The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1916-1920, 1919-03-15
G. 0. P. MAKES PLANS
FOR NEW CONGRESS


COHttHhtu from FHob EuBO'
which It held prior to its entrance into
the war and which was improved under
great pressure and at enormous expense
In men, material and costly lessons
learned almost too late.
Suffrage for women occupies a promi-
nent place In the Republican programme.
So far as the House Republican ma
jority Is concerned the Susan B. An
thony amendment to the Constitution
will be introduced again almost as soon
as Congress gets together. and II is ex-
pected to pass the House. How the Sem
ate will treat II is a matter Of con-
lecture at this time because the count
for and against the amendment Is 80
close there that the switch of one vote
may carry the amendment through or
defeat It
The railroad problem will be tackled
by the Republicans as soon as the Con-
gress is called together. They are rely
ing on the Presidents promise to them
In December last that he would leave the
solution of the railroad problems to Con-
gress when he frankly confessed he was
not certain OF the proper course to pur-
sue That the roads will be turned back
In a period considerably less than the
I'VE years advocated by William G. Nc
Adoo, lately Director-General Of Rail-
roads, is certain, but the whole plan re-
mains still to be worked out in its essen
tial details.
Regulation of the packing industry
will be put up to the coming Congress
too. The suggestion was made to-day
by Representative Esch (Wis.) that he
would push a measure designed to put
refrigerator cars in the class OF common
carriers, and thus the regulatory powers
Of the Interstate Commerce Commission
will be restored to their original strength
at least by the Republican action on the
railroad situation. There is a growing
belief that this would be sufficient scope
for the proposed Government regulation
OF the meat packing industry rather than
going to the extremes suggested by the
Federal Trade Commission.
shipping Policy to BE shaped.
The shipping situation will receive
early attention II was promised by
Republican members of Congress to-day.
They are fairly disguised with the
drifting policy OF the Shipping Board
and intend to take the matter into the
hands Of Congress and provide for the
future policy Of the merchant marine
OF the United States through the en-
actment Of laws as early as possible.
or course the Ways and Means Com
mittee OF the House will start right in
to provide a sane measure for raising
revenue for the nation. They realize
that they have to pay not only the
extravagances of the Administration
but the legitimate war costs as well.
This means that lengthy hearings are
certain to be held and that the delibera-
tons will be protracted, The task this
committee will face possibly is the hard
est of any committee Of Congress.
A definite reconstruction programme
will be drawn up also and pushed
through the two branches of Congress
as fast as possible. The big bar to
speed Is expected in the Senate, where
In all probability the peace treaty with
Germany will be before the Senate
Foreign Relations Committee first and
then before the Senate for a long time
II the treaty is considered as a peace
treaty alone. not burdened with the in
tricate Wilson League Of Nations plan. II
has fair chances OF quick ratification at
the hands OF the Senate Indications
from abroad while the President has
been here and on his way back 10 France
have strongly indicated that the other
conferees at least have paid heed to the
Senate warning that the peace pact
would not be ratified with the League OF
Nations covenant woven into It,
However, some time during the session
this League Of Nations plan or another
like It will be placed before the Senate
and while It is under consideration other
business will be virtually at a standstill.
Early Action on Wire Control.
Another thing the Republicans will
have to deal with is return of the tele-
graph, cable and telephone lines to the
private companies owning them. Action
on this is expected to consist simply Of
refusing the request OF Postmaster Cen
eral Burleson that he be permitted to
continue to operate them until the end
OF the present calendar year. That Will
leave Government control OF the wire
systems in effect only until peace is
formally announced by the President.
or course there are certain to be any
number Of Investigations OF the manner
in which the Democrats have conducted
the business OF Government since they
took charge OF legislative reins, particu-
larly during and since the period Of
actual warfare In which America was
engaged These Investigations will have
the broadest scope and will reach into
the conduct of practically every
executive department. notably those
established for purely war purposes.
Another thing which the new Con-
gress Is planning to take up without
loss OF time ia the resembling Of the
enormously broad powers invested in the
executive branch OF the Government dur
ing the war TO which that part of the
nations governmental machinery has
chung tight and opposed any relnqush-
ment Congress under Republican
domination intends to retrieve the powers
1t gave up TO the President and his
subordinates during the pressure of war
emer&sso[ md prtsAso[ o~se4ent gen
orally back on an ante-bellum basis so
far as 1t lies In CONGRESSES power to do