The Ontario Argus. (Ontario, Or.) 1???-1947, 1913-04-10
NEWS FROM OUR
NATIONAL CAPITAL
Congress Convenes with DEM
ocrats In Complete
Control


Democratic domination, was enlivened
by the activities Of the Progressive
organization in the house and an inva-
sion Of petition.bearing suffragettes.
Even these novelties. however, were
overshadowed By the preparations for
the precedent-breaking event 6f'rues-
day. when President Wilson delivered
his tariff message by word Of mouth
to the nations lawmakers.
The senate hesitated when resolu-
tion adopted previously by the house
providing for a Joint session to listen
to President Wilson was presented for
Its consideration. II was stunning
proposal. Not In the lifetime OF any
veteran statesman present had such .
thing ever been considered. History.
they supposed. had closed on that
custom century and more ago.
The senate debated for nearly an
hour the concurrent resolution for a
Joint session to hear President VIII
sons message. No senator Of the
dozen who spoke opposed the passage
Of the resolution. but several on both
Sides OF the chamber expressed regret
at the departure from the Jeffersonian
custom Of sending In written mes
sages. N
President Wilson's message to tho
extra session was unusually short.
making only about 1900 words. II
dealt entirely with the tariff, leaving
to the discretion Of congress the meth.
pd OF handling the issue.
Congress May Act on Flood Control.
Champ Clark Reelected Speaker.
When the house convened. the Dom
ocrats. following their caucus deci.
sion, renominated and reelected
Speaker Clark. The Republicans nom.
mated Representative Mann OF I'LL
nois and the Progressives nominated
Representative Murdook. OF Kansas.
Victor Murdoch. leader OF tho new
Progressive party In the lower branch.
at the very outset stirred up a fight
over the seating OF Representative IL.
olin Young. OF Michigan.
Progressive strength was tested on
the speakership, Mr.. Murdoch receiv-
Ing is votes. The new party. however.
mustered more votes later In the fight
on Representative Young when II at.
tempted to prevent his taking the oath
OF office by resolution introduced by
Representative Hinebaugh. OF Illinois.
Democrats. led by Representative
Fitzgerald. and Republicans marshall.
cd by Leader Mann. Joined forces In
sitting upon the new party organiza-
ton. the first recognized third organ
ization In the house for 80 years. Mr..
Young was sworn In. a contest OF his
seat by w. J. Mcdonald. Progressive.
to be considered later by the elections
committee.
Tariff Bill Cuts Duties on Food.
Removal OF duty from many articles
OF food and clothing: reductions In
the rates OF duty on all nscessarles OF
life; an increase OF tariff on many
luxurles; and new income tax that
would touch the pocket OF every Amer
lean citizen whose net income exceeds
$4,000. are the striking features OF the
new Democratic tariff revision bill.
presented TO the house.
Sugar would be free OF duty In 1916,
the bin proposing an Immediate 20 per
cent reduction and the removal OF the
remaining duty In 1916.
Raw wool would be made free az
once with correspondingly heavy re-
duction In the tariff on all woolen
goods.
All those other articles are put on
the free list. namely:
Meats. flour. bread. boots and shoes,
lumber. coal. harness, saddlery, iron
ore. milk and cream, potatoes, salt,
swine. corn, cornmeal, cotton bagging.
agricultural implements. leather. wood
pulp. bibles. printing paper not worth
more than 2h cents per pound, type
writer's. typesetting machines. cash
registers. steel rails. fence wire. cotton
ties. nails. hoop and band iron. fish.
sulphur. soda, tanning materials. ace.
tic and sulphuric acids. borax. lumber
products, including broomhandles.
clapboards. hubs for wheels. posts.
laths. pickets. slaves, shingles.
Measures Pile Up at Extra Session.
Bills and resolutions to reform the
nations currency system. TO prevent
floods In the Mississippi river. TO pro-
vide for relief of flood sufferers. to
build government railroads In Alaska
and for host Of other purposes we're
introduced in both houses OF congress.
Several currency reform bills APP
peared. one by Senator Hitchcock. OF
Nebraska. a member OF the senate
committee that will prepare currency
legislation. II would establish 20 dis
tinct national reserve associations.
.,ith .siaa uouara NJ nota taana dla.