The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-12-02
Expiring Congress Has
Much Work Left
to Do.
BILLION DOLLARS
TOBE DISPOSED OF
Appropriation Bills, Special In
quiries and Proposed Legisla-
ton Will Keep Lawmakers
Busy Until March 4-Prep-
arations Getting Under
Way for Special Session.

Washington. December 1.-The e2-
piring S!x'y-secoud Congress VIII be-
gin at noon tomorrow FOR its final
work OF legislation.
In the brief period remaining be-
fore constitutional limitations bring
II 70 an end and turn many Of It's
members back into private life, hfteen
appropriation bills. carrying over ST.
ooo. 900, 900 for the support Of the gov
eminent. must be passed; the impeach-
ment of Judge ArchboId Of the Com
merce Court. must be tried in the
Senate: many investigating commit
tees must conclude inquiries and make
their reports, and scores OF iegisla-
tive matters must be disposed or
Throughout the session. attracting
a. much attention as the actual work
OF legislation. will run the prepara-
tory work for the extra session. 20 De
called soon after President-eiect Wal
son takes ofice. March T.
Committees, pursuant 20 this. Wal
tnresh out questions OF tarif. currency
an antitrust legislation, aiming 10 nave
Democratic policies shaped ana Demo
cratic plans made. before the new ad-
rninistration comes into power. II II
assured. say the legislative leaders.
that there will be no tariff legislation
This winter Neither is IL expected that
the currency or antitrust problems Will
receive much attention in the mouse
or Senate the principal work or the
session being confined 10 preparation
for the Democratic administration ana
the enactment OF some OF the more
important bills pending on the eaIen-
OARS OF the two houses.
Many Important Bills
Important bills TO receive attention.
the bill for a Department OF LABOR,
which Senator Bo=ah said to-day would
b.. presented for immediate action; the
Sheppard Kenyon bill. preventing ship
raents OF llauor into dry" states. the
Page bill. 10 give Federal aid to voea-
tioual and agricultural schools. and the
resolution for a constitutional amend
merit, limiting a President 10 a single
term OF six years.
These measures have all been de-
bated before both houses. and have
reached the point whore action Of some
kind upon them is expected
With the opening ot the session less
than twenty-foVr hours away, the
Office buildings presented q deserted
appearance to-day. Members have been
slow in reaching Washington and not
much interest is shown in the prePara-
tion for activity.
The annual estimates for appropria-
tons are ready and will be sent to the
House tomorrow noon President
Tafts message also is ready
Chairman Fitzgerald. Of the House
Appropriations Committee. had not
reached his office to-day. but sub
committee has completed the first ap-
preparation bill. and it viii be passed
on by the full committee tomorrow
This measure carries appropriations
for salaries in the legislative. execu-
tive ano judicial branches OF the gov
eminent
Committees also have been at work
on other measures and a string os ap-
propriation bills will be poured into
the House during the next few weeks
The impeachment trial Of Judge
Erchbold viii engross the Senate from
enc be ginning OF the session.
Several new inquiries arc in pros
rect in the House for TIE short ses-
sion. The judiciary Committee viii
begin an inquiry into antitrust law
violations before Christrras time. with
antitrust law can be recommended be
fore Congress sdjourns.
The money trust investigation j.
70 continue this month. and an effort
will be made TO obtain At least q par
tial report before the session ends
Many other Investigations. including
that into the so-csiled shipping iTust
and into the awarding Of contracts for
army and navy shoes. must bc con
cluds6 before March &
Venture No Opinions.
Senators who had reached Washing
ton tonight would rot ventrr. opiu-
ions as 10 the outcome OF the sfrag-
xIc in that body Over tho sele ;isn 90
? presiding officer. since the death 81
Senator "ryc. president pro-temporc.
the Senate has been unable to elect
= successor. The Prczressivcs refused
10 vote either for the Republican can
didate. Senator Gallingcr o. the Dem
ocratic candidate. Senator Bacon. and
these two men have acted ai;crnat,-
L. - presiding Officer by Unanimous
consent
When 10 convenss to-morroN ihc
Senate will face the prospect % an
immediate adjournment. out Of Tcspcc;
Tor tho death Of Vice President Shcr-
man and Senators fsayrcr and Hey
burn Senator Bacon viii act - pre-
siding oficeT until December IS. b.
an azreerlcnt made las; August.
r. IS believed the Senate viii then
continue bin - presiding oficcr 81
80 court Of impeachment uufii the
..En,f. f~faf - r.-rfrIrg