The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-03-04
CONGRESS
ADJOURNS
Amid Republican FiIibuster.
important Bills, Including
Railroad Bill, Killed.
WILSON DETER ED
Not to Call Session Before He
Returns-Lodge Said to
Be Helpless.

Washington, March 4.--Congress
adjourned at noon today in the midst
of a republican filibuster in the SEN
ate that killed a long list of impor-
tant measures.
Among the bills that failed was one
appropriating $750,000,0O0 for the
railroad administration, without
which some administration leaders
say the railroads must be returned to
their owners before the middle Of
April.
I There was no turning back of
clocks. Democratic leaders realized
the situation was hopeless, and the
gavels ending the long, great war ses-
sion and the Sixty-fifth congress ac-
tually tapped at noon.
Just before adjournment President
Wilson, in his capitol office, author
lied final notice to the republicans
that their efforts to force an imme-
diate extra session had failed; that
he was unshaken in his determine
tion not TO call congress until his
work at the peace conference was
done.
Democratic Control Ends.
Adjournment marked the passing
of democratic control at the capitol
The congress that passed at noon be-
gan in April, 1917, with the German
war declaration, and its almost con-
tinued sessions have been marked by
unprecedented legislation and COL
troversy. Nf8
Only Two Ran Gauntlet.
Big bills that faifed included both
4 ~ q trae.
measures. Only two important meas
ures ran the gauntlet OF the last for
ty-eight hours Of filibustering. They
were the victory loan bill and the
billion dollar wheat guarantee bill.
Washington, March IA. P.)-
Congress went into the final hours Of
it's long war session today with the
republican filibuster against general
legislation completely in control and
with leaders of both sides conceding
the general deficiency bill. with
$3.50, 100000 for the railroad admins
tration, would fail in the face of un-
relenting obstruction by small re-
publican group.
Some spokesmen of the admins
tration said failure of this measure
would mean almost i'm
return of the railroads to
their owners, because the govern
ment could not retain and finance
them without the appropriation.
After this conversation, Senator
Martin announced the general de-
flciency bill would be kept before the
senate either until passed or until
the session expired.
Senator Martin said according to
The plan, no executive session would
De held. This would mean the nomi-
nation of A. Mitchell Palmer to be
attorney general, John Shelton Will
iams to be comptroller of the cur
-ency and many other nominations, |
those of hundreds o. post |
masters, would remain unacted upon. |
BY the middle of April, it was said, |
he railroad administration's present |
,unds would be exhausted. and only |
IN extra session before then could |
make it possible to continue govern |
nent operation Of the roads pending |
'emedial legislation, which all inter-
,sts have urged.
After Democratic Leader Martin |
told him the railroad bill could not !
pass. the president authorized Mr.. !
Martin to announce that under no |
would ne change his |
plan postponing the calling of the |
new congress until his return from |
France.
Lodge Unable to Check 1t.
There was still hope among the re-
1ublicans that President Wilson |
could be forced to call the new con-
yress soon. but after a conference 1
,arly today between the president |
md Democratic Leader Martin it was
stated Mr.. Wilson had reiterated his
to have no extra ses-
zion before his return from France.
While the White House conference
vas in progress Senator Sherman, Of
Illinois, republican, was on the floor
If the senate announcing that the
speech he began at 1880 o'clock this
morning would be continued until ad-
ournment If necessary to kill the de-
iciencv measure.
Senator Lodge. of Massachusetts,
epublican leader. and others who
Usually direct the movements of the
epuhllCan Slde. were represented as
lesiring TO see the railroad appro-
,riation made. but unable to check
he f1libuster which originally started
gainst the big general appropria
ion bills which have failed.
Resoeet to Kentuckian.
After adopting the resolution eN-
PRESSING the hope that the peace con-
erence would look with favor on the
laims of Ireland for self-determina-
ion. the house at Z o'clock recessed
or two hours in respect to Repre-
entative Helm, of Kentucky. who
lied Sunday at Columbus. Miss.
The flihuster in the senate against
he general deficiency bill carrying
N approximation for the railroad adj
was conducted through
he night bv Senators L. Toilette.
france. of MARYLAND. and sherman.
La Toilette Ended at 5:15 am.
Senator Ia Toilette took the fioor
oon after Senator Lodge had pre-
ented his resolution. and smoke for
our hours concluding at Sis o'clock.
Ie was followed bv Senator Frarce-
Fho spoke for two hours. and at 1880