The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1913-12-02
Scant Ceremony When
Two Houses Are Rap
ped to Order.
USUAL SCENES
NOT EN- ACTED
Extre and Regular Sessions
Merge, and Members Take Up
Legislative Grind-First Day
Marked by Customary
Grist Of Bills-Wilscn's
Message To-Day.
Especial to The Times-Dispatch. J

Especial to The Times -Dispatch.]
Washington, December 1.-The msre
rapping OF u savel an extra prayer and
the calling OF tho roll constituted the
simple ceremony by which the special
session of tho Sixty-third Congress- at
noon to-day. passed into and merged
With the first regular session.
Tho Senate took UP the fag ends OF
it's work on tho last lap OF the special
session at 10 o'clock this morning and
remained constantly in session up TO
the appointed hour. The galleries were
very thinly occupied. Tho Presidents
and Vice e-Presidents pews and the di-
plomatic gallery wcro absolutely va
cant No demonstration was expected.
and no unusual incident developed. The
passing away OF the special session and
tho incoming of the new caused not so
much ripple of applause. and the
business of the body was not inter
fcred with more than solitary mo-
ment.
One Ends, Another Begins.
AS tho hand on the big white and
gold clocls reached the hour. Vice
President Marshall. with "A gentle tap
OF his ivory gavel. announced the ses-
sion adjourned without day" Immc-
diately he stated that Congress had
assembled "in accordance with the
Constitution" called the Senate 10 or
der and the chaplain rendered his sec
ond prayer OF the day Business pro-
ttsu't "IlNDul
The House adjourned last Saturday
without day. II reconvcned at noon
to-day without the scenes usually Wit
messed when the Representatives. after
q long absence at home. come together
an their hcld OF oratorical battles.
There was some show OF turbulence.
Just 10 keep pace with tho traditions.
but the great majority OF the members.
Tired and weary with the protracted
session that had just closed. seemed
willing TO let things drift and permit
thC leaders TO bear whatever burden
W. coming session might bring a'sy.rs
The galleries at this end OF the Cap
itol always the most popular spot on
an opening day. were fairly we'll
crowded Speaker Clark wore his GUS
tomary beaming smile. but seemed un-
easy in n long, tiSht-titting and close
ly-buttoned Prince Albert 4 terrific
bang OF his gavel made for business
and not fer ornament brought the
buzzing crowd to sharp realization
of its surroundings, but the hum was
renewed with increased vigor as the
call OF members by states progressed.
TO ascertain "who was who" in this
session.
For the first time in many long
weeks, moro than n quorum answered
70 their names. 254 Representatives an
nouncing their presence at their posts
OF duty. The usual committees were
until tomorrow at noon. At l o'clock
both bodies will sit in the chamber Of
the House Jointly and listen to Presi-
dent Wilson read his message
Seek to Hnsten Things.
Meanwhile, IN the Senate, Democratic
leaders attempted TO inauRurate their
caucus plan OF fastening things.
They wanted to begin business tho mo-
ment the COMMITTEES were appointed to
notify the House and tho President
that the Senate was ready TO go TO
work John sharp Williams. Chairman
Owen. Leader Kern and others urged
immediate action of some sort or other.
Republicans protested that nothing
could be done until official report
WIS received from the House that il
hnd organized.
Democratic leaders poo-hooded this
m appeal was taken to the Vice Presi-
dent. That official, without a moments
hesitation, announced that Congress
had assembled under the provisions OF
the Constitution The Senate was not
Congress. and not until each house
lfnew off1cially that the other was In
session could any business he done
The Senate theroupon took n recess
until o'clock. after which hour busi-
ness ran on smoothly.
An attempt to institute the proposed
program OF day and night sessions for
consideration of the administration cur
rcncy bill failed. the Democrats agree
ing to allow final settlement of the
program to go over until Tomorrow
TO give the Republicans time to con
slider il.
Republican Leader Gallinger an
nounced that the Republicans would !
make no effort to filibuster or obstruct
III any way the passage of the cur
rency legislation. Democratic leaders
tonight predicted the enactment of the
mpa Sure before thp hoItdnve
The currency bill. as completed by |
the Democratic conference, was print
ed and prepared for the Senate to-day, |
and Senator Owen presented it as n |
substitute for the bill originally re-
ported by himself and the administers
lion Democrats Of the Banking and
Currency Committee.
Senator Burton, Republican, OF Ohio. |
introduced q currency bill Of his own. ,
which would provide for tho formation
OF a central bank to be owned by the |
public and operated by the government |
The Erist OF hrst-day bills in the
House was much smaller than usual. |
but there arc still pending hundreds OF |
bills covering nearly every conceivable |
form OF legislation submitted In the
extra session. These include many !
bills for trust regulation, which the
Judiciary Committee will consider |
Hearings On trust legislation by this
committee will be held before many |
weeks.
Get York on Currency.
Although 3. program for consdera-
tion of the currency measure was not |
formally adopted In tho Sepate, the
Democrats succeeded In beg inr ing
work on the bill. Discussions OF the |
Hctch Hetchy water bbl Jagged bur
Continued On Second Page.)E
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