The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1906-12-04
CONGRESS READY
FOR AFFAIRS
Of NATION
Senators Introduce Resolu-
tions Asking Facts on
Negro Troops Dismissal
JAPANESE QUESTION
is TALKED OVER
Whether Exclusion Legisla-
tion Will Be Pushed This
Session is Matter of Doubt


WASHINGTON, Dec. 3.-The Fifty
ninth Congress began its last session
at noon today. It took the Senate if
teen minutes to arrange its prelim-
inaries and the House an hour The
Senate received from President Roose-
Welt long list Of nominations for its
confirmation. and in executive session
Of nineteen minutes decided as the
nominations had been received before
the body had been organized formally.
70 make no combinations until the
Presidents annual message had been
received and the session fairly started.
Senators Penrose of Pennsylvania and
Foraker Of Ohio came forward with
resolutions Of inquiry regarding the
discharge OF the negro troops Of the
Twenty fifth Infantry. One was ad-
dressed 10 the President and the other
10 the Secretary Of War. After the
ripple Of surprise had passed and
Vice President Fairbanks had suggest
ed that il was unusual TO transact any
business until the Presidents message
had been received. the resolutions went
over by unanimous consent Senator
Dupont OF Delaware took the oath OF
Office The opening Of the two houses
was witnessed by an animated throng
which hlled the galleries 10 their ca
pacsfF. EuadreSs went away disap-
pointed in not gaining admittance 10
witness the session Of either Senate
or House
MANY NEW MEMBERS
Not in years has larger number of
rnembers-elect Of the lower house Of
Congress appeared at the Speakers
desk TO take the oath of office. Death
was unusually active among the mem
bership during the closing days of the
last session and the beginning Of the
present. and Chaplain Couden feelingly
called the attention Of the body to the
work Of the grim reaper during the
months since adjournment.
Speaker Cannon appointed Repre-
sentative James R. Mann of Illinois
as a member Of the Board of Regents
Of the Smithsonian Institution, vice
Robert r Hitt Of Illinois. deceased
The galleries of the House were
crowded st an early hour. The abb
sence OF flowers from the desks OF the
members was much commented on.
but the order Of the Speaker prohibit
ing the floral display was generally
commended for its good sense. A sim
ilar rule was made in the Senate two
years ago.
Mrs Nicholas Longworth, daughter
Of the President. occupied a seat in
the executive gallery. accompanied by
Miss Hagner. social secretary to the
wife Of the President.
COCHRAN Is VERY BUSY
The routine work Of the House in
cident to the opening day was quickly
dispatched. the roll call showing near
ly goo members present. Representa-
tive Bourke Cochran Of New York, who
recently married Miss Ide was the sub
ject Of a hearty laugh when his per-
sonal request that he be permitted to
absent himself for an indefinite period
on account Of business was laid be-
fore the House by the Speaker.
After the appointment OF the usual
committee to wait on the President ana
inform him that the House was organ
lied and ready TO receive any communi-
cation he might desire 10 make of in
terest 10 the public service. the House
adjourned out Of respect TO the memory
or the deceased. members
President Roosevelts message win
be received both in the House and Sen
ate tomorrow. No bills were intro
duced in the Senate IN the House
there were thirty-eight public meas
ures and $50 OF a private character.
SPELLING TEMPEST THREATENED
The question Of spelling viii un-
doubtedIy receive attention at the
hands Of Congress this week. The sub
committee Of the House committee on
appropriations which provided the ex-
ecutive and judicial appropriation bill.
viii report that measure TO the full
committee today with the old form of
spelling retained and it viii be for the
committee to decide whether the sim
pliaed spelling method shall be used.
There is a possibility that the Congress
sional Record will contain both styles
or spelling. Representative Charles
Lands. chairman Of the House commit
tee on printing. in discussing the ques-
tion. said.
The Congressional Record will con-