Grand Forks herald. [volume] (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1916-1955, 1919-03-01
EVENTS OF A WEEK

followed by a week of the most strenuous activity. I'm
mediately after his arrival in Boston there was an ad-
dress in that city in which he stated with emphasis his
attitude on the subject of the league Of nations and threw
down the gage Of battle to all who oppose the completion
Of plans for such an organization. Then came the trip
to Washington. the review of returned troops. and confer
ences with political leaders, with time devoted to the
clearing UP Of work that had accumulated on his desk.
On his first full day ir the capital the president signed
twenty-eisht bills. including tho six billion dollar revenue
bill which had Just been passed in Its completed form.
with ali Of this work, and the making Of a number Of
important appointments the president has had u busy
week. a.t 49,.
Through the leaders of his party in congress Presi-
dent Wilson has given notice that he does not expect or
desire at this time the adoption by congress of a resolu-
ton in approval of the league of nations. The league
plan, it has been made known, will form a part of the
general peace treaty which will be framed at Paris, and
in this form 1t will be presented to the American senate
for approval. Inasmuch as the league constitution has
been accepted by the nations represented in the peace
conferences, and it is not only the general principle but
the particular plan that has received their assent, 1t is
not expected that the draft will be changed now in any
matter that will affect the principle on which it is to oper-
ate. Slight changes in verbiaee on some points are likely
to be made. in order to make more clear the meaning.
but aside from this it is expected that the constitution
will be incorporated in the peace treaty practically as it
stands.
The president held an important conference with the
members Of the foreign relations committee of the senate,
ana the gathering. which took the form Of a dinner at the
White House, was a most cordial one, and the discussion
which followed was quite informal and very frank. The
president outlined his views on the subject, and invited
questions and Interruptions, in which the guests partici-
patsd freely. As a result of this conference it was al
not,nced that the Republican membera who had expressed
themselves in opposition to the plan, remained with their
views unchanged. while the others were not only strength
ened in their opinions, but received information which
they believed would be most effective in presenting the
Subject Of the league later on.
t .
Next in importance and in public interest to the dis
cussion Of the>leasue of nations has been the attention
given to matters of pending legislation in congress. The
president has urged that all the important pending bills
ibe rushed through in order that this work may be COM
plsted before March 4. when the present congress dies a
natural death. Contrary to q very widely held opinion
the president has declared that he will not call an extra
session Until after the close Of the peace conference, and
~ this 10 likely to be not before June, legislation uncom-
fpleted now must remain ~uncompleted until that time. n
There are pending now several important appropria-
ton bills. one Of them for $1eo.ooo,oeo for the reclama-
ton work recommended by Secretary Lane in order to
04SvSAV WIN AA SAAAS SOAuACAS, Anu W UIlUB 4UIO -
large areas Of public land at present unproductive. Many
other very important bills are either before one house or
the other or ae in committees, and the completion of all
this lsgislGtion in about a week would be a -stupendous
task. The charge has been made that Republican men,
hers have pursued dilatory tactics in order to prevent ac-
ton on these matters at this session, 50 that they might
be dealt with At the extra session which they desired to
have called at once. To this charge those accused reply
with spirit that the real responsibility for delay rests with
= - -. T. 81
who have failed to have bills reported until the last mo-
mont.
One Of the matters which must go over is that Of rail-
road legislation. The existing law, under which the gov
ernnsnt u now in charge Of the railroads. provides that
the roads must be returned to their private owners not
more than 81 months after the close Of the war. The
close Of the war, Of course, will be marked by the signing
Of the peace tredty. Unless there is legislation on the SUBJ
1eet in the meantime, therefore, the roads must be re-
turnd to private ownership within about two years from
this time. At the opening Of the present session Of con-
gress the president urged the enactment Of legislation
which would prepare the way for the return Of the roads
to their private owners and their operation on a basis
more sound and losical than the former one. Failing
this Mr.. Wilson intimated that he would restore THE roads
70 private ownership at a very early date. Director Cen
eral McAdoo urged the retention Of the roads for five
years In order that . comprehensive policy might be
worried out. Both recommendation have been ignored,
ana the whole situation il surrounded BY the same uncer-
gtafnty that characterised It months aso. Nothing can be
done until : bslatsd extra session unless the president
shonid think III IN the nsantins 70 cut the knot ), re-
turning the roads sunanas.ily. which he could DO u aay
tims.
Anoas the in1ortsat i'm sessauH paasd o. w,-
~asteAtiaiiy asTssl - iaGs q Ne wssk were Ii. yseery
- ~ ~ - ~ aS1rssvtGssns sns binsea dollars