The Birmingham age-herald., 1919-05-21

the equal suffrage resolution to { Major recommendations of the Presi- dent were for early return to private ownership Of railroads, telegraphs and telephones. for repeal of wartime pro- hibition insofar as applying to beer and wines, for woman suffrage, retalitory
 tariffs, protection of the dyestuff indus try and labor and employment measures. The President announced his intention to turn back the railroads at the end
 o. the calendar year.
 Republican leaders met the Presidents proposal for early return of public utili- ties by statements that such legislation
 already was planned. As to the prohibi-
 ton recommendation, both republican and democratic "dry" leaders joined in wig orous statements dissenting from the
 Presidents suggestions and predicting
 that no beer and wine repeal would be
 passed. Opinion in both Senate and
 House as ascertained by leaders was general that the ban on beer and wine would not be lifted
 SESSIONS VERY BRIEF Presentation of the Presidents message the first ever transmitted to this coun- try by cable-was the principal business of today's session. Neither the Senste or House were in session much more than an hour, the former adiourning until next Friday and the House until tomor- row. Before the Presidents message was read the House arranged to take up to- norrow the woman suffrage resolution. It's adoption before adjournment is plan ned. Senate leaders have promised prompt lNt tf next month.
 The flood of bills and resolutions open- ed in the Senate today while scores more were thrown into the House hopper which yesterday received about l20o The principal measures in the Senate asked for copies of the peace treaty, for def milton of the American policy in Russia, adoption Of woman suffrage cstablish- ment of federal budget system ana repeal of the luxury taxes and the day. light saving law. All were referred to committees, democratic senators object ing to all requests for immediate con sdera ton.
 LAUNCH INVESTIGATION PLANS Republican plans for many nvestga- tions were launched in resolution by Chairman Greene of the House merchant marine committee. proposing inquiry into operations of the shipping board and
 
 l tive Welty of Ohio asked for an investisa- ton by non partisan committee of 'ir~ regular and unlawful expenditures. Organization of Senate and House was pushed forward today at a committee conference of House republicans, a meet ing of the republican steering commit
 tee with Speaker Gillett and a meeting of the republican Senators committee on committees The democratic Senators
 steering committee will meet two minor
 ty changes.
 Of the recommen ndations in the Pres- dents messssc. those for return to pri- vate ownership of railroads and wires and repeal of wartime prohibition. against beer and wines drew most com ment from congressional leaders. It was agreed that legislation dealing with the public utilities virtually is assured at the present session. Leaders also were interested in the Presidents statement that if he was familiar with adminstra- tive questions affecting telegraph and telephone systems he could name the ex' act date for their return also.''
 In proposing the beer and wine rerea measure the President said 'demobiliza tion of the military forces has proceeded to such q point that 1t seems to me en- tirely safe now to remove the ban upon manufacture and sale of wines ars beers" Legislation is necessary to re- move the prohibition provisions, the President said he had been informed by J his legal advisers.
 DRYS TO OPPOSE PLANs
 Senator Sheppard of Texas. democrat, | and Representative Randall of Califc~~ | nia prohibitionist. champions of the | wartime dry law, and other prohibit | tion advocates issued statements announce | ing determined opposition to any new l legislation. Some republican leaders | charged the President with shifting re- | sponsiblity to the republican Congress | and said that all he would gain would | be criticism of prohbitionists. Republicans of the House ways and | means committee plan to meet before | the end of the week to consider tariff | and other revenue legislation. Repre- sentative Fordney of Michigan. chairman of the committee, declined to comment | on the Presidents assertion that gem eral revision of the tariff was unneces- sary Other republican members said that hearings of business men should de- eide whether there should be tariff re- l vision, while some say general revision was impossible because of the unsettled l condition of world affairs