The Detroit times., 1911-12-05
MICHIGAN DELEGATION
MAKES GOOD SHOWING
At OPENING OF CONGRESS
Ten Representatives and Two
Senator's From Wolverine State
Present at Opening Session.
TODAY'S SESSIONS BRIEF.
President Taft's Annual Mes
sage Will Be Read in Both
Houses Tomorrow

capitol, made ready Tor the mighty
race that is to extend far into the
summer and fixed their eyes on the
goal for national success in 1912.
Politics will be played every minute,
for national success I'm 1912, depends
largely upon what congress does dur
ing the next few months.
The usual opening day crowds
thronged the senate and the house
galleries long before noon today.
Except for the speech of Represen.
tative Martin W. Littleton in answer
To those who have criticized his atti-
tude with reference TO the Steel Trust
investigation. there was little business
before the house
The following representatives from
Michigan were soon in their seats 20
answer the roll-call at 12 o'clock:
Representative Wedemeyer. DorG-
mus. Hamilton, Dodd. 8. w. Smith,
McMorran, Mclaughlin, Loud. Young
and Sweet. Reps. j. NJ. c. Smith and
Fordney have not reached here up 10
this time, but their secretaries are
expecting them any minute.
The house will get down to work in
earnest by Wednesday. although II is
not expected that great deal VIII he
accomplished before the holidays.
President Taft's annual message Will
&c read in both houses tomorrow
The opening OF the senate was very
short and OF a routine nature. Both
CT Michigan's senators, Townsend and
Smith were present New members
were sworn in, including Senator.
lloke Smith, OF Georgia and Senator
Gardiner. of Maine.
With the thump OF the ivory hand
led gavel OF Speaker Champ Clark
and the polite tapping OF his desk by
Vice-President Sherman, the first ses-
sion OF the sixty-second congress
opened precisely at IL o'clock.
Confronted with weightiest ques-
tlons OF public policy, the Democratic
house of representatives met 10 pre-
pare itself for what promises 10 be
une 'of the most important sessions OF
congress in the last half century.
With prospective candidate for
the presidency, Champ Clark. NJ the
speakers desk. the house came to
order at noon, the floor filed with a
fair attendance of both Democrat and
Republican members. The right side
OF the center aisle where the Demo
Gratis sit. was we'll filed. and the Re-
publican side OF the house besprink-
led with members OF the minority.
The whole house settled down to
business. despite the evident formal
ity OF the occasion. with seemingly
deem regard for the sessions pros
poets. With the tariff legislation and
the antitrust law widely agitated. a
strenuous session for the lower body
of the national Legislature.
Crowded galleries greeted Champ
Clark with round of applause as he
assembled the rostrum. The Chap-
lain's prayer followed, and then came
the roll call.
The clerk was instructed TO inform
the senate that the house was In SEES
sion. and committee was appointed
10 join the senate committee in notify
ing the president that congress had
assembled.
Thereupon the house, out of respect
10 the memory OF the late Rep. Madi-
son. OF Kansas, adjourned
In the upper house two senators
we're appointed 20 act with Il com
mittee OF the house, in informing
President Taft that n quorum Of both
houses was assembled and that Con
eress is ready 10 receive any com.
mumcation he may be pleased to-
make"
Republican and Democratic leaders
agree as TO the necessity of legisla-
ton covering a number of important
subjects and say that the only pos
sibility of failure of achievement lies
in a disagreement oyer details.
For example, thes demand for fur
Their regulation of the trusts is unani-
nous, but the Democrats and many oil
the progressives want TO amend the
sherman law. while the administra-
ton Republicans merely wish TO sup
plement IL with federal incorporation
and other legislation. Similar differ.
ences of opinion prevail with refer
ence to the tariff, conservation, and
other problems.
"Of course IL is impossible to say
in advance what the senate will ac-
complish in the way OF legislation.
said Senator Penrose. the leader OF
the administration Republicans. Il
should think, however. that the SEN
ate will pass the bills relating TO the
tariff. regulation of business. and
ether subjects included in the recon-
rlendations of President Tart Pro-
rress undoubtedly will DC made in
0GdllNR Win CURRENCY pIOOltiuo'
Senator LaFollette expressed con-
Hlence that the senate will pass much
OF the reform legislation for which the
progressves and many Of the regular
Rorublicansz-have been contending.
81 sec no reason why We should not
-tat.1- mn and dispose of the trust regH--
l.tion and Alaskan conservation oues-
tiops', he said "Of course. the ef-.
forts OF the proeressives to obtain
revision Of the tariff downward will
be continued. and, hope, with sue
cess"
Senator I.aFollette will urge the
amendment. of the Sherman law so as
20 throw upon the corporation the bur
den of proof that Il Is not operating in
restraint OF trade
I'm addition to the appropriation
bills, the house will be occupied
chiehy with the revision of the tariff,
bills To amend the Sherman law, inter.
state commerce legislation. the pro-
rosal 10 abolish the commerce court
contamination and workmen's com
pensation legislation, Alaska conser-
va.ion. and other minor subjects.
said Speaker Clark. Il think tho
Democratic majority will act on all
these matters.
II always have considered the tariff
srd t-t,st- n. ono uJfpsliOp feel