The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1919-05-24
HOW MESSAGE
WAS RECEIVED
Republicans Assert That They
Have Planned Legislation
Suggested
PROHIBITIONISTS STIRRED
BY RECOMMENDATION
Repeal of Ban on Beer Will Be
Energeticaliy Fought in The
House and Senate

Wilson'S cabled message outlining !"g-
islation for the extra session of the
new congress was read separately IN
the senate and house today by clerks
and arrangements were made by CON
gressional leaders for immediate con-
sideration Of the vast, legislative pro-
gram with the equal suffrage resoi!-
ton to come up tomorrow in the
house.
Major recommendation OF me
president were for early return TO
private ownership of railroads, tels-
graphs and telephones, for repeal Of
war time prohibition insofar as III
plying to beer and wines, for woman
suffrage, retailiatory tariffs, protection
of the dyestuffs industry and labor
and employment measures. The pres
dent announced his intention to turn
back the railroads at the end Of the
calendar year.
Republican leaders met the pfesl-
dents proposal for early return ri
public utilities with statements that
such legislation is already planned.
AS to the prohibition recommendation
both Republicans and Democratic
| dry leaders joined in vigorous state
ments dissenting from the presidents
suggestions ard predicting that 80
bec,. and wine repeal would DE pass
ed. Opinion in both senate and house
asascertained by leaders was general
that the ban on beer and wine would
not be lifted.
Presentation of the presidents mes
sage-the first ever transmitted TO
this country by cable-was the pTinci-
| pa, business Of today's session. Neither
! the senate nor house were in session
! much more than an hour, the former
adjourned until next Friday and the
house until tomorrow.
Before the presidents message was
read the house arranged to take up
tomorrow the woman suffrage resolu-
; ton. Its adoption before adjournment
is planned. Senate leaders have pro
missed prompt action in the upper
body. probably early next month.
The flood Of bills and resolutions
opened in the senate today while
scores more were thrown into the
house hopper, which yesterday receiv-
ed about l.20G The principal meas
ures in the senate asked for copies
fthe peace treaty. for definition of
American policy in Russia, adoption
OF woman suffrage, establishment
Of a federal budget system and repeal
OF the luxury taxes and the day light
saving law All were referred to COM
nlittees, Democratic senator's object
ing 70 all requests for immediate con-
sideration.
Republican plans for many investi-
cations were launched in resolution
Of Chairman Green of the house nler
chant marine committee, proposing
inquiry into operations Of the ship
ping board and emergency feet cor
poration. Representative Welty OF
Ohio, asked for an investigation by a
ncnpartisan committee Of irregular
and unlawfcl expenditures
Organization Of senate and house
xas pushed forward today at a com
lnittec conference of house Repub.i-
cans a meeting OF the Republican
steering committee With Speaker Gill
ictte and al initial meeting Of the Re-
DuDi1CEt1 SSlldlOI CpIIillll(ItS O.l Sp.bl-
rlittees. The Democratic senators
steering committee viii NEE. tomor-
row 10 consider minority changes Of
the recommendation in the presi
dents message. those for return 10
private ownership Of railroads and !
wires and repeal OF war time prohi- !.
bition against beer and wines drew
most comment from congressional
leaders 1t was agreed that legisla-
ton dealing with public utilities vir
tually is assured at the present se:-
sion. Leaders also were interested i, /
the presidents statement that if re :
was familiar with administrative
questions affecting telegraph and tela-
phone systems he could name the OK
act date for their return also"
In proposing the beer and wine re-
peal measure the president said t!;at
disqualification of the military forces
:. has proceeded to such point
that it seems TO me entirely safe now
to remove the ban upon manufacture
and sale of wines and beers" Legs
lation is necessary to remove the pre-
l1ibition provisions. the president said
he had been informed. by his legal al
viSers.
Senator Sheppard of Texas, Demo-
crat and Representative Randall Of
California. prohibitionist champions
Of the time dry law and other pro-
hibition advocates predicted the re- ,
peal measure would not be enacted.
Some Republican leaders charged
he president with shifting response
,ility to the Republican congress and !
;aid that all he would gain would be-
criticism of prohibtionists.
Republicans of the house ways and I
means committee plan TO meet before s
he cpd OF the week to consider tar S
if and other legislation. Representa-
i've F'orney of Michigan, chairman G
II the committee declined to comment {
IN the presidents assertion that a y