Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1919-03-04

SENAIE, I'll
sion had failed that he was unshaken
In his determination not to call Congress
until his work at the Peace Conference
was done.
Adjournment marks the passing OF
Democratic control at the Capitol. The
Congress that passed at noon began In
April. 1917, passed the German war
declaration, and its almost continuous
sessions have been marked by unprcce-
dented legislation and controversy.
Big bills that failed included both
the army and navy appropriation meas
ures. Only two important measures
that ran the gauntlet Of the last forty
eight hours OF filibustering were the
Victory Liberty Loan bill and the billion
nouar wheat guarantee bill
After Congress adjourned President
wilson remained in his room twenty
minutes greeting visitors 1t was an
nounced he would make recess appoint
ments at Hoboken tonight Of nominees
who failed OF confirmation
Instead OF going from the capitol 10
his train the President drove back to the
White House for lunch. II was under
stood he would leave for New York be-
fore 2 p. m.
Gore Motion Fails
After Senator sherman closed his
four-hour speech, insistence by Senator
Gore, of Oklahoma, Democrat, that tho,
Senate act on his proposal to order de-
mobilization of all drafted sold,e 10
this country within thirty DAYS unex-
pectedly complicated the legislative sit
uation half hour before the end Of
the session.
motion by Senator Plttmau. Of
Nevada, TO table the Gore amendment,
was defeated by a vote Of as to 3S
BY vote OF ~ to 40, the Senate, upon
the motion OF Senator Smoot. Of Utah
Republican. tabled an amendment pre-
sented by Senator Trammen. Of Florida
Democrat. making the period OF time
sixty instead Of thirty days as provided
by Senator Gore.
The bill and the Gore amendment
died with the adjournment Of Congress
at noon.
President Remains Firm
There was hope among the RepubIi-
cans early today that President Wilson
could be forced to call the new Congress
but after a conference between the presi-
dent and Democratic Leader Martin, It
was stated Mr.. Wilson had reiterated his
determination 10 have no extra session
before his return from France
After this conversation. Senator
Martin announced that the general de-
fciency bill would be kept before the
Senate either until passed or until the
session expired.
The President gave none Of his call
ers any intimaton of his plans regard
ing the disposition Of the railroads. Some
,I,.tR
Immediately to private ownership, hut
the President received all advice with
out comment.
Senator Smith Of South Carolina.
chairman Of the Interstate Commerce
Committee, and Senator Overman, Of
North Carolina. were among those who
went to the Presidents office and urged
that, since the Republicans had defeated
the essential Appropriation bill the rail
roads be returned TO their owners forth
with.
After adopting the resolution express
ing the hope hat the Peace Conference
would look with favor on the claims
of Ireland for self-determination, the
House at : o'clock recessed for two
hours in respect to Representative Helm.
of Kentucky, who died Sunday.
FiIlbuster in senate
The flibuster in the Senate against .
the general deficiency bill carrying an
appropriation for the railroad admins |
tration was conducted through the night |
by Senators La Toilette. Of Wisconsin |
France, Of Maryland and Sherman. OF
Illinois
Senator La Toilette took the floor soon
after Senator Lodge had presented his
resolution and spoke for four hours,
concluding at 5.l5 O'Clock. He was fol-
lowed by Senator France, who spoke
for two hours. and at 7:30 o'clock Sem
ator Sherman began an extended ad-
dress.
After falling 10 obtain the floor during
the night, Senator Thomas Of Colorado
Democrat issued a statement, in which
he criticized the "antiquated and pre-
posterous rules which made the major.
ity in the Senate entirely subjecr 10
the will Of the minority
Democrats In Protest
What goes by the name Of debate"
said the Senator, can proceed without
limit and when. seasonably interspersed
with roll calls, two or three flibusterlug
Senators can parayze its legislative
functions. Hence the Senate. for the
last three days. has done nothing bur
listen to multltudnous words The
spectacle is humilatng one"
Senator Thomas declared that, after
similar experience two years ego, the
Senate changed its rule but added: The
amendment is as worthless for the pur-
pose as the rule 1t purports to change"
Senator La Toilette, urged an imme-
diate extra session Of Congress and
vigorously criticized President Wilson for
falling to consult with the senate in con-
Quoting the peace negotiations. "A plain
violation OF the constitution" Mr. La
Follettee asserted.
Senator La Toilette said the presi-
dent, IL he failed to call special ses-
sion of Congress Immediately would be
following the example OF the imperial
autocrats" in Europe who refused free
dom OF expression TO legislative bodies
during the war
Crowded galleries followed proceeding
in both houses until well s'ter midnight.
and hundreds OF the SPECTATORS remained
in their seats this morning, evidently in
tending to be present when the final
gavels fell at noon. Early today the
galleries filled rapidly until standing
room was at a premium. 1t was said
that never before had there been such
a large attendance at a closing session
The general deficiency bill, including
$3.50, 100000 for the railroad adminlstra-
tion revolving fund. was the measure
against which the minority filibuster
was aimed, but Republican leaders said
Il would be passed finally as their pur-
pose simply was to prevent action on