Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1919-05-22

gress was read separately in the senate
md House to-day by clerks and arrange
ments were made by congressional lead
ers for immediate consideration OF the
vast legislative program with the equal
suffrage resolution to come up tomorrow
in the House.
Major recommendations of the Presi-
dent were for early return to private
ownership of railroads, telegraphs and
telephones, for repeal of wartime pro-
hibition insofar as applying to beer and
wines, for woman suffrage, retaliatory
tariffs, protection of the dyestuffs in
dustry and labor and employment meas
ures. The President announced his inten-
ton to turn back the railroads at the
end of the calendar year.
Republican leaders met the Presidents
proposals for early return of public
utilities by statements that such legisla-
ton already was planned. AS to the pro-
hibition recommendation both republican
and democratic dry" leaders joined in
vigorous statements dissenting from the
Presidents suggestions and predicting
that no beer and wine repeal would be
passed. Opinion in both Senate and House
as ascertained by leaders was general
that the ban on beer and wine would not
be lifted.
Presentation of the Presidents mes
sage-the first ever transmitted to this
country by cable--was the principal bust
ness of to-day's session. Neither the
Senate nor House were in session much
more than an hour, the former adjourn
ing until next Friday and the House
until tomorrow. Before the Presidents
message was read, the House arranged
to take up tomorrow the woman suf
fro n6 hnf
adjournment is planned. Senate leaders
have promised prompt action in the upper
body, probably early next month.
The flood OF bills and resolutions opened
in the Senate to-day while scores more
were thrown into the House hopper
which yesterday received about Zoo.
l The principal measures in the Senate
asked for copies of the peace treaty, for
definition of the American policy in
Russia, adoption of woman suffrage,
establishment Of a federal budget sys-
tenn and repeal of the luxury taxes and
the daylight saving law. All were re-
ferred to committees, democratic sena-
tors objecting to all requests for i'm
mediate consideration.
Republican plans for many investiga-
tons were launched in resolution by
Chairman Greene of the House merchant
marine committee proposing inquiry into
operations Of the Shipping Board and
Emergenc Fleet Corporation. Repre-
sentative Welty Of Ohio asked for an
investigation by non-partisan commit
tee on irregular and unlawful expendi-
lures"
Organization Of Senate and House was
pushed forward to-day at committee
conference of House republicans. a meet
ing of the republican steering committee
with Speaker Gillett and an initial meet
ing of the republican senator's committee
on committees. The democratic senator's
steering committee will meet tomorrow to
consider minority changes.
On the recommendations in the Presi-
dents message, those for return to pri-
vate ownership Of railroads and wires and
repeal of wartime prohibition against
beer and wines drew most comment from
congressional leaders. 1t was agreed.
that legislation dealing with the public
utilities virtually is assured at the present
session. Leaders also were interested In
the Presidents statement that IL he was
familiar with administrative questions
affecting telegraph and telephone systems
he could name the exact date for their
return also"
In, proposing the beer and wine repeal
bilization of the military forces.
has proceeded to such point that 1t
seems to me entirely safe now to remove
the ban upon manufacture and sele OF
wines and beers" Legislation is neces-
sary to remove the prohibition provisions,
the President said he had been Informed
by his legal advisers.
Senators Sheppard of Texas. democrat
and Representative Randall of Califor-
MIA, prohbitionist, champions Of the war
time dry law, and other prohibition
advocates, issued statements announcing
determined opposition to repeal legisla-
ton. They declared a large majority OF
Congress favors prohibition and pre-
dicted the repeal measure would not be
enacted. Some republican leaders
charged the President with shifting re.
sponsibility to the republican Congress
and said that all he would gain would
be criticism Of prohibitionists.
Washington. May 2O.-President Wilson
In his message to Congress to-day, recon-
mended repeal of the wartime prohibition
law--so far as 1t applies to wine and beel
only announced definitely that he raj
systems and telegraph and telephone
lines would be returned to private owner
ship; urged a revision OF war taxes
particularly to abolish the manufacturer
and retail sales excess and outlined gen
orally a program respecting labor.
These were the high spots of thu
Presidents message cabled from Paris
Besides that he again urged enactmen
Of the woman suffrage constitutions
amendment; recommended that the tarif
laws be supplied with teeth to protec
American industry against foreign at
tack. spoke for legislation to faciliat
American enterprise through the expan
sion of shipping. and backed Secretar,
Lanes program for land for returning
soldiers
OF the Paris peace conference and tn
League OF Nations the President merel
said 1t would be premature to discuss then
= or express judgment. He also avode
discuss of the domestic legislation a
length because of his long absence fror
Washington.
UNIQUE DOCUMENT
Congress heard an unique document
the only one of its kind ever transmitte
across the ocean from n president on
foreign shore. For the first time in 81