The Fairmont West Virginian. (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1904-1914, 1913-04-07
.f|lRGHSHlF
/. ]. Cl|N 6
TARIFF REVISION AND CURRENCY
REFORM WILL CLAIM THE At
TENTIoN OF CONGRESS, WHICH.
OPENED AT NOON TO-DAY.
(By Associated Press)

GOEIpStC .iShISlOu VI AHtS $500 49,
modification of the nations currency
system; proposals for Philippine In
dependence, for repeal of the Panama
Canal free.tol provision, and for the
Immediate construction Of govern
mentowned railways in Alaska, are
che chief problems confronting the
first session Of the sixty-Third Cou-
gress, beginning at noon to-day,
Summoned by President Wilson for
the express purpose Of revising the
tariff, the new Congress faces extreme
pressure from many quarters for early
action on the other subjects named.
Whether any Of these other than the
tariff, will be taken up during the spe'
cial session. depends upon the prog
ress made with the tariff revision, and
the success that may attend prelmi-
nary work upon q general currency re-
form bill.
For the first time in eighteen years,
Congress assemblies with both its
branches under control of the Demo.
Gratis, and with a Democratic presi-
dent 10 cooperate in shaping its poll
cies, and to approve its acts. The tar
| if law to be passed by the special SEES
sion that opens to-day will be the urst
general Democratic revision OF the
revenue laws since the act of August
81. 1894, known to history as the will
NORMAN law" and which Presi-
dent Cleveland allowed to become a
| law without his signature.
J Scores of familiar faces were abb
sent in both houses In the House.
the complete change in the seating ar
rangements had made even old MEM
hers strangers to the scene. In place
Of the mahogany desks and swivel
chairs 10 which members had chung
for many years. stiff rows OF leather
upholstered benches, arranged in
seml.circles, filled the House cham
her The new bench system, some
what similar to that of the British
House Of Commons gives no desk
space at which members can write or
work while in the House Chamber.
New members dominate the larger
House in the new Congress. The III
crease of the membership OF the
| House from 39G to 1875, which became
effective March 4, brought in larger
proportion of new members than have
Iappeared in any Congress OF recent
years; and made more conspicuous
the absence of old.time leaders, such
as Former Speaker Cannon, John Da''
2cn, Of Pennsylvania Nicholas Long
worth of Ohio, Samuel w. Mccall OF
Massachusetts. L. u. Hill of Connect.
cut, and William D. Mckinley, OF
Illinois.
The work before Congress today
consisted chiefly OF organization bust
ness. The senate had completed its
| organization early in March, during
the special session called to act on
Frcsidcht Wilson's appointments.
Vice President Marshall served his
carly apprenticeship as a presiding Of
flccr and the Democratic leaders took
charge of the Cenate, elected officers
and chose committees at that SEES
sion, and were prepared for general
Legislative work to-day. The organi2a
ton Of the House was expected TO cen
sumo all Of to,days session OF thai
body.
President Wilson's message will BIZ
read to both Houses shortly after the
beginning of the session tomorrow.
l
In his call summonng the eXtaOrdi'
nary session of Congress, the Presi
dent did not specify the purpose for
which It was to be convened. Mem
beers OF Congress who had talked with
the executive expected that the mes
sage, prepared to greet the new coll
gress, would urge action upon the tar
iff as the first duty Of the Democrat1c
maioritIes in the two houses; hui
would leave the way open for action
Gu the currency and other pressing
matters, If it is decided later to take
them up. sHhAiE
Democratic maiorities in both
| House and Senate axe considered
strong enough to carry through the
! programme of tariff revision deter
mined. upon by recent conferences, in
which the President has consulted
with Rep. Underwood and Senator
Simmons, the tariff leaders Of the two
bodies. The Democrats have a ma
jorIty Of over 14O in the House, their
| membership OF 2SS being double the
combined strength of d,e Republicans
and Progressives.
In the Senate the Democratic
strength is 81. and theAombined Re.
,,,l,iinnn ma prnrrnspivn strength AZ