New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1909-12-07
frro,n the Tribune bureau ]


Washington, Dec. &-rhe sist Congress
met for it's FIRST regular session at noon
to-day. the vice-President calling the
Senate to order and the Speaker pre-
siding. over the House. The usual crowds
filed every available inch OF space in the
galleries OF the two chambers and many
stood In line In the corridors until the
brief sessions had come 60 a close.
Neither house was in session more than a
few minutes and only the most formal
business was transacted before adjourn
ment Was taken out OF respect to dead
members.
Some interest was injected into the Sen
ate proceedings by the announcement OF
Senator Bailey. OF Texas. that he had be-
come enamored Of the custom OF the Brit
fish Parliament OF meeting IN the evening.
The Texan said he realized the futility of
asking the Senate to conform to that GUS
tom just now, but urged that the Gus
tomary rule providing that the Senate
shall meet al IL meridian" be amended
TO read % post meridian" Mr.. Bailey did
not put his suggestion in the form OF
notion and the usual rule was adopted.
II is a safe prediction that THE British
idea" will find little favor In the upper
house, although its sponsor purposes 10
press his suggestion later on.
The House. usually a somewhat noisy
body. was less demonstrative than usual
to-day. This is attributed to the recent
death Of Representative DE Almond and
the tragic circumstances under which IL
occurred. II Is probable. too. that the
prevalence OF insurgent sentiment tended
90 diminish the enthusiasm with which
Speaker Cannon is usually greeted and
played It's part in producing the Chilling
atmosphere which Was obvious.
Conservatism is noticeable IN the views
expressed by members Of both houses OF
Congress. Even those who only few days
ago loudly proclaimed their purpose TO in
stitute sweeping Investigations into trusts
and controversies admitted to-day that. on
reflection. they had determined TO make
haste slowly. Senator Borah. who had an
nounced his purpose thoroughly TO venti
late the affairs OF the Sugar Trust and its
violations Of the customs law. said to-day
he would introduce a resolution calling for
an investigation. but would permit II TO
lie on the table" pending the conclusion
Of the prosecutions being conducted by the
Department Of Justice. Representative
Campbell. who purposed TO introduce a
similar resolution In the House. admitted
that he had decided TO consult the Attorney
General before doing Senator Nelson.
who intended 20 father an investigation of
the Ballinger- Pinchot controversy. has for
the present. ST least. thought better Of IL.
Representative Hitchcock. Of Nebraska. a
Democrat introduced a resolution calling
for an investigation Of the General Land
Once. which went 10 the Committee on
Rulvs.
The leaders OF both houses deprecate the
idea Of any extensive legislative pro-
gramme. They say their plans for the ses-
sion are not Yet formed, and they are. OF
course. open 10 conviction by the Presi-
Gent. but their present impression is that
the wisest course for Congress is TO pass
the necessary appropriation bills, to adhere
rigidiy 10 the policy OF economy. and seri-
ously 10 take up only such general legisla-
ton may be insisted upon by the Execu-
tive. The Insurgents are. naturally.
vehement in their protests against this
general policy. but they exhibit a serious
lack OF unanimity Of purpose and cohesive
ness OF Organization. For nearly a week
they have been announcing daily meeting
at which they would outline q programme.
but thus far they have been unable 20 get
together
That the President has done his part In
the promotion OF economy is amply demon
strated by the estimates submitted TO Con-
gress to-day The grand total calls for a
little over $4,000. 600 LEES than the esti-
mates Of last year and 81, 600 lass than
the current appropriations for all purposes