Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1919-02-27
CONGRESS SPEEDS
Up LEGISLATION
Leaders, How
ever, Are Extremely Doubtful
of Enactment of All Appro.
priatiOn Bills
TENSION AT CAPITOL
Members OF Opposition Accusing One
Another of Delaying Action on I'M
portnnt Mensures-An Attempt to
Curb Speech Making

Washington, Feb. 26.-Although marked
progress in disposing of legislation was
made to-day by Congress after announce
ment that President Wilson would not
call an extra session until after his re-
turn from Europe administration lead
ers tonight still were extremely doubt
ful that all the necessary appropriation
bills could be enacted before adjourn
ment next Tuesday.
There was considerable tension over
the legislative situation at the Capitol
after ii became known that the Presi-
dent was insistent that all necessary
Legislation be disposed OF at this ses-
sion. on the Senate floor and in private
conversations democrats and republicans
charged each other with responsibility
for delay in action on important meas
ures.
President Wilson had planned to go to
the capitol this afternoon to confer with
democratic leaders in an effort TO acceler-
ate the work of Congress, but a prolonged
meeting of his war cabinet" prevented
He probably will carry out this program
Tomorrow before marching at the head
of the parade in honor of District Colum-
bia troops.
Democratic Leader Martin to-day urged
greater speed upon committee chairman.
He asked democratic senators to defer
prolonged speeches and requested Senator
owen of Oklahoma and Senator Hitch
cock of Nebraska to abandon proposed
speeches on the constitution of the League
of Nations. Senator owen spoke late in
the day.
In the speeding up to-day, the Senate
naval committee reported out the s721. .OoO-
900 naval appropriation bill with it's au-
thorization for a new three year building
program, but because of opposition to
some features of the measure leaders
doubt 1t can be enacted at this session.
They doubt also that the pending army
appropriation bill carrying s1.215. 900 0O0,
and the ss5O,0 900 sundry civil appropra-
ton measure can be passed.
Measures finally completed to-day were
the S9S,O00,o0o legislative, executive and
judicial bill, and the s32, ,OCO, 900 rivers and
harbors bill.
In the Senate. the 100000 diplomatic
and consular measure and the 1900. .0O(
| fertilization bill were passed and sent tc
conference. while the House approved the
Victory Liberty Loan measure and sent
it to the Senate. 1t is expected the loar
bill will be voted on tomorrow by the
Senate finance committee and probably
reported to the Senate.
The House took up the sundry civi
measure and worked on it until late il
| the night but the Senate adjourned a
seven o'clock because members of tn,
| foreign relations committee were to con
fer with the President at the Whit,
House and because the republicans in
sisted that a quorum should be present.
During Senate debate to-day, sharl
tilts occurred between democrats and re
publicans over the Presidents insstanc,
that legislation be cleaned up. Senators
Hitchcock and Overnan Of North Caro-
lima, democrats, urged speedy action OF
the calendar, while Senator kellogg o
Minnesota, republican, sharply disclaim
ed the suggestion, made from administra
ton sources, that republicans could b.
charged with responsibility for delays
Senator Thomas of Colorado, democrat
declared both parties were to blame an,
said an extra session must be held