New-York tribune., 1919-03-10
Chairman Cummings Asserts
Senate Filibuster Has
CurbedMany Departments
Extra Session Not Needed
Admits Necessity of All
Measures and Declares
That Time Was Plentiful
.Neao York Trtbuns
EoL oto,, p,,Y,,.,

w NASHlNGIUN, March 9.-Republl-
cans who flibustered against legisla-
ton at the close of the 65th Congress $
are charged with an attempt to cripple
the government and prevent the Presi-
dents return to the Paris conferences
in a statement issued here to- night by
Homer s. Cummings, chairman of the
Democratic National Committee, in
which Secretary of War Baker is quoted
as saying that the faifrre Of the army
appropriation bill viii compel the War
Department to retain in the service a
number Of men who would otherwise
have been demobilized. The statement
reads:
"Defeat Of departmental appropria-
tions and important fiscal measures
through Republican fiibustcr in the
Senate delays and hampers reconstruc-
tion at the moment when the country's
industrial and commercial interests
were reviving from the effects Of the
war, retards demobilzation of troops,
prevents the organization of a regular
army to replace men overseas, deprives
the railroad administration Of funds
for repairs and improvements, checks
the employment Of labor and the alb
sorption of materials in naval military
and general construction, and mpairs
business confidence.
Says Dcmobilization Hindered
"Secretary Baker says the failure of
appropriations for the War Depart
ment hindcrs its plans for demobiliza-
ton.
"'The greatest regret which l have
about 1t Is that number of men will
have to be retained in the service
whom we were rather anxious to de-
mobilzc.' Mr. Baker says. The bill
proposed the formation of regular
army of 100000 men By enlistng
these 100000 and getting going we
would have had troops to replace those
whom we viii otherwise have to keep
II the bill had passed we could have
started at once to organize this body
of men and withdraw the temporary
members of the army who are, of
course, anxious to get away
"One of the results of this success
full opposition to vital legislation will
ne felt by practically every man and
woman in the tax Of 10 per cent on
the sale of semi -luxuries. The Demo
Gratis attempted to repeal this pro
VISION OF the revenue act. but the fill
buster made this impossible
Give Faint Idea of Harm
"Some faint idea of the harmful con-
sequences Of this filibuster to the
business of the government and the
welfare of the people, including sol
diers and workers. may be gained from
mere mentiop of the total of the ap-
preparations which were killed. Their
aggregate was SO 5000 900, coo. A bet
ter appreciation Of their necessity and
importance to the government and the
general public at time when some
stimulus to business and industry is
requisite Will be obtained from state
ment OF their purposes
The army appropriations Of $1,23S,-
2S2,967 were needed by the War De-
partmcnt to continue its provision for
the American forces overseas and to
hasten the return of the soldiers to
peaceful pursuits, as Secretary Baker
has pointed out. These appropria-
tons represented also a large credit
Tor the purchase Of materials and sup
plies and the employment of labor.
The naval appropriations included
S5,OO0,OO0 for the bureau of medicine
and surgery. Secretary Daniels says
the defeat OF the emergency deficiency
bllla has created serious situation
and made a hard job harder
Point to Deficiency Bill
"The general deficiency bill provid-
ed an appropriation of $750,0OO. 900.
winch had been requested by the rail
road administration as an addition to
its revolving fund for the compensa-
ton Of the carriers and for improve
ments and betterments.
Among the items in this bill was
one for $l,800,000 for the maintenance
OF the United States Employment Ser
wee, which has been placing return
ing soldiers and other workers at the
rate of 100000 a month. The regis
tratlon officers of the employment ser
vice at the rehabilitation camps will
have to be discontinued Authoriza-
ton for the work and expenditures of
the War Labor Board also was con
tanned in this bill.
THE sundry civil bill, carrying ap
preparations of 81 l122,919, ,735, affects
many departments. 1t provided $500.
100000 for the shipping board and
funds necessary for the operation Of
various departments, which will now
be greatly handicapped
Stopped Land Development
"The soldiers settlement bill. which
contemplated the eclamaton of lands
as homesteads for returning soldiers.
was defeated along with the rest. This
measure would have made it possible
to establish thousands Of soldiers and
sailors IN homes in the rural districts
who're they could support themselves
and their dependents.
THE general leasing bill was one Of
the measures which the Administration
had favored aud fostered for several
years. Under its provisions 100000
600 acres Of public lands would be
leased for Development This land
comprises 365 100000 acres of forest
reserves, 70,000000 acres Of coal lands
100000 acres of phosphate lands and
100000 acres of oil lands.
"The waterpower bill was lost after
six years of hard work. President
Wilson took deep interest in this
measure. Two years ago he called
members of the Senate and House into
conference and prevailed on them to
appoint special committee and frame
suitable bill to develop the water
power resources Of the country and
safeguard the public interest. The
measure failed in the very last stage
of its passage.
"The Republicans therefore sought
to cripple the government, force an
extra session of Congress and prevent
the Presidents return to Paris. solelv
50 that they might promote their par
tisan purposes and embarrass the
Pros iIoct Orl,, +h;,