The Wisconsin tobacco reporter. (Edgerton, Wis.) 1877-1950, 1913-12-05
new CONGRESS- IN
Steps from Extraordinary into
Regular Session.
USUAL INTEREST is ABSENT

Status of Legislation Shows Little Va.
ration from What 1t Was When
Senate and House Adjourned Sat
urday = Representative Underwood
to Continue AS House Leader
WASHINGTON, D. C.-Only few
minutes separated the first, or extra
ordinary, session from the second, o
regular, session of the Sixty-third con
gress, which opened at noon.
The regular session was ushered in
by the formal proclamation of Vice
President Marshall in the senate and
Speaker Champ Clark in the house.
Outside of theze fCrlna.ities there was
little difference in the session from
those that have pret eded it in the spe
cial session.
The status Of legislation showed
little variation from " hat it was WheG
the senate and house adjourned Sat
urday afternoon.
Usual interest Is Absent.
AS result the interest usually sur
rounding the opening of new session
of congress was absent.
This is the first time in many years
that congress has stepped over from
one session to another without break
in the routine of business. The SEN
ate met as usual at 10 o'clock in the
morning, and after the intermissiOn Of
a few minutes at noon the regular ses.
sion was on in full swing, and the bus
mess of legislating went on as if it
were an ordinary daily session, instead
of the beginning of a new congress.
Asks $1,108,681,7 TIT for Expenses.
Estimates calling for appropriations
to run the government for the fiscal
year beginning July 1 were submitted
to congress by Secretary of the Treas
ury McAdOO. The amount asked is
$1,108,6S1,777. Items which appear III
the estimates include improving Wau-
kegan harbor $4,000, improving Cal
umet river 100000, improving Indi
ana harbor $4,000.
The Presidents Message.
In his message, delivered at Joint
session of the houses of congress,
President Wilson urged immediate
currency legislation, devoted consid-
rable space to the needs of the farm
ers and referred to the Mexican cri-
sis, predicting the downfall of Huerta
The Sherman antitrust law, he said,
should be changed so that its exact
meaning would be clearer. The pres
ident also urged the choice Of presi-
dental nominees by the direct vote of
the people expressed at primaries.
President Wilson's policy toward
the Philippine islands was made clear.
He urged the development of the Phil
ippines, always keeping in view the
ultimate independence of the island
ers. The message also urged legisla-
ton to safeguard workmen both or
land and sea.
Representative Oscar w. Under
wood of Alabama will remain on the
job of house leader this session. 1t
has just become known that Mr. I'm
derwOOd plans to remain in the house
until the expiration of his term in
March, 1915.
Associated to some extent with the
work of congress this sssion are
plans for party reorganization that
are now in progress there. On Dec
Is, the Republican national committee
will meet in Washington for the pur-
pose of determining whether special
national convention shall be held to
minimize the influences of the south
in party councils. To some extent
the progressive plan of campaign in
next years election will be Tipped
out in Washington this winter.