The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1913-12-12
CONGRESS IS OPENED
SPEAKER CLARK AND vicE-PRES-
IDENT MARSHALL CALL THE
HOUSES TO ORDER.
MANY MEMBERS ARE ABSENT
Ambitious Program Is Laid Out for
the Nations Lawmakers, and They
May Be Busy Most of Next Year
Women Fill Galleries.

Washington, Dec. AT the stroke |
OF noon gavels sounded In senate and
house signalling me opening OF the
second, or first Regular. session OF the
Sixty-third congress.
The familiar figure of Speaker
Champ Clark was seen in the house
chamber In the senate Vice-Presi-
dent Marshall called the senators TO
order. This was the first regular ses-
sion OF congress in many years which
was ushered in under entirely Demo
cratic auspices-with Democrats In
control of the house and senate and
a Democratic executive in the White
House.
AS is usual on such occasions, the
galleries were filed. there being a
brilliant display of millinery and win
ter fashions by women spectators.
The diplomatic galleries In both
houses were we'll filled. diplomats OF
South America and Central America
predominating in the attendance.
In the house the blind chaplain of
that body, Rev Henry n. Couden, de-
livered the invocation, after which a
few new members we're escorted to
the speakers desk to take tire oath
Of office. This ceremony over the
house proceeded to embarrassing rou-
tine business. Routine business and
preliminary skirmishing over the cur
rency bill occupied the attention Of
the senate.
Subjects They Will Take Up.
Many members, who were detained
here during the summer and autumn
months. have not returned yet. some
declaring they would remain away un-
til after January /, so as to be at
home for the holiday season They
think little important business will
be transacted until after the begin
ming of the new year.
Although the program had not been
definitely formulated. members look
forward to tackling one Of the most
ambitious legislative tasks that con
gress In q long time has attempted
Here are some of the subjects of legis
lation that the new congress will take
up:
Final action on the currency bill.
Antitrust legislation.
Rural credits.
Naval program.
Passage, of a dozen appropriation
bills.
Train safety and safety on thu
ocean.
Regulation of the shipping trust
Final action on the reports of lobb,
investigating committees.
The cost of living problem.
Legislation to protect women work
ers.
River and harbor budget.
Legislation looking to the buildin
of government railroad in Alaska.
May Have to Consider Mexico.
Another important matter which
is believed will engage the attentio
OF congress is discussion of the Me1
lean problem. However. this d
ponds or the action of President Wi
o SON. There will be no action relativ
the president gives it his approval.
to Mexico, most members think. unles
Congress will be on the job uut
} about December 10, when an adjourn
ment will be taken over the Christina
y holidays until January 8. Appropri
ton bills will be under considerable
within a week or two, it being the e,
u pectation that the District appropri
ton bill will be the first one consi
u cred Many members predicted ths
congress would be in session durin
4 the coming summer and perhaps u
til the autumn.