South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1919-08-06
CONGRESS HALTED
IN H.C.OF L.DODGE
President Forces Action and
6. O.P. DubS Him Worlds
Greatest Politician"
BY JOHN J. CARSON

News-Times Washington Correspondent
WASHINGTON. Aux Sin ev-
err corner OF the world during this
heated period # appears that there
IS pressing duty for some mem Der
OF congress 10 perform elsewhere
than in washington.
Rep. oscar Z. Bland or Indiana is
a member Of one committee which
is on its way 10 Europe to investi-
gate"
Another committee is moving 20
the Pacific coast. Ito investigate"
Stiu another committee has pre-
pared its plans for a trip to Alaska
Ito investigate"
Every place seems to be popular
except Washington and the halls Of
congress.
Even among some Of the republic
can members there is joy that
Pres't Wilson halted the republican
leadership in the house and COM
PEELED abandonment OF the recess.
There would be just about as much
Joy among these same republicans
II by some methods the president
could stop the investigators" and
compel them 70 return 10 Washing
ton and investigate something in
which the average human being is
interested. the high cost Of living"
Therefore Great Politician
The president has been able usu-
ally to mprehend that which was
demanded most by the public. He
answered the demand and immedi-
ately got results. And Sen. Harry
s. New OF Indiana. therefore, con-
tends he is the greatest politician in
the world.
II Is not TO be denied now that
the president did get in touch with
public sentiment on the high cost Of
living much quicker than did the
republican leadership. In these
columns more than three weeks
ago. It was pointed out that the high
cost OF living was TO become one Of
the most important subjects before
congress. Ii ought TO have been
evident then in the congressional
halls as il is now Letters were
pouring into the offices Of members
Of congress and they were being ig-
nOred. Congress was disposed to
avoid the question. The leaders
feared they might be required to
perform some task which would be
dangerous TO their political ambi-
tionS. IL was far better, they con-
tended. 70 do nothing and see If the
situation would not correct itself.
Sensc6 Public Duty.
Then the president returned and
he had hardly cleared his desk Of
old business when he sensed a pub
lie demand for relief and also
sensed "A public duty. 1t did not
take him long 10 act
The republican leadership had
forced 2 recess program in the
house which would have taken them
out OF Washington for a month and
permitted them TO roam at will.
They would have enjoyed them
selves while the people continued
10 suffer without relief.
The presidents action in calling
upon the republican leadership to
Keep congress on the JOO mas pidCeu
the republicans in a bad situation.
And II they did not appreciate it,
they will have 10 admit they were
ignoring the thousands Of letters
which reached them every day. If
they did not appreciate il, they
were very poor appraisers of public
opinion.
Congress Must Act.
The next step is before them
They must do something 10 assist
the country in solving the problem.
The president is going TO help them.
He Intends 20 prepare specific rec
concentrations. In the meantime.
he il having his executive depart
ments afford what relief can be at
forded through sale OF surplus army
foodstuns and so on. OF course.
this program is temporary and the
relief viii he as temporary.
IL has been the cry Of congress
for two years and more now that
nothing was permitted 10 be done