Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1920-01-16
Domestic Affairs

Domestic Affairs
The return Of the United States to a
condition OF peace was not accom-
pliShed easily. Unusual conditions ex-
listed and the people of the country
were confronted with problems that
had been unknown In the days before
the war.
The adoption Of NATIONWIDE prolii-
bition and the submission by congress
complete woman's suffrage We're i'm
portant events of the year. Gatifica-
ton OF the national prohibition amend
mcnt came early in the year with n
rapidity that surprised the nation. On
January 20 the state department pro-
claimed the ratification Of the amend
ment and set January 16, 1920, as the
date when it would become effective.
On January o Attorney General Greg
DRY rendered his resignation. to become
effective March 4. and \. Mitchell Pal
mcr was appointed to succeed him on
February 81. On January IL Walker
d. Hines was appointed director gem
eral Of railroads to succeed William
G. McAdoo.
The governments first blow at the
. radicals during the year was deliv-
cred on January s when Congressman
Victor l.. Berger and four other So
-cialist leaders were found guilty by
federal jury in Chicago Of conspirlns
to Interfere with the successful con
duct OF the war. NOn February IS they
were sentenced to 20 years imprison-
ment.
On March Herbert Hoover was
appointed by the president to be d.
rector general of American relief
among the population OF Europe.
Because Of tho necessity for legis-
lation to meet the new after-wnr con.
ditions. President Wilson on May 7. by
cable from Paris, called a special SEES
sion Of congress TO convene May 10.
On May 10 the campaign for the Vic
tory Liberty loan. the last popular war
loan. closed with heavy OverSub.
scription of the S4,50O,0OO 600 bond
issue
The special session Of the Sixty
sixth congress opened on May 10 with
She Republicans in control Of both
house and senate for the first time
since 1912. The house Of representa-
tives was organized by the election Of
Congressman Gillett Of Massachusetts
as speaker. In the senate Senator
Cummins OF Iowa was elected prcsi.
dent pro ten.
One of the first acts of the new
l. ak,1
amendment to the Constitution by a
vote of 30i to 50. The amendment
was again brought up in the senate on
June and this time was adopted by
vote of 90 to %.
The activities of anarchiStic ele-
mentS were manifested on June =
when bombs were exploded Simultan-
cously ut the residences of ten mon IN
eight Eastern cities
On July l the wartime emergency
prohibition act went into effect and
for the first time in history the sale
of liquor was Illegal throughout tho
United States. On July 12 President
Wilson vetoed the agricultural apprO.
priation bill because of n ''ridcr" re-
DthllnS tlc hNiiiS id"' tVu-
gress promptly passed separate bill
repeating the daylight saving law and
when President Wilson vetoed this
measure, both houses passed the bill
over his veto on August 20.
The country was aroused during the
summer by series Of race riots. the
first OF which occurred in Washington
On July p. Four persons were killed
in the riotng ut the capital. On July
q the most serious race riots Of the
year began in Chicago. II was found
necessary to call ont state troops and
before order had been restored 3:
persons had been killed and hundreds
injured.
IN recognition Of The services which
he rendered rs CoinfnanGcr-in-Chicf Of
the American eXpcditionary forces
General Pershlng was made a general
for life by act OF congress. Ills com
mission was handed 70 him as he
landed on September 9 Ut New YorL
with tho irst division