Omaha daily bee., 1919-05-18
PROBE OF
WARW0RK.
PLAN med
BY c.. 0. P.
House Republicans Add to
Party Program Investigation
of Administration Activi-
ties and Expenditures.

Washington, May 17.-Republican
members of the house, upon the
converting of congress, propose to
institute "such investigation of ad-
ministration activities and expendi-
lures since the beginning of the
war as will fully inform the people
who serve the public interest" This
item was added to the party's legis-
lative program by the house repub-
leans tonight at a conference ap-
parently devoid of fractional dif-
ferences.
The conference also went on rec
ord as favoring early passage Of
legislation, outlining definite mill
tary policy; of measures providing
for early return of American SOL
diers from overseas; of public oil
and coal land legislation and Of
measures to promote water power
development. s
Revision of the immigration laws
and enactment of legislation pro-
viding for deportation of undesir-
able aliens also was added to the
party's legislative program. y
Legislative Program Approved.
The items of the legislative pro-
gram as previously adopted by the
party's steering committee were ap-
proved. This provides for early re-
turn of telephone and telegraph
lines, adoption of federal constitu-
tional women suffrage amendment,
consideration of legislation of COM
prehensive merchant marine policy,
budget and tariff legislation, redue-
ton in domestic taxation with "in-
mediate repeal of the obnoxious con-
sumption taxes" reduction of ex-
penditures, passage of measures to
conserve the welfare of our return
ing soldiers and enactment of rail-
way legislation and development of
transportation facilities.
The controversy over enlargement
of the steering committee was pass
ed over in accordance with a de
cision reached by party leaders prior
to the conference.
The conference proposed that the
the republican members, who will be
in majority in the new house, enact
legislation for the extension of for
eign trade and the promotion of
agriculture and manufacture.
Republicans to Organize.
Plans for converting the Sixty-
sixth congress Monday were COM
pleted today with receipt of Presi-
dent Wilson's formal call and with
the holding by the dominant political
parties of their final organization
conferences
The opening session will be de-
voted to the routine affairs of Or
ganization and the reading of
President Wilson's cable message.
The principal organization feature
will be the election of republican Of
ficers by both senate and house,
markingthe passing of control from
the democrats to the republicans,
after being in the hands of the for
mer for eight years.
The session, according to plans of
leaders, although destined to be
eventful and protracted, will get into
motion slowly, little business being
planned for the first week. Although
the peace treaty, including the
league of nations covenant, is not
expected to be laid before the senate
until next month: much speechmak-
ing on peace subjects is planned.
Clark Chosen Floor Leader.
Three party conferences on in
augural procedure were held today.
The house democrats met and by ac-
clamation chose former Speaker
Clark as their candidate for speaker
and floor leader. Opposition to Mr.,
Clark previously expressed was not
apparent at the meeting, as a result
of conferences between Clark sup
porters and opponents. "
The program for senate procedure
also was completed today, when
democratic senator's met in, confer
ence and named a slate of officers,
with Senator Pittman of Nevada as
candidate for president pro tenn. The
republicans, with a majority of two,
are expected to elect Senator Cum
minis of Iowa as president pro tenn