Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1919-08-12
The Egregious Failure of
The Republican Congress
RESPONSIBILITY for the critical con-
fusion now reported from Washing

fusion now reported from Washing
- ton lies largely at the door of a Re-
publican Congress that chose to play pygmy
politics rather than grapple the times great
needs Had the majority leaders, particular
w those in the Senate, spent half the pains
on problems of reconstruction and read1ust-
ment that they have in trying to embarrass
the President and make campaign capital Tor
1920, the nation would be incomparably pet
ter off AS it is, however, weeks and
months have gone empty-handed away, so
that the country now finds itself as perplexed
with after-the-War issues as when congress
convened on May the nineteenth.
Before the President called this special
session. Republican leaders were beWallng
what they termed his obstinate REFUSAL to
give the legislative branch of the Government
a chance at the problems of the hour IN the
last stages of the preceding session, tney NIL
bustered to death number OF important
measures, among which were the urgent sup
n1v bills their purpose being to force the
President to summon the new Republican
Congress into extraordinary session. The pub
lie had warrant to expect, therefore, that
broad program of essential legislation would
be undertaken without delay and be pressed
earnestly forward.
But what is there to show for results?
How has Republican leadership met the re-
sponsibilities and opportunities or the ses-
sion? Not one constructive measure mas Deen
enacted. Not one problem has been solved or
even simplfed The only thing done is the
passage Of appropriation bills and the launch
ing of fleet of petty attacks on the Govern
ment's war record. Ever since this RepuD-
ucan-ruled Congress has been in session, the
burdensome cost of living has clamored for
investigations; but the party Of Lodge and
Penrose has been too busy in efforts to be-
cloud the fame of Democratic President and
too intent upon next years political hatch1ngs
to notice 90 non-partisan a matter as the cost
of living. From the day this congress con-
oh Nn7fh he q q
there has been insstent need of legislative
consideration of the railroad question; but
the party of Borah and Knox was too en-
crossed in schemes to destroy the League or
Nations to take up an issue that called Tor
constructive thinking. Likewise the pressing
problem of Army reorganization and of the
future of the merchant marine demanded at
tention The Interior Departments reclama-
ton program, together with its excellent plan
to provide farm sites for released soldiers
merited prompt support. Educational meas
ures of the utmost Importance, like that IN
troduced in the preceding session by Senator
Smith of Georgia, awaited action scores OF
opportunities for service kept beckon1ng ana
scores of high duties cried out for perform
ance, but all in vain, to politicians who saw
. no further than their partisan designs and
heard no voice but petty prejudice.
Their one line of activity has been directed
against President Wilson, who, in his deep
concern in the treaty OF peace, mas Deen
which he only could discharge. He has been
working for peace that will Justify Amer
ica's part in the World war and bring to pass
the dream of them who died that freedom
might endure and goodwill abide among men.
But the Lodges and Knoxes were not content
that the President should do his part Whlle
Congress did it's part. Instead, they set out
to interfere with his efforts and to dlscreolt
his accomplishments. Not only have they
neglected urgent duties of domestic legls!a-
ton, but they have also INSTRUCTED the settle-
ment of foreign problems. France and Eng
land promptly ratified the peace treaty, but
the United States is still held back in tWl-
light zone between peace and war. For near
Iy a month now"Senate Republicans have Kept
the treaty in the Foreign Relations Commit
tee. and apparently they are no nearer con-
clusion today than at the outset
Truly, as the New York World declares
sthere can be neither stability nor certainty
anywhere while Senators are threatening so 10
mutilate the treaty that new negotiations may
be necessary or the United States competed
to make separate peace with Germany. IN
those Lilliputian tactics, those partisan negll-
eences and distractions, lies the source OF
much of the perplexity that darkens and dis.
ouiets the nation. Surely in the presence OF
conditions as they now are the Republican
Congress will cease its dawdling and mar
plotting course!