The chronicle=news., 1913-04-07

elected officers and chose commit
tees at that session. and were pre-
\ pared for general Legislative work
today. The organization OF the
House was expected to consume all OF
today's session OF that body.
| President WILSON'S message Will
be read TO both Houses shortly after
the beginning OF the session tomorrow
In his call summonins the cNtraor-
dInary session Of Congress. the
President did not specify the purpose
for which II was 10 be convened.
Members OF Congress. who had talked
with the executive expected that the
message. prepared TO greet the new
congress. would urge action upon the
tariff ~ the first duty OF the Demo-
cratic mIjOrities In the Two houses;
but would leave the way open for ac-
tIon on the currency and other pre-
siding matters. II II Is decided later
to tax. them up.
Democratic majoriiIcs In both
House aud Senate are considered
strong enough to carry through the
program OF tariff revision determ-
Ing double the comhineds trcnEth OF
lh. Republicans and Pro.rcssiVes.
In the Senate the Democratic
strength Is ~. and the combined Re-
publican and Progressive" strength
i3. This mar.in is counted on 10 sc-
cure favorable action on the tariff
unless sectional Interests OF the
Democratic senators should bring
about n combination against certain
features OF the hill. IN which several
Democratic votes might be swaycd
from support Of III" measure.
Three candidates had been select
ed to lead the three parties In tn"
bailo,ing In the House today for tn.
'Spcak.rship: hut the reelection Of
Speaker Clark and the other Officers
who served the House in the last scs-
sion was assured. The Democrats
had unanimously endorsed Mr. Clark.
the Republicans had again named
James II. Mann OF Illinois. who has
incd upon by recent conferences. In
which the President has consulted
with Representative Underwood anu
Senator simmons. tho tariff leaders
OF the two bodies. The Democrats
hav. majority Of over 40 In the
House. their membership OF :Ss he
been Republican leader: and the Pro-
grcSsivcs had aligned themselves bc-
hind Representative Victor Murdock
Of Kansas.
The Progressive members appear
for the first time In the new Con-
grcss us n separate party In the con-
duct OF Housc affairs. Many Pro-
grcKsi>c members. elected In Novem-
her. have Joined the party orGaniAa-
tion and will act In concert through
ont the session. Rt least upon meas
urcs that may be- advanced as part Of
the Progressive party's Legislative
program.
PresIden, wilson's influence is cx.
pectcd. BY Democratic leaders Of
both houses. to BE- potent factor In
the shaping OF legislation through.
out the extra session. The President
has taken an active part In the pre-
paratory work on the tariff bill: and
will keep In close touch with the
Senate and House through the con-
sidcration OF the tariff currency. or
ether subjects that may bc taken up
during the session. lie has made IL
knewn that he may frequently unset
precedent by visiting the Capitol. and
seeking personal conferences with
. those active in the conduct OF lcSis-
lativc affairs.
IMPORTANT changes In the rules Of
! the Senate will be brought forward
jduring the next few days. These
changes. as advocated by the new
Democratic leaders OF the senate and
approved by President Wilson. seek
TO prevent any concentration OF pow
or In the hands OF n few senators. or
OF committee chairm.n. II Is pro-
posed to make all chairma sh lips
elective: to give the members OF each
committee the right to call meetings
without securing the consent of the
chairman. an d TO authorize COM
mittec to elect members OF joint con-
ference committees.
The latter provision II adopted
will leave TO the full Democratic
mcbmership OF the finance committee
the selection of the three or five
Senators who Will confer with sim.
liar house committee In the settle
ment OF tariff disputes and the fin.
nj completion Of the tariff bill
The probable length of the session
that begins today is uncertain. Act.
ual work upon tariff revision prob
Iably will begin tomorrow, with the
consideration of tho Underwood bill
by the Democratic House members
In caucus. Within u week II Is eX.
pectrd that the tariff debate Will be
in full swing In the House. Senate
leaders do not expect the compile.
tion of the tariff work before late in
July. Should currency reform also
be taken mp at the present session
Congress probably will remain y,
work until autumn.