Evening star., 1919-03-04
BEGINS
RETURN TO EUROPE
Sails From New York Tomor-
roW-Makes League
Speech There Tonight.

Radiattng that confidence that
has. characterized him during the
intense week he has spent in his
own country, President Wilson left
the White House today at / 40 pm.
His word of goodbye" to each of
the employees Accompanied by his
smile, made an impression that none
will forget.
The last act of the President at the
White House was to issue a statement
reafirming his belief tina. his duty
was to attend the peace conference,
and placing upon the group of men
in the Senate" who conducted fill
buster during the closing hours OF
the session responsibility for the fall
wo Of necessary legislation. en-
baEasament of the administration and
1mpefiling the financial interests OF
tho cuuntry's railroads.
Members of the cabinet, leaders in
Congress- and many officials said
goodbye to the President while he
was in his Office at the Capitol signing
the last bills and resolutions passed.
From there the President drove to
the White House for lunch and
promptly at o'clock he was on board
his special train for New York. where
he speaks tonight with former Presi-
dent Taft on the league of nations.
He had arranged TO stop at Phiiadei-
ephia for an hour and half on the
way over to see his daughter. Mrs
Sayre, and his new grandson.
Goes to the Capitol.
President Wilson drove to the Cap
itol TO sign measures passed during
the closing hours Of Congress at 1880
this morning. Among the bills was
the wheat guarantee bill carrying an
appropriation Of 81 ,ooo,e 600 to man
tain the guaranteed price of s2.26
bushel.
Secretaries Glass and Houston and
Secretary Tumuity accompanied him.
Other cabinet officers. Including Sec
retaries Daniels and Redfeld, Joined
him in his private room off the Senate
chamber
Just before adjournment Presi-
dent Wilson, in his Capitol office.
authorized Anal notice to the re-
publicans that their efforts TO force
an immediae extra session had fall
ed; that ne was unshaken in his de-
termination not to call Congress un-
til his work at the peace conference
was done.
After Congress adjourned Presi-
dent Wilson remained in his room
twenty minutes greeting visitors.
Would Return Railroads.
Senator Smith OF South Carolina,
chairman OF the interstate commerce
committee, and Senator Overman of
North Carolina. were among those
who went TO the Presidents office and
urged that since the republicans had
defeated the essential appropriation
bill the railroads be returned to their
owners forthwith.
The President made no comment on
Senator Smiths suggestion, nor did he
give any intimaticn later OF his plans
for disposition Of the railroads.
Senator Overman of North Carolina
also suggested that since the republi-
cans had defeated the $750.00o. 600 ap
preparation bill for the railroad admin
istration hat the roads now under
federal control be turned back to their
owners Immediately. Senator Overman
also, it is understood, told the Presi-
dent that under no circumstances
should there be an extra session of
Congress called now since the republic
cans have seen fit TO block so many
bills.
Senator overman also asked the
President, it is understood about
nominations of nearly score of
federal judgeships. but Mr.. Wilson
said he could not act on them before
starting for Europe
Secretary Baker acting Secretary
Polk of the State Department and
Director General Hines of the railroad
administration were among the other
officials in the Presidents room.
Senator Kirby and Representative
Wingo of Arkansas called at the ex-
ecutive office. the former to see Sec
retary Tumulty about an appoint
ment and the latter to bid the Presi-
dent goodbye.
On their way TO New York. the
President and Mrs. Wilson stop at
Philadelphia for an hour or more
to visit Mr.. Wilson's daughter. Mrs.
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