New-York tribune., 1920-12-14
Amendment Includes the
Lever Food Control Act
i'm Resolution Restor.
ing Peace-Time Basis
Republicans Keep
Campaign Pledge
Prompt Senate Passage
Expected; Trading With
Enemy Law Exempted

WASHINGTON, Dec. Ia Repeal of
most of the wartime laws was voted
to-day by the House, which adopted the
Volstead resolution for that purpose
after two hours of debate.
The vote on adoption of The resolu-
tion was unanimous, 323 votes being
recorded as favoring it, with none op-
posing. The House, before taking the
final vote, accepted an amendment pro
viding for inclusion Of the Lever food
control act among the laws which the
resolution would repeal
The amendment. which covers all
provisions Of the food control act with
The exception OF the section relating
TO rents in the District Of Columbia
was offered by Representatives Bland.
Republican. Indiana. |; was carried
by vote OF l79 to l37.
Bond Measures EXEMPTED
The resolution, which now goes to
the Senate. cXcmpts from repeai only
the trading with the enemy act. the
War Finance Corporation act and its
amendments, and measures dealing.
with the issuance Of Liberty and
Victory bonds.
The resolution declares "Any ac, Of
Congress that by its terms is in force
only during the existence of state
Of war and limited time thereafter
shall be construed and administered a.
II the present wan terminated on the
date when this resolution becomes
effective."
The measure as adopted, is virtually
identical with that passed by Congress
just before the adjournment OF tn
last session, which was killed by presi-
dent Wilson'S pocket veto. Io-dav's
house vote in~icates that the measure
could be passed over veto.
The resolution viii go TO the Sen4i p
tomorrow, and it is expected THAI
body Will promptly take it up after
1t goes through the usual formalites
OF reference tc committee Predictions
are it Viii pass the Senate
Apart from 'he Lever food control
act the most important acts repealed
are the espionage act, with the cxcep-
tlon Of certain provisions which were
written sS permanent law and the
Ovcrman act, under which the Presi-
dcnt was given sweeping authority TO
consoildate bureaus and transfer from
one department to another bureau
or division as he saw it, There is
much dispute as to the enact effect of
the resolution on certain wartime
legislation. Democrats have freely
charged it was ambiguous
Repeal o. tho war laws viii cuf off
various officials and boards and reduce
the number OF employees However.
there are no reliable estimates on the
amount OF the saving or the reduc-
tons in personnel. Senator Curtis. Of
Kansas, holds that if repeal OF the
war laws is followed up by proper
economies in appropriations the gov
eminent can dispense with about 300
600 employees here and IN other cities.
It is doubted by others if this can be
done. a saving of several hundred
millions can undoubtedly be effected
ii repeal is followed up by insistent
cutting down Of the personnel and
getting the personnel back in the di-
roctioM Of the pre-war basis
Fulhlls Campaign Pledge
Republican leaders Of the House +
serted tonight that adoption OF the
resolution was one Of the first steos
taken BY the Republican majority 20
1uliill the campaign pledge to put tie
country on a peacc-timc basis.
Disposition Of the Nolstead resolu
tion clears the way for considerat on
OF the resolution offered by Represents
;.tlve Reavis, Republican. Of Nebraska
which would provide for Congress
sional survey Of the governments ad
ministrativc departments special
rule limiting debate will be presented
to-morrow by Chairman Campbell Fl
the Rules Committee and action on tho
floor will follow a vote or the adop-
tinn Of thn l1lne