The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1919-07-03
PAGE EIGHT
/, Congressional News Notes.

The Dill enQlng government cOsltiO4
and operation Of telephones, tele-
graphs, cable, and radio communities
ton is ready for President Will
sons signature. Final legislative ac-
ton was taken in adoption by the
house and by the senate of the confer
ence agreement, which is expected to
terminate government wire admins
tration July 81. AS finally approved,
the legislation ends government con-
troll at midnight on the last day of the
calendar month in which President
Wilson approves the bill. Chairman
H. B. Cummins of the interstate COM
merce committee told the senate that
it was assumed the president would
sign the bill next month and that the
repeal law will be effective July 81.
The only other important provision of
the measure continues toll and local
telephone rates for four months after
approval of the bill, unless sooner adj
justed by state commissions.
The senate adopted the Johnson
resolution calling on the president to
state his policy in Siberia, the pur-
pose of maintaining American troops
there, and when they will be brought
home. Acting Secretary of State F.
L. Polk, befo1e a house committee, de-
MED that United States funds are be-
ing used to pay interest on the pri-
vately held bonds Of the former Rus
sian government.
Sale of government merchant ships
to private owners, recommended to
congress by Chairman E. N. Hurley
of the shipping board, was opposed by
Senator D. U. Fletcher of Florida,
ranking democrat and former chair
man of the senate commerce commit
tee, in an address to the senate on
shipping legislation. An indetermi-
nate policy Of government operation
of the new merchant fleet either by
the government itself or through pri-
vate corporations chartered or con-
trolled by the government was advo-
Gated by Mr.. Fletcher. Whether the
government should continue construc-
ton of ships Mr.. Fletcher said, is
matter for future determination.
Senator w. E. Borah, opposing the
fixing of the average strength of the
army to 100000 men for the next fiscal
year, told the senate that the league
of nations means peacetime conscrip-
ton and the maintenance of the larg-
est navy in the world by the United
States. The principle of disarmament
had been discarded, he declared. The
senate, without dissenting vote,
passed the $880,000,000 army bill,
making provision for an army of AGO.
600 men for the next fiscal year. AS
passed by the house, the bill carries
only $718,0O0,0O0 and provides for an
army of 100000 men. Considerable
dispute between the two houses is an
ticipated before the difference is ad-
justed.
With the appropriation bills passed,
the decks will be cleared for the big
fight over the league of nations cove
nant, which will begin in the senate as
soon as the president arrives, submits
the treaty and starts around the coun-
try urging the people to insist upon
ratification protecting at least three
reservations recognizing the
Monroe doctrine unequivocally, an
other exempting domestic questions,
like immigration, from the jurisdiction
of the league, and still another absolv-
ing the United States from any obliga-
ton to furnish American troops in
foreign wars.
Wartime prohibition will be en-.
forced during the month or two Of its
existence by the department of jus.
tice and internal revenue bureau, with
the aid of local authorities. The en-
forcement machinery is inadequate
congress having made no special pro
vision for carrying out the law
though enforcement legislation is nov
pending in the house to be considere.
July 7.
Reviving the principle of selfdeter
mination, republican senator's have be
gun a vigorous drive in behalf of op
pressed peoples overlooked or ignore
in the peace treaty. The bartering Q
100000 people comprising the popu
lation of Shantung to Japan was cor
demned. The Irish question was tn
subject of spirited debate when Sens
tor W. E. Borah declared the league {
nations meant the doom Of Ireland
hopes for independence. Senator L.
Sherman Of Illinois introduced a res.
luton expressing the senate's symp:
thy with the expressed desire of til
people of Fiume to be joined to Ital
Senator Spencer of Missouri opene
the Korea question nv introdncinp