The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1919-03-04
SOLONS KEEP
SENATE FROM ACTING UPON
MUCH-NEEDED LEGISLATION

hopeless, and the gavels ending
the Sixty-fifth congress actually
Among the bills that faileC
100000 for the railroad admin
administration leaders say the raj
owners before the middle OF Apr
Just before adjournment ?
office authorized final notice to t
to force an immediate extra sc
mistaken in his determination
work at the peace conference W;
Big bills that failed included
priation measures. Only two II
gantlet of the last 4S hours OF
Liberty loan bill and the billion
Adjournment marked the passing OF
Democratic control at the capitol Inc
congress that passed at noon began IN
April, 1917, with the German war deo-
laration, and It's almost continuous ses-
sions have been marked by unpreco-
dented legislation and controversy,
After congress adjourned, President
Wilson remained In his room greeting
visitors for 20 minutes II was an
nounced he would make recess appoint
ments at Hoboken tonight Of nominees
who failed of confirmation,
Instead OF going from the capitol to
his train the president drove back to
the White House for lunch, He left
New York early this afternoon.
Inability to secure an executive ses.
sion of the senate because Of the Re
publican filibuster caused failure OF
| scores OF nominations, including those
Of A, Mitchell Palmer, to be attorney
general, Comptroller OF Currency VIII
| Itams; Norman Hapgood, TO be major
general OF the army medical corps,
and OF many federal judges, attorneys,
| postmasters and other officials,
The fillbuster Of the group OF Re-
publcans working for an extra session
continued until the end, senator Sher-
man, who began q speech AT 7so am,
ttela stlkGAs fiaor more than aanF lloafH
land successfuily prevented further cone
sideratlon of the railroad appropriation.
While Senato tor Sherman was speak
! Ing, Senator, Jones, Of New Mexico.
sought unanimous consent to present Il
favorable report Of the woman suffrage
but the Illinois senator blocked his ef-
forts by refusing TO yield the floor,
| The last half hour OF the session
was spent by the, senate in roll calls
on a house resolution, to which amend
\ nients we're proposed providing for early
rehabilitation OF the army The resolu-
tion never reached q final vote, amend
ments being under consideration
when Vice President MarshaIrs gavol
dropped.
The senate adjourned In an uproar
of laughter when the vice president an
nounced the senate was adjourned sine
"deo" instead Of sine "die"
Half an hour before adjournment
President Wilson, who, with his cabir
net, was In the executives private room
off the senate chamber, signed the
| 81 200, 900 900 wheat guarantee measure
There was no further action in the
senate on the resolution offered last
night by Republican Leader Lodge and
signed by 38 Republican members Of
the next senate, opposing the league Of
nations in it's present form, The house
resolution urging the American peace
delegates TO make an effort for final
Irish Independence also died in the
senate
Failure Of the 100000 railroad
appropriation also carried with 1t other
appropriations In the general deficiency
bill, aEgreRatng S920o0,00O distributed
among many government departments
and including sac, 00O,O 900 for purchase
and reauisltion OF ships by the shipping
board
Death OF the railroad measure and
conferences between the president and
congressional leaders brought forth to-
day no definite sign Of the president s
plan Of, dealing with the railroads, al
though many senate leaders advised
the president to return the roads i'm -
mediatoly to private ownership,
Lodge Is Silent.
In declining to make statement rel
ative to the session just closed, Repuh-
lioan Leader Lodge Raid;
ut speaks for itself"
Great crowds thronged the capitol
as the session neared its close, The
senate furnished the special attraction,
owing to the flibuster, Many house
members also crowded the senate cham
Der in the closing hours, while the gal
leries were filled TO overflowing.
President Wilson said goodbye to
| White House officials and employees
at 1850 O'Clock today and drove to
the capitol to sign measures passed
during the closing hours OF congress
before leaving for New York on his
| way back to France
Secretaries Glass and Houston and
Secretary Tumulty accompanied the
president Other cabinet officers, in
Guiding Secretaries Daniels and Red
field Joined him in his private room Off
| the senate chamber.
There was no demonstration for the
president upon his arrival at the capi-
tol, side entrance being used. The
president appeared in fine humor rs
he greeted those about hts room.
Only two minor bills. for payment of
private pensions and claims, were ly-
ing on the presidents desk when he
arrived. This was the desk that Sena-
tor Vardaman, Of Mississippi, used as
an improvised couch during the long
night session.
Urge r. r. Release.
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 ana
urged that since the Republicans de-
feated the essential appropriation bill,
the railroads be returned to their own
ers forthwith.
The president gave none of his callers
any intlmatton of his plans regarding
the disposition OF the railroads. Some
senator's advised him to return them
Immediately to private ownership hut
the president received all advice with
| out comment.
Republican leaders decided to make