Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-02-26

and the President, and between the
Democrats and Republicans In Congress
during the FIVE remaining days Of the
session.
Money Bills Endangered
The Republicans have put up such a
strong fight against several OF the most
important measures that are still pend.
ing that the passage of three of the
most important and most urgent bills
now before Congress, and three OF the
mos. important supply bills, Is endan-
gered.
The announced program for discussing
the league OF nations at length In the
Senate will be carried out. That will
DELAY action on the pending legislation
for several hours each day.
The fight between the President and
Congress will come TO q head today
when the Naval Affairs Committee OF
the Senate will take up the bg-navy
program. The Republicans will make
every effort 10 block the passage Of the
naval bill. They also have announced
openly their intention to prevent the
passage of the army and the sundry
civil appropriation measures. Upon these
two bills the Senate and House are al
most hopelessly at odds. The money
appropriated in them would not be
needed until July /. as the appropria.
tions are for the next fiscal year. which
commences on that date.
Three Others Opposed
The Republicans have selected three
other bills of pressing Importance,
against the passage of which they have
declared they will fight for the next
week.
They are the victory loan bill, the
bill validating oral army contracts and
the bill authorizing a S75O.OOO.OOO re-
volving fund for the operation of the
railroads.
The Republicans are opposed to the
Treasury Departments plan for selling
81, 900, ,OO0, 900 in short-term notes in
stead of Liberty Bonds, which is en-
bodied in the victory loan bill passed by
the House.
The urgent necessity for passing the
contract-validating bill is recognized by
the Republicans. but the Republican
Senate leaders are insisting that the bill
be finally passed in the shape in which
II left the Senate.
The Republicans are demanding a
complete explanation of the necessity
for giving the federal railroad adminis-
tration the s750,000,O00 which the
House has granted it, and want to write
their own railroad bill
Wilson Signs as Bills
On the first day of his return to the
capital President Wilson put in more
/ than ten hours at his desk, signing
twenty-eight bills and joint resolutions,
making a score of nominations, dis
cussing government business for three
hours with his cabinet and winding up
the days work by conference on the
! legislative situation with Democratic
Leader Martin, at which the President
announced his decision not to call an
extra session of Congress until after
his return from Europe.
Whether the President will address
Congress is believed to depend on the
legislative situation. Tonight he will
discuss the constitution Of the league
of nations in detail with members of
the Senate and House Foreign Affairs
Committees. who will be his guests at
dinner, and the belief Is growing in
official quarters that the President will
consider his explanations TO them suffi-
tent for the time being With many
! imperative bills still awaiting action. II
is said to be possible that President Will
son may consider 1t inadvisable to take