The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1919-03-04
SESSIONS ENDED
PROMPTLY AT NOON
Republican Filibuster in the
Senate Killed a Long List
of Important Measures,
Including Railroad Ap-
preparation.

Washington, D. c., March 4.--Congress
adjourned at noon to-day in the midst Of
Republican flibuster in the Senate that
killed long list of important measures,
Among the bills that failed was one
appropriating $75Q,OOO,OOO for the rail-
road administration, without which some
administration leaders say the railroads
must be returned to their owners before
the middle of April,
There was no turning back of clocks
Democratic leaders realized the situation
was hopeless, and the gayels ending the
long, great war session and the 65th Con-
gress tapped at noon. just before ad-
journment, President Wilson in his Cap
itol office authorized final notice to the
Republicans that their efforts to force an
immediate session had failed; that he
was mistaken in his determination not
to call Congress until his work at the
peace conference was done
Adjournment marks the passing of
Democratic control at the Capitol The
Congress that passed at noon began in
April, 1917, passed the German war dec
laration and its almost continuous ses-
sions have been marked by unprecedent-
ed legislation and controversy.
Big bills that failed included both the
army and navy appropriation measures.
The only two important measures that
ran the gauntlet of the last As hours of
fllibustering were the Victory Liberty
loan and the billiOn-dollar wheat guaran.
tee bill.
The flibuster of the group of RepubH-
cans working for an extra session con-
tinued until the end. Senator Sherman
of Illinois, Republican, who began a
speech at 1880 a. M, held the floor more
than four hours and prevented further
consideration Of the railroad appropria-
, tion.
The last half hour of the session was
spent by the Senate in roll calls on a
House resolution to which amendments
were proposed providing for early de-
mobilization of the American army. The
| resolution never reached a final vote,
amendments being under consideration
when Vice President Marshalls final ga O.
vel dropped.
The Senate adjourned in an uproar of
laughter when the vice-presidcnt an.
nOunced that the Senate was adjourned
sine "deo" instead of sine die" Half
an hour before adjournment President
Wilson, who, with his cabinet, was in the
| executives private room off the Senate
chamber, signed the O0O,000,OO0 wheat
| guarantee measure.
There was no further action in the
Senate on the resolution offered last
night by Republican Leader Lodge and
| signed by 3S Republican members of the
next Senate, opposing the league of ma
tions in its present form, The House
resolution urging the American peace
delegates to make an effort for Irish in
| dependence also died in the Senate.
Failure Of the S750000,000 railroad ap-
preparation also carried with it other ap-
| preparations in the general deficiency
BILL aggregating 100000, distributed
among many government departments,
and including $3000O,0O0 for purchase
and requisition of ships by the shipping
/ board.
| Death of the railroad measure and con
ferences between the president with con
| gressional leaders to-day brought forth
no definite sign of the presidents plan of
dealing with the railroads, although
many Senate leaders advised the presi-
dent to return the railroads immediately
to the owners.
| When adjournment came, there was
pending House resolution providing ad-
ditional money for representatives.
clerks and secretaries, to which Senator
| Gore of Oklahoma had added an amend
ment to direct rehabilitation of all the
drafted soldiers in the United States
within 80 days.
| Senator Lewis endeavored near noon ia
introduce another amendment expressing
the wish of the Senate that the presi-
dent would have safe journey and
safe return and providing that the "Sen.
ate earnestly approves all proper eff.
forts of the president to effect a league
of peace that can bring an arrangement
guaranteeing the tranquility of nations
and the mutual friendship of the world
After it was read, Vice President Mar.
shall ruled it out of order.