon as possible.
and that Is the desire OF the Senate
without regard to party. The wrong
done to China In the case OF Shantung
Is all that would delay the treaty II the
League Of Nations had not been fas-
tened onto II"
Senator Brandegee (Conn.) said: The
President has taken an unfair advan-
tage of the high cost of living Issue and
Is endeavoring to use It to force through
the League of Nations. II the President
is so anxious for peace as he processes
let him agree to a reservation by the
Senate providing that the United States
does not consider itself obligated to that
section OF the peace treaty which ac-
cepts the League of Nations covenant.
The Senate. in my opinion, Is willing to
cooperate with the President In every
way to reduce the cost OF living, but IT
will, not be stampeded into ratification of
the peace treaty without drastic Ameri-
hcan reservations. sSs4l
His expressed view that price reduc-
tons and price stabilization cannot be
brought about until peace Is at hand
may be all very well, but IL he thinks
they are dependent on the ratification or
the league covenant he is greatly mis-
taken. His statements regarding coer-
cbon are of a sort which all can accept.
He is Of course speaking of this In the
abstract. for l don't believe he has any
idea of changing his own practices in
this respect
'aThe rest Of the address is made up OF
platitudes and truisms which every child
knows"
On the other hand the Administration
view was put forward by Senator Hitch
cock, who said: IT am enthusiastic
about It. There was something in II
that everybody applauded. believe II
will be effective. Personally / was par
ticularly interested in what he said about
the necessity of ratifying the peace
treaty before we can get down to settled
economic conditions. / believe 1t will
have the effect of speeding up the ratih-
cation of the treaty"
Senator Hitchcock said he expected
the treaty to be out OF the Foreign Re-
lations Committee in less than three
weeks.
All Against Coercion.
With here and there an exception the
comment OF the Republican Senators