Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1909-12-07
CROWDED GALLERIES WITNESS
ED OPENING TO-DAY; ADJOURN
MENTs TAKEN THROUGH RE-,
sPEcT TO DECEASED MEMBERS.
EAGERLY AWAIT
TAFT'S MESSAGE
MEMBERS OF BOTH HOUSES ARE !.
AWAITING TO HEAR WHAT THE !
PRESIDENT HAS TO SAY BE-
FORE TAKING uPtPRoGRAM.

Washington. d. c., Dec. 6.-Crowded
galleries representing official and
social life in Washington Witnessed
the commencement of the regular ses-
sion OF the sixty-first congress today.
There were few empty seats when the
two chambers were called to order.
The procedure was similar to that
which has characterized every open
Ing Of congress. A great mass Of bills
was introduced by representative by,
the simple act Of being dropped in q
receptacle provided for their recep-
tion. The senators will wait until to-
morrow before presenting new meas
ures they propose to father during the
coming month.
The announcement of the recent
deaths of members Of congress caused
adjournments today on both sides OF
the capitol in respect to their mem
ories. The swearing in of new men,
bers will not take place until tomor-
! row, Just before the presidents mes
sage 1s received and read.
Await Presidents Message.
Before the day is over there will
| be preliminary conferences on both
sides of the capitol for the purpose or
tlaying out plans for the sessions
work. The progressive senators will
not long delay their discussion OF
legislative work they desire to see
done before the session c1osses The
| insurgents OF the house soon will be-
gin to cement their forces into a work
ing brigade. Meanwhile both houses
await the presidents message with the
utmost interest
| There Is practically no prospect OF
amending the rules of the house dur
ing this session, and the Indications
are strong that there will be no gem
eral effort in that direction. There
doubtless will be some talk, however.
1 The principal interest In the out
look centers in the possibility of rail
road legislation, and all hands are
! waiting with keen expectancy to see
what recommendations il any Mr.. Taft
may make on that subject.
Representative Mann has bills pre-
pared on all these points and will pre-
sent them as soon as the message Is
received. He Is chairman of the COM
mittee which will have the measures
in hand and will press them with
vigor.
4 Much interest Is felt in the Mica
raguan situation, but the general dis
position is to permit the executive
branch to deal with 1t without legisla-
tive interference, at least in the pres
ent stage. Congressman generally ex-
press no apprehension as to the out
come
: The attitude of Canada towards the
provisions of the tariff law relative to
print paper and wood pulp Is giving
some concern. There will be early Of
!, forts to remedy this situation but there
is no certainty Of the outcome.
Corporation Tax.
While corporation tax provisions OF
the tariff bill was under consideration
during the extra session, Senator AID
rich expressed the opinion that ii
might not be of long life. but he prob
ably will take no steps to abrogate 1t
until the full effect of the tariff as a
revenue producer can be ascertained.
Representative Campbell will In
troduce resolution some time today
for an investigation of the sugar trust.
The opinion Is quite general that
after their long "wait at the church. Z
New Mexico and Arizona will attain
to statehood before the close of the
session The president has promised
\ that they shall come In separately and
while many members still regard the
two territories as unprepared for the
responsibilities of statehood, the prob.
abilities are that they will yield and
allow the bill enabling the admission,
; There will also be strenuous efforts
, to get through postal savings bill
: and merchant marine bill, both will
e be opposed.