The Birmingham age-herald., 1921-05-09
GENERAL RESUME
 OF TIE PAST WEEK
 AT WASHINGTON
By HUGH w. ROBERTS Washington Bureau The Age-Herald
 300 Davidson Building

Washington May -(Special.) The most interesting feature of the past week in Congress was the investigation into the escape of Grover c. Bergdoli, the draft dodger, who is presently in Ger many The situation has become so acoute that it is very probable that tor- mer Secretary of War Baker will be sum- moned to testify. The mother of the dodger, Mrs Emma Bergdoll, will take the stand, possibly before the conclusion of the ensuing week.
 Adjutant General Harris. before the in- vestigating committee, assumed responsi- bility for having issued the order which permitted Bergdoll, under proper escort, to go after his pot of gold" He de- clared that s. E. Ansel, formerly a judge advocate general and now attorney, on whose insstence he issued the order should have seen to it that Bergdoll was returned to prison MT. Ansell, on the stand, seemingly tried to shift the blame to Judge Westcott an elderly attorney of New Jersey, who subsequently, de- nounced the efforts as ridiculous, and the testimony as false. Ansell again on the stand, seemingly put Clarence Gibboney, who was an attorney in the case, in very bad light. Gibboney is dead.
 The immigration bill, limiting the com ing of foreigners to the United States to per cent of the foreigners already here, went to conference. The Senate elimi- mated the House povision opening the shores of the United states to those seeking religious freedom. The House re- fused to accept the Senate action, and the point will be threshed out in con ference.
 The House enacted budget bill The Senate had previously done so. The measures will go to conference out or which a permanent statute will come. As result the government Will take stoch of it's prospective income before War ranting appropriations in that the gov ernment might live within it's means.
 The Senate committee on naval affairs added sl000,OOO to the House bill appro- priating for the navy, making the total S496. .OOO,0OO Senator Borah gave notice that he would offer an amendment max ing it compulsory on the President to call a conference of nations for the dis- cussion of disarmament The Presloent has stated that he wants no instructions from Congress relative to matter which is within his exclusive Jurlsdic- ton.
 Senator Penrose spoke tlength on the emergency tariff bill, declaring it to be necessary to the financial welfare or the country, and adding that no amend ment to it's tariff features would De per r,itted. Senator Simmons of North Carolina stated that the democrats hao no desire unnecessarily to delay passage of the measure, but that they would IT. sist on a free discussion In that us iniouities might be disclosed to the pup lie.
 Senator Harrison sought to amend tho rules of the Senate in such wise that all treaties and confirmations mlght pc considered in open session of the senate unless the Senate by two-thirds Vote might rule otherwise. The effort, which has not been concluded, immediateS found friends and enemies.
 The Senate declined to confirm prlor to extensive investigation the nomination oft n H Blair of North Carolina to be commissioner of internal revenue. Sena- tor Johnson of California charged tnal Blair violated the law of North Caro- lima relative to elections.
 Senator Kenyon and Representative Fess introduced bills establishing de- partment of public welfare to De pre- sided over by woman, who snail De cabinet officer. She would have 'charse of health. schools, children, maternity ana other domestic problems and educa- ton. Enemies or the piiir o"A ~ istic. ,,,,,
 Senator King of Idaho introduced a oi'l converting Congress January and Aprll
 
 s. rather than March A. as at present. The bill has two objects The one wou,a nut A President in office very shortly after his election rather nan four months after. as at present. The other would make it unnecessary tnat tne people attempting to inaugurate Fies.- dent brave the elements of March A. which at that date are often unkind.
 The House passed bill making it ho ,,,oIation of the Clayton antitrust act for farmers to form organizations for coi- lective marketing. It is provided that the Secretary of Agriculture may secure an injunction when, in his opinion. rarm nroducts demand too high price
 In order that newspapers might noe be held liable, the House agreed 10 pr,n' the so-called stacker list of the war oe nartment in the Congressional Record;
 Representative Lehlback introduced resolution providing for an investigation into the advisability of establishing an electoral voting machine in the House oi Representative Under the present sys- tenn. it requires nearly an hour Tor the
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