Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1919-03-06
E|L|BUSTER BLOCKS
IMPORTANT BILLS
Partisanship Breaks Forth in
the Last Hours of 65th Con-
gress and Defeats Big Ap-
preparation Measures
HOLDS UP RAILROAD FUND
Thirty-Nine Senators. Sufficient to De-
feat Ratification OF Constitution Of
League of Nations ms It Now Stands,
Sign the Lodge Resolution.

Washington, March A bitter con-
troversy between President Wilson and
the Senate over the league of nations
and a f1libuster by few republican
senators seeking to force an imme-
diate extra session marked the passing
at noon to-day of the 65th or Great
War Congress.
Called In April, 1917, to throw Amer
ica's weight into the conflict overseas.
the Congress held three momentous
and historic sessions. Partisanship lay
dormant during the war but it broke
forth in the last session to the end in
final flibuster which successfully
blocked half of the IA regular appro-
priation bills including the s750,o00,000
railroad adm nistration revolving
fund, and the huge army, navy and
merchant marine budgets.
Although unsuccessful in their ef-
forts to record the Senate in favor of
amendment Of the constitution of the
League Of Nations as now drawn the
republican senators left in the record
a resolution approved by 80 of them
opposing acceptance of the charter
in it's present form. Republican Lead
er Lodge and other spokesman said
this was notice to the President and
the peace conference that the neces-
sary two-thirds majority in the new
Senate for ratification OF the present
plan could not be obtained. Democra-
tic leaders privately expressed belief
that amendments would he made soon
after the President reached Paris.
President Wilson spent an hour at
the Capitol before adjournment. Later
he formally announced that despite
hn 1%
road and other bills he would adhere
to his refusal to call the new Con-
gress before his return from France.
and criticised "a group of men" for
their obstruction as a result of the
filibuster, which held the Senate in
continuous session for 26 hours, the
President had little to do at the
Capitol except sign the 81 1000, 900
wheat guarantee bill and exchange
leave takings with members and
friends.
Because of the Presidents decision on
the extra session, members who crowded
outgoing trains tonight felt assured that
Congress would not again assemble much
before June /. Leaders predicted that
then it would remain in continuous ses-
sion until the 1920 political convention
During the recess business will be
virtually suspended except for resump-
ton tomorrow of the OverInan commit
tees propagandas investigation and the
meetings at the same time Of the House
republican committee on committees
With the ending of Congress scores Of
statements on the results OF legislation
and the League of Nations were issued
by members with democrats and re-
publcans disputing responsibility for
failure of important measures. Most re-
publican members urged the calling Of
an early extra session.
Despite the death Of Congress, con-
troversy over the league of nations
lconstitution will he agitated con-
tnually by advocates and opponents.
Prominent democratic and republican
lcongreesmen already have speechmak-
Ing itineraries planned with senators
Borah of Idaho. republican. and Reed
of Missouri and Thomas of Colorado,
democrats, to speak soon at New York.
Boston and other cities in criticism of
the league constitution Republican
Leader Lodge does not plan to engage
/ in the speechmaking
Chief interest at the finish cent ere d
In the Senate flibuster and the league
of nations controversy. The hlibuster
continued from 10 o'clock yesterday
morning until II; 40 O'Clock to day, with
Senator's Sherman of Illinois, LaFol-
lette of Wisconsin and France of Mary
land occupying most of the time of the
long session, 1t even prevented the
customary exchange of courtesy at the
nnish. In the House. however. tho
usual riotous scenes marked the close
of the session. Tho clock was stopped
n few minutes for final Fluctuations and
for an hour after adjournment House
members exchanged good byes with
music, songs and impromptu speeches.