New-York tribune., 1919-02-24
Congress Faces
Busiest w eel k
In Its History
q
Wilson's League Conference
and Selection of Next
Speaker To Be Features

WASHINGTON, Feb. 23-The final
week of the Sixty-hfth Congress will
be ushered in tomorrow with the busi-
est seven days in all Congressional his
tory in prospect.
Among the outstanding features of
the final week will be President Will
sons conference at the White House
Wednesday with the Foreign Relations
committees on the league of nations,
prospective daily discussion of the
league proposal in the Senate, selec-
tion by the House Republicans at a
conference Thursday Of candidate for
the Speakership of the next House, and
the final rush of appropriation bills
and other urgent legislation
Decision regarding an extra session
of the SiXty-sixth Congress also may
be reached during the week. With
sine die adjournment at noon on Tues
day, March d, and with more legisla-
tion remaining on the calendars than
in the history of many Congresses.
leaders of both houses have abandoned
hope of avoiding an extra session.
The only question, it was said by some
members to-day. is the time when it
will be called by the President.
April l or May Is
President Wilson will be advised
soon after his return regarding the
extra session. The nature of the adj
vice, according to Democratic leaders,
principally depends upon disposal of
10 !, nj
$1,000 100000 of short-term Treasury
notes in lieu of Liberty bonds for the
April loan campaign. If the measure
is passed the leaders plan to advise
the President to call the extra session
about May Is. If it fails, it was said, a
request foy call of Congress not later
than April 1 would be substituted. The
bill will be taken up in the House on
Tuesday.
Hope Of passing all of the appropria-
tion bills apparently has been aban-
doned by both Senate and House lead
ers. Only two of the sixteen regular
money bills have been enacted. A dozen
money measures are awaiting action in
the Senate, and Senate leaders declare
several of them are certain of failure.
Lewis to Defend League
Senate discussion of the league of
nations is one of the principal OBJ
stacles in the disposal of legislation
Defence of the league on behalf of the
Administration will be opened to-mor-
row by Senator Lewis, of Illinois.
Daily and protracted debate on the
league thereafter is in prospect. Sen
ator Owen, Democrat, of Oklahoma,
plans to discuss the league on Wednes-
day, Minority Leader Lodge on Friday
u md II.
former Secretary Of State,
on Saturday.
The Speaker of the next House is
to be chosen next Thursday night at
the conference Of Republicans, includ-
ing members elect. Friends of Repre-
sentative Gillett, of Massachusetts,,
are confident of his selection. although |
supporters of Representative Mann, of
have not yet conceded defeat.
Bills Likely To Be Passed
Among bills said to be virtually as
;ured of enactment were those appro-
1rlating $1,000, 100000 to maintain the
government wheat price guarantee,
'750,000,0O0 for the railroad admins
ration the bond bill, the postoffice
appropriation measure, the sundry |
:ivil bill, with $660,OOO,00O for the
Board. the measure appro-
'riating $13,000,000 for hospitals, the
legislative. executive and judicial sal
Try budget and the measure invalidat-
ng $2,750 1000, 900 of informal war con-
racts.
Failure of the following measures
generally is conceded: The $25 900 900
in connection with the
Colombian treaty. general railroad
egislation, labor and unemployment,
he public buildings bill, the woman
uffrage resolution, immigration re-
friction. regulation of the meat in
lustry, civil pensions and terminating
government control of telephone, tele-
-raph and Other wira svc+nn,s