New-York tribune., 1919-02-27

ary 10. nearly two and one-half months
after Congress met. 1t was reported
in the Senate or February rs, yester-
day, with only seven days left of the
session.
"The naval bill was not reported in
the House until February 1. 1t was
received and referred to the Senate
Committee on February IL and has not
been reported yet. That is the bill
which carries $75O,ooo,ooO for q navy
to back up the league of peace.
"The Military Academy bill was re-
ported in the Senate Saturday the 18th.
"The agricultural bill was sent to
the committee of the Senate February
and has not been reported yet.
"The public building bill we will
pass over because / do not think that
will be passed anyhow.
"The sundry civil bill is still in the
House OF Representatives and there are
many more in the same condition.
Defends Republicans
81 deny absolutely that the Republi-
cans are responsible for these bills be-
ing reported in the last few days be-
fore Congress is to adjourn, when we
have the wheat bill, the naval bill, the
agricultural bill, the army bill, appro-
prlatlons beyond anything ever known
in this country, and we are expected to
pass them in a few hours and never
look at them"
The Senator has not named all the
bills by any manner of means," added
Senator Smoot, "for in the House there
is the general deficiency bill which
has not even been reported to the
House of Representatives, and that bill
will carry about billion dollars. Then
there is the bond bill carrying a billion
dollars for the encouragement of our
issuing of notes and certificates. Then
there is the railroad bill appropriating
$750,O00,000 to advance to the rail
road administration. Those bills are
not yet before the Senate, and all these
are to be put through the Senate with
the bills the Senator has enumerated
within the next five days or some body
ls going to say it is on account Of the
Republican opposition"
At the White House early to-day it
was indicated that there were four
appropriation measures (Which include
the naval bilD that the President de-
sires should be passed. These were
the swamp land bill, the water power
bill, the oil land leasing bill, and the
provision in the sundry civil bill pro-
viding for the Bureau of Employment,
which the House struck out. but which
the President wants put back in the
bill.
1t was also intimated at the White
House that the President proposed to
go to the Capitol this afternoon, and
direct the Democratic Senators in the
fight to speed up, from the Presidents
room, which is just off the Senate lob
by. The President, it is understood
was told of the impression this created
among the Republicans, however. and
how absolutely powerless the Demo-
Gratis would be if the Republicans de-
clded to force the fighting vigorously,
and as q result called off his visit to
the Capitol.
No Intention to Hurry
Meanwhile, the Republicans, having
heard of the approaching visit by the
President, took pains to show that they
had no intention of doing any hurry
ing which might result in passing the
naval bill, or permitting the contirma-
tion of Shelton Williams as Comp
troller.
AS result of Senator Jones's per
slstent refusal to permit the naval bill
to be reported after the morning hour,
despite Chairman Swansons plan that
the Naval Committee was in session
during the morning hour and did not
complete the bill until later in the dav.
the bill cannot be reported until to-
morrow: Then it must lie over a day
under the rules.
When the fight on it begins the op-
ponents of the league Of nations. TAX
ing as their text the provision of the
6lll which gives the discretion to the
President as to whether the building
programme is to be started or not, will
begin series of speeches attac king
the proposed use of this "club" of a
paper navy" by the President.
The decision of the Naval Committee
20 report the bill favorably was made
without dissenting vote.