The Twin Falls times. [volume] (Twin Falls, Idaho) 1905-1916, 1911-12-08
CONGRESS NOW
IN SESSION
Opening Witnessed by Great
Crowds.
MOST IMPORTANT SESSION SINCE
THE WAR.
Politics VIII Cut Figure-BOth Re-
publicans and Democrats JOckeying
for Position.

for Position.
Washington, Dec. 4.-Both houses OF
congress convened today at noon with
practically every member in his seat.
The galleries were crowded and many
were unable to obtain admission.
The senate elected Senator Curtis to
act as president protein until Dec. IL.
Senators Smith of Georgia and Gard
ner of Maine, were sworn in.
''The most important session since
the civil war" is the prediction made
by many Democratic leaders for the
first regular session of the Sixty
second congress which opened today
Stirring days ahead" are forecast
by Republican members, and on both
sides of the big party line members in
the house and senate are drawn up to
fight out weighty problems of legisla-
tion in a session that will lead up to
the presidential campaign OF 1912.
OF Importance as to the bearing 1t
will have on the approaching political
contest in the nation; of particular in
terest because of party differences
regulars and insurgents on the Repub-
lcan side reactionaries and progress
unusual significance because of the
heavy legislative program, it is at
least certain that this will be one of
the liveliest sessions of congress in
many years.
With the gavels falling in the house
and senate at noon, the tariff and the
trusts stood out as the most import
ant subjects for legislation with big
fight assured in both houses. Many
other great questions confronting the
congress, all of them to be approach
ed vigorously, include monetary re-
form, ratification of arbitration trea-
ties with Great Britain and France,
and the loan treaties with Nicaragua
and Honduras; Alaska legislation, the
election of senators by direct vote Of
the people, pension bills and the regu-
lar and permanent annual appropria-
tions, to be under the direction this
time in the house by a Democratic
committee
While the legislative struggles are
in progress, politics is certain not to
be overshadowed. With the Demo-
Gratis looking ahead with sanguine
hope for triumph at the polls next
November and insurgent Republicans
striking out in earnest to capture
every move made in either branch of
congress from now until adjournment
will be thoroughly considered from po-
litican as we'll as legislative view
points. The political pot in Washing
ton will soon begin to boil, with the
Republican national committee meet
ing here Dec. IL, to be followed JAM 3
by the Democratic national commit
tee. Selection of convention cities
choosing of committee chairmen who
will manage the big campaigns and
plans for the approaching party con-
ventions and the subsequent battle OF
the ballots will attract as much at
tention from the nations legislators
as will the making of the nations
laws.
To enliven the political interest in
both houses there are candidates for
the presidency casting their shadows
across the horizon.
Champ Clark, the speaker of the
house, already considered among the
Democratic possibilities, may at any
time make presidential pronouncement
to his colleagues; and Representa-
tive Oscar W. Underwood of Alabama
the Democratic floor leader, also II
talked OF throughout the country al
presidential timber
In the senate, Mr.. LaFollette alread!
has been proclaimed by progressive
Republicans as their choice to wres
the nomination from Mr.. Taft.
In the house the political interes
will be further complicated by the at
titude of Mr.. Bryan, who has quar-
relied with Mr.. Underwood and brand
ed him as reactionary and now cri
ticizes Speaker Clark in what man.
Democrats declare Is an effort t
cause a breach between the speake
and the majority leader Of the house
The tariff legislative program will
follow the long awaited report OF tn
tariff board which Is expected to sub
NIT the result of its Investigations o.
wool and cotton before the holidays
The ways and means committee Of tn
house, however, under the direction
OF Chairman Underwood. will begin q
once the preparation of new tarit
bills. Throughout the recess fore
of clerks and experts have been q
work preparing for the committee.
President Taft has given his pledg
that, when the tariff board submits It
report on the woolen and cotton sche
dulles it will be his pleasure to max
tariff recommendations to congress
The subject will be treated In q spec
ial message.
Meantime. however. the ways an