The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-05-19

future course with respect to the rest Of
the world.
Congressional leaders OF both parties
VIII not lose sight for a moment of. the
fact that the special session and the
regular session merging together in all
probability will keep Congress in session
until very close to the time for the
Presidential election and the general
election In the autumn OF 1920. And
all will have their eyes on this event
and shape their actions and the actions
and policies of their parties in Congress
with the full knowledge that then not
only will the war administration of
Woodrow Wilson receive the indorse-
ment or disapproval Of the voters of the
country but that the conduct Of the
Republicans now In control Of the legis-
lative branch of the Government will be
subjected to the acid test.
The beginning OF tho session will be
novel In the fact that II will be the
first Inauguration OF any session of
Congress which President Wilson has
failed to address in person since his
elevation to the White House. His
cabled message will be read to the two
branches IN Joint session, when officers
of the Senate and House selected by
the Republican majorities will be elect
ed formally. 49,.
Inquiry Into Conduct of War.
Once Congress gets into It's proper
stride Investigations into the whole con-
duct Of the war administration wifi 20
on side by side with the grinding out
OF the constructive legislation neces-
sary for the after the war period. These
investigations are not to be undertaken
with the sole idea of trying to embar-
rass the Administration. but to bring to
light the true situation which has ex-
listed and to apply the proper remedy
where It Is not too late.
Congress 10 faced with the RESPONSE
biqty for working out the future policy
OF the Government toward the railroads.
The situation Is looked on MS the most
entangled and difficult TO unravel and
Is complicated by the fact that the Rail.
road Administration Is even now in dire
need of additional funds and proba bly,
will demand from Congress an imrne-
diate appropriation Of a billion dollars
STRENGTHENING out the telephone and
telegraph tansle and the return Of the
systems TO private ownership must be
accomplished and II is a foregone con-
clusion that tho formation Of this legis-
lation will be accompanied by q thor
ough Investigation OF the manner in
which. Postmaster-General Burleson, to
whose hands the administration of the
systems was entrusted after they were
taken over, has discharged that trust
Leaders already have promised that
the torrent of complaint and the failure
Of the country controlled wires to live
up to the promises made when the legis-
lation empowered the Government to
take control shall receive the attention
It demands.
Ship Policy to he Determined.
On top OF the railroads and wire situa-
lions the shipping situation will have to
be investigated thoroughly with the idea
OF determining what the future policy Of
the United States toward his new great
industry shall be. Chairman Hurley Of
the Shipping Board and the committees
Of Congress which will frame the legisla-
ton are ready to work together har-
moniously on this problem with an idea
OF turning the great feet Of Government
owned ships built under the spur of the
stern necessities OF war, over to the
most advantageous peace time usage.
These constructive problems must be
worked out eventually, but the first work
OF Congress must be to pass as rapidly
as possible the appropriation bills for
running the Government after July /
next and providing funds for the Railroad
Administration. In due time also the
action Of Congress in adopting legisla-
ton affecting the army and navy and
making appropriations for their main