Atlanta tri-weekly journal. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1920-19??, 1920-06-05
ADJOURNMENT Of
CONGRESS SEEN As
BLOW To c. D. P.
Lawrence Says Republicans
Have Played Into Hands of
White House by Leaving
National Capital
BY DAVID LAWRENCE

Copyright, 1920, for The Atlanta Journal
WASHINGTON, June 4-Whether
or. not the Republican party in con-
troll of both houses of congress mas
made a mistake in deciding to adj
journ for the remainder of the sum-
mer and autumn and leaving I'M
touched plenty of measures which
were recommended for passage by
the executive, is something that will
be threshed out in the political cam
paign, but certainly the Republicans
have played into the hands of the
White House in betaking themselves
from the national capital and leav-
ing the president free from embar-
RAISING resolutions and so-ca1led
"pop-gun" bills, as proposals are
called that are merely put up to a
president to be vetoed.
Mr.. Wilson is never happy with
congress in session and the depar-
ture of even the two houses when
the Democrats were in control occa-
stoned signs of relief at the White
House. But this time the Repub-
licans have kept UP a constant bonn
bardment, either by Investigations
through scores of committees or vex-
ing resolutions of inquiry about mat
tiers Of foreign policy. Mr.. Wilson
will certainly not call congress into
special session unless some grave
emergency" arises, so Washington
will be free from congressional &C
tivity until next December.
From a publicity viewpoint, the
Republicans are not pursuing the
same tactics as they did in the last
elections in 1918. Then it was de-
cided, that the halls of congress
afforded a better forum than the
cities and towns themselves. Of
course, a speech in congress denounc-
ing something or exposing some move
on the part of the opposing politi-
cal party is privileged and is bound
to attract more attention than the
usual run of campaign speeches.
There were more chances for the
Republicans to keep their Democratic
colleagues on the jump by remaining
Democratic Preparations
The Democrats are preparing, on
the other hand, to go before the coun-
try with catalog of public busi-
ness left undone, the principal item
of which is the treaty of Versailles
Congress departs with the country in
state of war so far as international
relations are concerned.
The Republicans, nevertheless, be-
lieve they can best use their time
and energies out in the country en-
phasizing the arbitrary tactics of
the executive as the reason for the
continuance of a state of war. They
will insist that nothing constructive
along the lines. of Republican doc
trine could be accomplished with a
Democratic president in possession
of the veto power and that the only
remedy lies in the election Of Re-
publican so that the party may be
in complete and harmonious control
of all branches of the government.
The decision to adjourn was not
without embarrassment to the Repub-
licans whose membership in the SEN
definite cleavage between conserva-
tives and radicals. The latter are
in the minority but they can always
combine with the Democrats and
cause trouble. Radical Republicans
for instance, wanted congress to
or jo cncefnn foJy e+o ~
curb profiteering and keep on in
vestigating campaign expenditures.
Campaign on in Earnest
The Democrats are anxious to have
the campaign under perpetual in
vestigation believing that the bulk
Of the funds have been collected OF
will be collected by the Republicans
But the conservative Republicans
have had enough troubles with their
radical minority. Senator Lodge has
had his hands full from the begin
ming keeping the Republican party
togeth-' in the senate. Considering
the fact that he has had only a mar
gin of two or three votes to deal
with, the Massa chusetts leader car
look retrospectively with a good deal
Of satisfaction, for in most instances
he kept the party together.
To have stayed in session, it was
contended by some conservatives
might have meant a loss of contro
by Senator Lodge Of his leadership
for if the radical Republicans should
be disappointed by the Republican
national convention either in the Sc
lection Of a candidate or the draft
ing of the various planks of the party
| platform, the capacity of the radica
| Republicans for political mischief i'll.
side the ranks is less with congress
| in adjournment than in session.
Taken all in all, the adjournment
| of congress means that both parties
have suspended public business fol
| the next six months and that the
presidential and congressional cam
paign of 1920, has begun in earnest
American foreign policy remains I'M
! defined until the outcome of the
! November elections is known. Do,
nestle legislation, especially the
much talkd-of changes in the tan
laws and the much-mooted soldier
| bonus, have all been lost in the
shuttle. Both parties confidently &c
| forth to decide the deadlock which
! has existed since November, 1918
between the executive and Legislative
| branches of our government,