The news scimitar. (Memphis, Tenn.) 1907-1926, 1920-06-05
CONGRESS PLAYS
WILSON'S GAME
BY ADJOURNINC
David Lawrence Says Action
Relieves President of En-
barraSSing Resolutions and
"Pop-Gun" Bills.
BY DAVID LAWRENCE.
Especial Correspondent Of The New,


WASHINGTON, June 5.--Whether or
not the Republican party, in control
OF both houses of congress, has made
a mistake in deciding to adjourn for
the remainder of the summer and au-
tumn, and leaving untouched plenty of
measures which were recommended for
passage by the executive, is something
that will be threshed out in the po-
litical campaign, but, certainly the Re
publicans have played into the hands OF
the White House in betaking them
selves from the national capital and
leaving the president free from en-
harTassing resolutions rii,a and soIcalled
called that are merely put up to a
president to be vetoed.
Mr. Wilson is never happy with
congress in session, and the departure
Of even the two houses when the
House. But this time the Repub-
licans have kept up a constant bonn
bardment either. by Investigations
through ihr rsho,,, scores of committees or yex--
matters. of foreign policy. ' Mr.. VIII
son will certainly not call congress
into special session unless some
grave emergency arises so Wash
ington will be free from congress
sional activity until next December.
From publicity viewpoint, the
Republicans are not pursuing the same
TACTICS as they did in the last eIec-
tons in 1913. Then, it was decided that
the nails of congress afforded a better
forum than the cities and towns them
selves. or course, a speech in eon-
gress denouncing something or exposing
some move on the part of the oppos-
ing political party is privileged and is
bound to attract more attention than
4 the usual run of campaign speeches.
There were more chances for the Re-
publicans to keep their Democratic
colleagues on the jump by remaining
in session than by adjourning.
Democratic Preparations.
The Democrats are preparing, on the
other hand, to go before the country
with a catalogue of public business
left undone, the principal item Of which
is the treaty of Versailles.
Congress departs with the country
in state of war so far as interna-
tional relations are concerned. The
Republicans, nevertheless, believe they
can best use their time and energies
out in the country emphasizing the
arbitrary tactics of the executive as
state of war.
They will insist that nothing con-
structive along the lines of Republican
doctrine could be accomplished with
Democratic president in possession OF
the veto power and that the only remedy
lies in the election of a Republican
president so that the party may be in
complete and harmonious control OF
all branches of the government.
The decision to adjourn was not with
out embarrassment to the Republicans
whose membership in the senate is TAX
ing on more and more definite cleaV-
age between conservatives and radicals
The latter are in the minority but they
can always combine with the Democrat Is
and cause trouble.
The radical Republicans, for instance
wanted congress to stay in session and
take steps to curb profiteering and keeI
on investigating campaign expenditures
The Democrats are anxious to have
The campaign under perpetual investiga-
zion, believing that the bulk of the
funds have been collected or will be
collected by the Republicans. But the
conservative Republicans have had
enough troubles with their radical min
GRITTY. Senator Lodge has had his hands
full from the beginning keeping the
Republican party together in the SEN
ate.
Considering the fact that he has hat
only a margin Of two or three votes t
, deal with, the Massachusetts leader
; can look retrospectiVely with q goot
deal of satisfaction for in most in.
stances he kept the party together. TC
have stayed in session, it was contend.
ed by some conservatives, might have
meant a loss of control by Senator
radical Republicans should be disap.
pointed by the Republican national con.
Vention either in the selection of a can.
didate or in the drafting of the variou:
planks of the party platform, the ca
pacity of the radical Republicans fol
political mischief inside the ranks IL
less with congress in adjournment thar
in session.
Taken all in all, the adjournment O.
congress means that both parties have
suspended public business for the mex
six months and that the presidential
and congressional campaign for 1921
has begun in earnest.
American foreign policy remains un
defined until the outcome Of the Novem
ber election is known. Domestic leg
islation, especially the much -talked-o
changes in the tax law and the much
mooted soldier bonus, have all beer
lost in the shuttle. Both parties con
fidently go forth to decide the deadloci
which has existed since November
1918, between the executive and legls
lative branches of the government.
Copyright, 1920, by David Lawrence.