Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1919-02-26
PRESIDENT
28 BILLS IN
Time
Announcement AppIauded in
House; viii Not Call Ex-
ira Session Until Re-
turn from Europe.

Washington. Feb. 25.-On the first
day OF his return to the capital,
President Wilson put in more than
10 hours at his desk, signing 28 bills
and joint resolutions, making
score of nominations, discussing
government business for three hours
with his cabinet and winding up the
days work by conference on the
legislative situation with democratic
Leader Martin, at which the presi-
dent announced his decision not to
call an extra session of congress
until after his return from Europe.
Altogether it was one of the bus
lest days in recent years at the
White House. President Wilson re-
sumed work with rush, surprising
executive office attaches by being at
his desk when they reported this
morning. From then on there was
ceaseless hustle everywhere, clicking
of typewriters, scurrying of messen-
gers, and arrivals of callers, few of
whom saw the chief executive.
House Applauds Message.
A message from President Wilson
announcing his approval of 28 bills
and joint resolutions passed by con-
gress and accumulated during his
absence overseas, was the signal for
demonstration late today in the
house.
When the White House messen-
ger was announced, democratic
members started applauding and
cheering and many republicans join
ed in the demonstration which con-
tinued several minutes while the
presidents messenger stood smiling
and blushing.
OF the bills signed by the presi-
dent, the most important were the
war revenue measure and the bill
appropriating $l00000,000 for Euro
pean food relief.
Extra Session Deferred.
President Wilson will not call an
extra session of congress until after
his return from Europe.
Senator Martin of Virginia, demo-
cratic leader in the senate, made
this announcement tonight after
conference with, the president at the
White House. While the president
did not state when he expected to
reach home after his second trip
overseas, Senator Martin gave it as
his personal opinion that it would
not likely be earlier than June /.
President Wilson was said to feel
it his duty to remain in Europe until
the treaty of peace was concluded.
Win Leave Next Week.
"T'he president said he would re-
turn to Paris Immediately after
March 4, and was positive he would
not call an extraordinary session of
congress until he. returns, Senator
Martin said He did not state the
date of his return, nor did he au-
thorize me to quote lin respect to
that point, but my personal opinion
and Judgment is that there is no
reasonable expectation of his being
back prior to June ]"
Senator Martin was accompanied
to the White House by Senator
Simmons Of North Carolina, chair
man of the finance committee. They
conferred for nearly an hour with
the executive, discussing IN detail
the congestion of legislation IN con-
gress.
Further than the formal statement
| of the democratic leader, both se1la-
1 tors declined to comment on their
discussions with. the president, but
it was understood the executive
would insist all pending appropria-
ton bills and other urgent legisla-
ton be enacted before congress adj
iourns next Tuesday to provide for
operation of the government in the
event his work at Paris should Hold
him after July = when the new ap-
preparations would be needed.
Will Blame Republicans.
II was reported that failure Of any
of the mass of urgent legislation
| would be charged by the president
and administration leaders to the
republicans. Mr.. Wilson was said
to have been advised that except
/ for republican, opposition the present
situation was such all appropriation
and other bills could be passed. The
president was reported ready to ad-
wise the country of the situation and
insist upon enactment of all urgent
measures.
The presidents decision added to-
| night to the uncertainty of events
/ during the closing days of congress.
| Republican leaders, were said to be
4 ready to disclaim responsibility for
failure OF legislation on the ground
that enactment of all the mass OF
money and other bills in the remain
| ing working days was impossible
with continuous debate scheduled
daily on the proposed constitution
of the league of nations.
Meets Committees Tonight.
Nomination Of an attorney gen.
eral and an address to congress
were two questions said by White
House officials to be relegated 70
the background for the present.
Continued on Page Two. Column sikh