The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1919-03-01
Return of President Wilson
Arouses Slothful Lawmak-
ers from Debauch Of
Idle Chatter.
CALL FOR ACTION IN
STEAD OF TALK
There Will be No Extra Session
Before Summer and Failure to
Enact Necessary Laws Will be
Charged to Republicans.

Wilson will not call an extra session
Of congress until after his return
rom Europe.
Senator Martin Of Virginia, Demo
cratic leader in the senate, made this
announcement tonight after confer
ence with the president at the White
House. While the president did not
state when he expected to- reach
home after his second trip overseas,
Senator Martin gave it as his person
al opinion that it would not likely be
earlier than June 1.
President Wilson was said to feel
it his duty. to remain in Europe un-
til the treaty of peace was conclud-
ed.
1.-THE president said he would re-
turn to. Paris Immediately after
March 4 and was positive that he
would not call an extraordinary ses-
sion Of congress until he returns,
Senator Martin said. He did not
state the date Of his return nor did
he Authorize me to quote him in re-
spect to that point but my personal
opinion and judgment is that there IS
no reasonable expectation Of his be-
ing back prior to June l."
Senator Martin was accompanied
to. the White House by Senator Sim
Mons of North G, colina. They con-
ferred for nearly an hour with the
executive, discussing IN detail the
congestion of legislation in congress.
Further than the formal state
n1ent Of the Democratic leader, both
senator's declined to comment on
their discussions with the president,
but it was understood that the execu-
tive would vigorously insist that all
pending appropriation bills and oth-
er urgent legislation be enacted be-
! fore congress adjourns next Tuesday
| to provide for operation Of the gov
ernment in the event his work. at
| Paris should hold him after July l..
when the new appropriations would
be. needed.
1 IT was reported that failure Of any
of the mass OF urgent legislation
would be charged by the president
and administration leaders to the
Republican opposition. The present
situation was such. that all apDro-
pri9tion and other bills could . be
passed The president was reported
ready to advise the country of the
| situation and insist upon enactment
Of all urgent measures.
The presidents decision added to-
1 night. to the uncertainty Of events
during the closing days Of congress
Republican leaders were said tee,be
ready to disclaim responsibility for
failure Of legislation on the ground
that enactment Of all the mass of
! money and ether bills in the remain
ing FIVE working days was inapos-
sible with continuous debate sched-
ule daily on the proposed constitu-
| tion of the league of nations.
| In view of the presidents deternni-
! nation to demand enactment Of all
pending important measures. the
Democratic leaders tonight planned
to increase demands during the re-
mainder Of the session for speedy Tac-
ton Considerable progress was
made today with the final enactment
of the s40O,Oo0,OOo postof1ice appro-
! priation bill and the reporting to-
night to the senate of the 81, ,000,-
900 army appropriation Dill. In the
house the 100000 Victory
Loan bill was practically completed
with a final vote scheduled for to-
morrow.
Although before they conferred
with the president the Democratic
leaders had conceded that an extra
session was inevitable, they now are
prepared to hasten action on the
ccngested calendar. The $1,000. .000,-
600 naval appropriation bill probab-
ly will be reported to the senate to-
morrow together with the measure
authorizing S750,O00,000 addition for
the railroad administration. Quick
action also is planned in the senate
on the Victory Loan" bill.
Passage Of the measure providing
81 ,000.000,000 for maintenance of the
federal wheat guarantee also is plan
ned. for these with the regular ap-
preparation bills are expected largely
to comprise. the legislative slate for
the remainder of the session.