The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1913-04-07
GREAT PROBLEMS ARE AHEAD OF
 63D CONGRESS
(The Associated Press)

proposals TOT Independence i for repeal of the Panama canal free toll provision, and for the immediate construction of government owned railways in Alaska, are the chief problems confronting the first ses-
 sion of the Sixty-Third Congress, be- ginning at noon today.
 Summoned by President Wilson for the express purpose of revising the
 tariff, the new Congress faces ex-
 treme 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 special session depends eupon the progress made with the tar
 if revision, and the success that may
 attend preliminary work upon a gen
 eraI currency reform bf1l.s
 For the first time in eighteen
 years, Congress assemblies with both
 it's branches under control of the
 Democrats, and with a Democra tic
 President to corporate in aka aping it's
 policies, and to approve it's acts. fThe
 cial session that opens today will be
 the first general Democratic revl-
 sion of the revenue laws since the act
 of August 27, 1894, known to history
 as the ''WiIson-Gorman Iaw'', which President Cleveland allowed to be-
 come a law without his signature.
 Scores of familiar faces were absent
 in both Houses. In the House, the
 complete change in the seating ar
 engagements had made. even old mem
 bers strangers to the scene. In place
 of the mahogany desks and swivel
 chairs to which members had clung
 for many years, stiff rows of leather
 upholstered benches, arraigned in
 semi-c1rc1es, filled the House cham
 Der. The new bench system, some
 what similar to that of the British House of Commons, gives no desk ,4 1ioIo work while in the House Chamber.
 New members dominate the larger House in the new Congress. The tn-5 crease. of the membership of the House from 396 to 435, which became effective March 4, brought in a larg- CT proportion of new members than have appeared in any Congress of re- cent years; and made more conspieu- ous the absence of old time leaders, such as Former Speaker Cannon, John DalzelI of Pa., Nicholas Long worth of Ohio, Samuel w. Mccall of Massachusetts, B. J. Hill of Connec- ticut and William B. Mckinley of H. 1inois
 The work before Congress today l consisted chiefly of organization bus 1 mess. The Senate had completed it's tfon early in March, during | President Wilson's appointments. Vice President Marshall served his | early apprenticeship as a presiding | and the Dem leaders took charge of the Senate, elected | officers and chose committees at that session, and were prepared for gen eraI legislative work today. The or-I ganization 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 ais call summoning the extraordinary | session of Congress, the President did 1ot specify the purpose for which it vas to be convened Members of Congress who had talked with the executive expected that the message, to greet the new Congress would urge action upon the tariff as he first duty of the Democratic ma critics in the two Houses; but would cave the way open for action on the urrency and other pressing matters, f it is decided later to- take them ID.
 Democratic majorities in both House and Senate are considered trong enough to carry through the program of tariff revision determined Ipon by recent conferences in which he President has consulted with Rep. and Senator Simmons, the , ariff leaders of the two bodies. The Democrats have a majority of over 40 in the House, their membership f 2s8 being double the combined trength of the Republicans and Pro ressives.
 In the Senate the Demo ocratic is 51 and. the combined Re ubltcan and Progressive strength 45. his margin Is counted on to secure avorabIe action on the tariff unless interests of Democratic sen tors should bring about a eonnbina- ion against features of the bill, in yhich several Democratic votes night be snayed from support of the r leasure. .
 Three candidates had been select ! d to lead the three parties in the bal { 'ttng in the House today for the ' peakership; but the reelection of , peaker Clark and the other officers Tho served the House in the last f assion was assured. The Democrats ad unanimously endorsed MT. Clark, : 1e Republicans had again named : ames R. Mann of Illiois, who has : cen Republican leader; and the Pro- z ressives had aligned themselves be- ' nd Rep. Victor Burdock of Kansas. | The Progressive members. appear v ,r the first time in the new Congress [ a separate party in the conduct Of | ouse affairs. Many progressive embers, elected in November, have . ined the party organization and . i'll act in concert throughout the = ssfon, at least upon measures that a ay be advanced as part of the Pro- 'eesive Party's legislative program. President Wilson's influence is eK- H scted, by Democratic leaders of | ,th Houses, to be a potent factor
 the shaping of legislation through tt the extra session. The President IS taken an active part in the pre- Lratory work on the tariff bill; and s III keep in close touch with the ! Q mate and House through the con- n, iteration Of the tariff currency, or d. her subjects that may be taken up h. lring the session. He has made it r, town that he may frequently upset +r ecedent by visiting the Capitol, and V, eking personal conferences with oee active in the conduct of 1egisla- re affairs
 Important changes in the rules of e Senate will be brought forward W ring the next few days. These rE anRes. as adXocated by the new e