The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1919-03-03
Sixty-Fifth Congress in Final
Cleanup of Work.
War Body Has Broken All
Expenditure Records.
BIG BILLS TO Be ENACTED
Deficiency Appropriations Still
Cling to Calendar.
Supporters Admit That Suf-
rage Is Blocked.

Washington, March 3.-This is the
last legislative day of the sixty-fifth
congress.
Both houses will remain in prac-
tically continuous session from today
until noon tomorrow.
The final hours promised to climax
fittingly the work of the war con-
gress'' which has broken all records
for money spent, unusual laws passed
and work left undone.
Efforts were centered today on the
general deficiency bill, which was
taken up in the senate and which pro-
vides s750,0o0,00O additional for the
railroad administration. Democratic
and Republican leaders were united in
its support, but long discussions of
certain amendments were in sight. The
81, 900, 100000 wheat guarantee bill
and the resolution repeating the 10
per cent war tax on semi-luxuries were
the only other important measures on
the informal program.
Interest centered in the senate as
to how many appropriation bills the
Republicans would force over to the
extra session.
The general impression among both
Democrats and Republicans early to-
Gay was that the army and navy,
agriculture and District of Columbia
appropriation bills would fail of pass
age.
Republicans were reticent. They
refused to announce plans, pointing
out private Republican ranks are not
| completely united as to what should
| be done.
Eight the President"
While the spirit of fight the presi-
dent is strong in some Republicans,
others today wore a what's the uSe''
expression. due they said, to what
| they termed their party's surrender on
the Victory loan bill, regarded as the
oily measure of failure which might
n can an extra session.
Failure of Republicans to unite in
| a determined filibuster against the
| president was regarded by some as
| throwing away the fruits of the vic
tory gained at the polls last November
| The senate today had before it the
deficiency bill, providing $3.50, 100000
for the railroads and about $26.00G,-
600 for miscellaneous purposes. Dem
ocratic leaders expected this bill tc
pass, but admitted today it is the onb
one of the remaining supply bill:
which they are at all hopeful about
| Republican Fflibuster.
| The legislative situation is full o1
possibilities, observers pointed out, an6
| inasmuch as the deficiency bill is not
generally expected to occupy nearly
all the day and half which remains
|
administration leaders might decide to
! force an issue with Republicans on al
| the bills.
| In that event. if Republicans carry
! out the threats they made Sunday
when they yielded on the Victory loar
| bill, they will filibuster.
Many of them have views on the
! league of nations which they have sc
| far refrained from expressing. Sena-
tor Sherman, Illinois. has already an
nounced he will devote several hours
to discussing it.
| Senator Harding said he might tall
on the league in connection with the
! naval bill if it is called up. Senator
! LaFollette also intimated that he has
a few observations to submit if the
occasion warrants.
| Aside from the departmental ap.
preparation bills, which are apparently
certain to fail. Secretary Lanes $10O,-
| 100000 homestead for soldiers bill
Smith, of Georgia Americanization bill
! providing better instruction for alien.
in American language and customs
the woman suffrage amendment; dry
! enforcement legislation and hundred.
1