Norwich bulletin., 1919-10-28
WASHINGTON AFFAIRS
Especial to The Bulletin.)

aSnlnStOn, D. c., Oct 27.-AS the end of the extra session draws near l one of the biggest problems to be l solved by congress is the plan under which railroads are to be turned back from government to private control i The interstate commerce committee of l the house is still working on a plan covering transportation. rates divi- dends and labor conditions. Without 1 adequate transportation the com 1 merce of the country would come to | a standstill and in the midst of the question of turning back the roads 1 comes the threatened strike affecting l all industries. It's a knotty problem l that faces congress and if the matter comes before it at this session it is doubtful if it can be worked out to finish before the regular session be- | ginning December first. The senate is working overtime on the treaty and would not be likely to take up the rail- road bill till December even if the house acted on it. Some time ago the president stated his intention to re- turn the roads to private management Jan. l. 1920. but doubts are expressed if he would take that step if congress found itself unable to meet the situa- tion on that date. on account of tKe necessary time spent in discussing the peace treaty. However that may be congress will act at the earliest possi- ble date. Congressman Merritt of Connecticut is 8 member of the inter- state commerce committee, which is member of the interstate commerce committee, which is regarded as one of the most important in congress. It is seldom first-termer gets an as- signment to either the ways and means or the interstate commerce and it is a high tribute to MT. Merritt's repu ton as business man that he was placed on that committee. while many old-tiners were clarnoring vain ly for the assignment. The committee expects to report out the bill this month but beyond that nothing is def- nite although it is likely to be debated and perhaps passed by the house, and then wait until December for action
 by the senate.
 State and local interests are now in the background and not until next session are they likely to be brought up for consideration. There is a pros pect of a short adjournment between sessions, but like many other congress sional matters, it is still problemati- cal The session which opens De- cember first is the socalled long ses- sion and is indeterminate in it's length, usually lasting far into the fall. The fact that 1920 Us a presidential year with national ventions to De held in June may shorten the session. for the outlook is towards a croD of pres idential candidates gathered from the halls of congress. There is seeming ly no change in the condition of the president and anxiety in his behalf has not lessened. What will happen to
 
 undergo extreme changes from the shape in which it was presented to the senate is another vexed question bear
 .trongly on the condition of the president. Without his strong hand and determined action the administra- tion leaders are like a ship without rudder, or compass. They know neitn- CT in what direction to steer nor have they any steering gear. They seem to be simply drifting while waiting for something to turn up'' and in the meantime are keeping up the appear yance of a game fight. As a fact. they cannot win out and the only question seems to be whether they shall defeat the treaty or let it take it's course of ratification with the eteff reservations framed by the foreign relations com mittee. The latter looks the most probable at this moment as without presidential instructions Floor Leader Hitchcock would hesitate to assume such grave responsibility. Few, if any, sena tors, believe the president will be able to take a hand in the mat ter by the time the treaty is acted up on. which will be in a few weeks.
 Every we'll" said Mrs. Tilson, wife of the congressman from the Third Con necticut Congressional district then will take the school today as she calmly faced unruly little crowd of romping frQEicking children in one of WashingtorFs public schools where the l teacher had failed to show up and the
 
 life in sudden and unrestrained free 1 dom Whereupon Mrs. Tilson took off | her hat, stepped to the desk and open | ed the school. It happened a few i mornings ago and in this way: Mrs | TiIson, who is a Smith College grad ! uate, had taken two of her little chill 1 dren by the hand and led them to the | school where they were about to be ] entered as pupils, but found no teach l CT. Unfortunately Washington has an a lar n Shnrt1pa of Sch0O1hOuSRS and l of tea chers, brought about by the tre- 1 mendouS rise in it's population owing | to the influx of war workers and l their families. Overflow schools have l been established in many districts but | the shortage in teachers is so great | that sometimes embarrassing results l follow. In this case Mrs. Tilson met l the situation by restoring order, teach l ing the classes all day showing her l own kiddies that 'mother could do 1 anything even under strange circum- | stances and won for herself the thanks | of the school authorities of Washing 1 ton as well.
 Senator MceLan, as chairman of the | committee on banking and currency | ended a long seige of arduous hearings when the committee report | ed through him. an adverse report on 1 the confirmation of John Skelton Will | States treasury. The appointment has been under fire by the senate for many | 
 Senator Brandegee continues to lead the senate forces who are against any thing short of the most complete pro- lection of the interests of the United | States if a league of nations is ac- cepted by the senate. Not long ago | MT. Brandegee announced he would l vote for every amendment and every l reservation and then vote against the treaty as whole, characterizing it as | a centrivance which would blow up under the first pressure And, in this | point of view he has many followers in l the senate although they may be less foorleSS in exnreaSino