The Oklahoma City times. [volume] (Oklahoma City, Okla.) 1908-1984, 1919-03-04
Senator Sherman Talks Ap-
preparation Bill to Death in
Closing Hours Of Historic
War Congress,
MANY BIG MEASURES DIE
Administration Without Funds
to Run Roads After April,
CIaimi Democrats Advise
Prompt Return 10 Owners.

wy Inc Associated Press
WASHINGTON. March 4-Con.
grc'S adjourned at noon today IN the
midst oi republican iilibu,,ef in tte
senate that killed long list Of i'm
poriant measure
Among the bill, that failed wa, one
appropflat'ng S50OcOOOO for the rail
rpat administration. without which
some administration leaders say the
railroads must be returned 10 their
owners before the middle Of April
The iilibusier OF the group of re-
pubican' working for an extra ses-
sion continued until the end Sena.
tor sherman OF Illinois. republican,
who began a speech at J 20 a. m. held
the iloor more than four hours and
successfully prevented further con.
Nderaiion OF the TS0,OOO0O0 railroad
appropriation
Army Bill Dies.
The last hall hour OF the setsior
VS. spent by the senate in roll call,
on house resolution to which
. amendments were proposed providing
'or early dsmoh.lzaiion nf the Ameri.
can army The resolution never
reached final vote. amendment, be-
my under consideration when Vice
rresiden, Marshalls final gayel
dropped.
The 1nate adjourned in an uproar
and laughter when the vice pre,ident
announced that the senate wa, ad.
jouTned sine do" instead Of Sine
die"
Some Spolc,weu OF the admins.
tratlon said failure OF this measure
necessarily would mean almo,, i'm.
mediate return Of the railroads to
t'eir owners, because the government,
could not retain and finance them
without the appropriation.
Funds Exhausted.
H} 'nc middle of April. il was said
lhr railroad 2iministrations nres,p,
'vhd, would be exhausted and or,v
an extra session before then could
make !, possible TO continue gov
ernmeut operation OF the roads pend
'ng remedial legislation which all in.
tercStS have urged
mere was no ,urnin- baek NJ
CLOCKS. Democratic leaders realized
the situation was hopeless and the
saVeIs ending the long great war ses.'
SION and the siNty-fiith congress ac,u.
ally tapped at noon.
Wilson Won't Yield.
lust before adjournment President
wilson, IN his capitol office. author
yea ilnal notice 10 the republicans
mat their efforts 20 force an immc.
date extra session had failed. that he
was mistaken 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 al noon began
IN April 1917, passed the German war
declaration, and is almost continuous
session, have been marked by un-
preeedcu,ed legislation and con-
| trovcrSy.
Bills that failed included both the
army and navy appropriation meas
ureS, The only two important meas.
ures that ran the gauntlet OF the last
iorty-clght hours OF filibus,efing were
the Victory loan bill and the billion
dollar wheat guarantee bill.
Alter Democratic Leader Martin
had told him the railroad bill could
no, pass, the president authorized Mr..
Martin 10 announce that under no cir
cumstauccs would he change his plan,
to postpone the calling of the new con-
gresS until his return from France.
After this conversation, Senator
Martin announced that the general
deficiency bill would be kept before
the senate either until passed or until
the session expired
Prompt Action Urged.
The president gave none of hi,
callers any in,ima,ion OF his plans re.
garding the disposition OF the rail.
roads. Some senator's advised him "a
return them Immediately to private
ownership but the president received
all advice without comment.
Senator Smith of South Carolina,
chairman Of the interstate commerce
committee, and Senator Overman oil
North Carolina. were among those
who went to the presidents office aa1
urged that since the Republicans ha6
defeated the essential appsooetAtleo
bill the railroads BE- returned 10 th4is
owners forthwith.
After congress had sdjesrned. prss.
ident Wilaor remained n NJ roo