Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1913-04-08
Called Specially for Tariff
Revision Faces Problems.
Philippine Independence, Pana.
ma Canal Free Toll with Other
Subjects Demand Atteniion...Pro'
gress on Tariff Express Purpose.

| Washington, April "A complete
provision of the. tariff law; moditca-
ton of the nations currency system;
proposals for Philippine independence
for repeal of the Panama Canal free
foil provision, and for the immediate
4 construction of government-owned
RAILWAYS in Alaska. are the chief prob
LENS confronting the first session OF
the 6srd Congress, beginning, at noon
today
Summoned by President Wilson for
the express purpose of revising the
tariff. the new Congress faces extreme
pressure from many quarters Tor
early action on the other subjects
named Whether any of these other
than the tariff. will be taken up dur
| ing the special session depends upon
the progress made with the tarln re-
vision. and the success that may at
tend preliminary work upon general
| currency reform bill.
For the first time in IS years, Con-
gress assemblies with both its branch
es under control of the Democrats,
and with n Democratic president to
cooperate in shaping its policies, and
to approve its acts. The tariff law TO
be passed by the special session that
opens today will be the first general
democratic revision of the revenue
laws since the act of August q, 1894,
known to history as the Wilson-Gor-
man, law and which President Cleve-
land allowed to become a law with
out his signature.
a
in both houses In the House, the
complete change in the seating ar
rangements had made even old mem
beers strangers TO the scene. In place
of the mahogany desks and swivel
chairs 20 which members had chung
for many years, stiff rows of leather
upholstered benches, arranged III
semi-eircles, filled the House chamber.
The new bench system, somewhat
similar to that of the British House OF
Commons, gives no desk space AZ
which members can write or WORK
while in the House Chamber.
New members dominate the larger
House in the new Congress. The IN
crease of the membership of the House
from 39e to ass, which became effec-
tive March 4, brought in a larger pro-
portion of new members than have
appeared in any Congress of recent
years: and made more conspicuous
the absence of old-time leaders, such
as Former Speaker Cannon, John Dali
zell o. Pa, Nicholas Longworth OF
Ohio. Samuel w. Mccall of Massachu-
sets, E. j. Hill of Connecticut, and
William r. Mckinley of Illinois.
The work before Congress today
consisted chiefly of organization bust
ness. The Senate had completed its
organization early i'll March, during
the special session called to act on
President Wilson's appointments,
Vice President Marshall served his
early apprenticeship as presiding
officer, and the Democratic Leaders
took charge of the Senate, elected off
GERS and chose committees at thai
session, and were prepared for general
legislative work today. The organi-
zation of the House was expected t
consume all of todays session of THAI
kody.
President Wilson's message will b,
read to both houses shortly after the
beginning of the session tomorrow. In
his call summoning the extraordinary
session of Congress, the President did
not specify the purpose for which II
was to be convened. Members of Con-
gress who had talked with the eXecu-
tive expected that the message, pre-
pared to greet the new Congress
would urge action upon the tariff as
the first duty of the Democratic ma
jorities in the two houses; but woulc
leave the way open for action on thf
currency and other pressing matters
If il is decided later TO take them UP
Democratic majorities in both Houst
and Senate are considered strons
enough to carry through the program
of tariff revision determined upon By
recent conferences in which the Pres
ident mas consulted with Rep. Under
wood and Senator Simmons, the tariff
leaders of the two bodies. The Demo
Gratis have a majority of over lao il
the House, their membership of %
being double the combined strength o.
the Republicans and Progressives.
In the Senate the Democratic
strength is 81, and the combined Re
publican and Progressive strength %
This margin is counted on to secure
favorable action on the tariff unles!
/ sectional interests of Democratic sen
ators should bring about combina
| ton against certain features of tbs
bill. in which several Democratic votes
might be swayed from support of thu
measure.
Three candidates had been selected
to lead the three parties in tn ballot
ing in the House to-day for thu
Speakership; but the reelection OF
Speaker Clark and the other officers
who served the House in the last SEES
sion was assured. The Democrats
had unanimously endorsed Mr.. Clark
the Republicans had again named
James II. Mann of Illinois. who has
been Republican leader; and the Pro
gressives had aligned themselves be
hing Rep. Victor Murdoch of Kansas
The Progressive members appear fol
the first time in the new Congress az
a separate party in the conduct o.
House affairs. Many progressive
members, elected in November, have
~