The state herald., 1912-12-06
CONGRESS in SESSION
BILLION DOLLARS IN APPROPRlA.
TioNs MUST BE MADE TO
RUN GOVERNMENT.
GENERAL WORK WILL BE TO
CLEAR AWAY IMPORTANT BILLS
BEFORE SPECIAL SESSION.
Western Newspaper Union News Service.

Western Newspaper Union News Service.
Washington.-The expiring Sixty
second Congress assembled Monday at
noon for its final work OF legislation.
In the brief period remaining before
constitutional limitations bring it to
an end, fifteen appropriation bills. car
rying over $1,000, 100000 for the sup
port of the government must be
passed; the impeachment of Judge
Archbold Of the Commerce Court,
must. be tried In the Senate; many
Investigating committees must make
their reports and scores of legislative
matters be disposed of.
Throughout the session will run the
preparatory work of the extra session
to be called soon after President-elect
Wilson takes office. Committees will
thresh out questions of tariff, currency
and antitrust legislation. in the effort
to have Democratic policies shaped
and Democratic plans made before the
new administration comes into power.
1t is assured, say Legislative lead
ers, that there will be no tariff legisla-
ton this winter. Neither is 1t expect
ed that the currency or antitrust prob
lens will receive much attention, the
principal work of the session being
confined to preparation for the Demo-
cratic administration and the enact
ment of some of the more important
bills pending on the calendar of the
two houses.
Important bills to receive attention
include the bill for a department of Ia.
Dor. which Senator Borah said would
be pressed for immediate action; the
Sheppard Kenyon bill, preventing
shipments of liquor into dry" states;
the Page bill to give federal aid to vo-
catlonal and agricultural schools. and
the resolution for constitutional
amendment limiting President to a
single term OF six years. The annual
estimates for appropriations are ready
and will be sent to the House.
President Taft's message will be
brought in with some of his recon-
mendations for the year.
Chairman Fitzgerald OF the House ap-
preparations committee had not
reached his office Sunday, but a sub
committee has completed the first ap-
preparation bill and It will be passed
on by the full committee. This meas
ure carries appropriations for salaries
in the legislative. executive and judi
cial branches OF the government,
Committees have been at work on
other measures and a string of appro.
priation bills will be poured into the
House during the next few weeks. Ac
tIvity In the Senate usually is limited
until the House has completed some
Of the appropriation measures, but this
year the impeachment trial of Judge
Archbold will engross the Senate from
the beginning OF the session.
Several new inquiries are In pros
pect in the House for the short ses.
sion. The Judiciary committee will b.
gin an inquiry into antitrust problems
about Christmas with the hope that
some amendments TO the antitrust law
can be recommended before Congress
adjourns.
Either the judiciary committee or
the money trust" committee will be
asked. II is believed. TO investigate the
New England railroad situation to de-
termine what relation, II any, exists
between the Grand Trunk and the
Now York. New Haven a Hartford
"The money trust" investigation Is
TO continue this month and an effort
win be made to secure partial report
before the session ends. Many lnyesti.
cations including that Into the so
called shipping trust" and Into the
awarding OF contracts for army and
navy shoes. must be concluded before
March 4.
Senator Bacon win act as presiding
officer until Dec. id. by an agreement
made last August. II is believed tho
Senate then viii continue him AS pre-.
siding officer of the court of lmpeach'
mont until tho Archbold trial IL con.
cluded.
Washington hotels are rapidly fIll
ing with the horde N offlccscekers
who win besicFo PreEldont,cloet VII.
son. They are arriving carly 10 got ln
ruence AT work