The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-12-01
The Extra Session Passes Into
the Regular One.
New Congress Ushered In With
out Usual Ceremonies.
SENATE MEETS 1T 10 O'CLOCK
And Glides Into the New Stu.
alton at Noon.
House Begins Immediately on
the Supply Bills.

Washington, Dec. IA new ses-
sion of congress-, the second In Pres
ident Wilson's administration, began
work at noon today.
Vice President Marshall, as the
noon hour arrived, declared the oIo
session adjourned without day..
and in the next breath announced
that congress had assembled I'm ac-
cordance with the constitution.
More formality marked the opening
Of the house. The chaplain, the Rev.
Henry N. Couden, offered prayer, re-
ferring with particular emphasis %
the great economic and social PROB
lens which concern the welfare OF the
Individual, the home. the government
and religious life of the nation.
A roll call disclosed a quorum.
something the house has not had In
MANY weeks. The senate began the
session with its first days york al
ready mapped out. Debate on the
Hetch-Hetchy bill began at once.
The program Of the senate Demo-
Gratis on the currency bill was not at
once enforced and the Republicans
were given until tomorrow to confer,
following an announcement by Sena-
tor Gallinger that there was no dis
position to obstruct progress OF the
bill.
There was little formality about the
rsherine in of the new congress at
noon. It's advent was s1gna1zed Dy the
fall of the gavel in each house, with the
announcement of the presiding o1r1cer
that the second session OF the sixty
third congress had begun. A w1oe-
spread demand for tickets for the house
gallery for tOmorrow's session lnolcateu
the interest that centers about Fresl-
dent Wilson's reappearance at the cap
itol to deliver a short address.
The president will read his first gen.
eral message to congress at joint ses-
sion of the two houses at l O'Clock to-
morrow and it is expected Will toucn
upon many of the problems to be taken
at the new session.
The senate practically merged the
session into the new one, by meeting
at ten o'clock today to wind up the
work of the dying session. Democrat
leaders were prepared to push the
currency bill forward as the CHIEF
business and to hold the senate IN
daily sessions from 10 o'clock in the
morning until IL O'Clock at night un-
til it is disposed of.
The house will start work on the
great appropriation bills. carrying
more than $1,000, 100000. Prelimi-
nary work by the appropriations COM
1mtttee has brought several Of the sup
DIV bills near completion and an ef-
fort will be made to pass the $1S,0OO,-
900 District Of Columbia bill and the
fortifcation appropriation bill before
Christmas.
When the senate met, Democrat
leaders had agreed that the currency
subject would not be taken up before
noon. The extra session terminated
in the senate with the introduction of
a few bills and resolutions and an ex-
ecutive session to confirm some of
President Wilson's nominations.
The Days Business.
Washington, Dec 1.-Senate met at
10 a. m. and concluded the business OF
nominations. About 100 expired nom
nations were unacted upon.
Senator Works introduced a bill 70
restrict transportation of military
forces and supplies to Panama to
American bottoms. Leaders agreed to
delay resuming the lobby investigation
until the currency bill is passed. Re-
cessed and convened at noon, beginning
the second session of the Sixty-third
congress.
House met at noon, beginning the
new session. Representative Henry in
trOduced a bill to amend the Sherman
law.
Senate took brief recess while COM
mittee notified President Wilson con-
gress was in session. Republican Lead
er GallnSer lOO1CdLeO the minority
would call a currency caucus. House
adjourned at 1907 p. m. to noon Tues
day.
Bill for Central Bank.
Washington, Dec. 1.-Senator Burton
introduced a bill today for a central
bank to be owned by the public and
operated by the government with II
branches. Its powers would be similar
to. those vested in the regional banks
by the administration bill.
Jail sentences only and no fines for
violations OF the Sherman law, are pro-
posed in an amendment offered today
by Representative Henry which also
would declare illegal any device to
restrain trade, manipulate prices, pre-
vent competition or fix standards for
controlling prices. Organizations not
conducted for profit and agricultural
products In the hands Of producers
would be exempt.
Wilson Willing to Stay.
Washington, Dec. Unless congress
takes a recess during the Christmas
holidays, President Wilson will forego
his planned ten days vacation. De-
termination Of Democratic leaders in
the senate not to agree to the recesS