The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1913-03-18
New Congress viii Meet on
April 7, According to the
announcement
NO REASON GIVEN
IN BRIEF NOTICE.
Simply Says That Public In
terests Require Converting
of Legislative Body on
Date Specified

WASHINGTON, March 1.-THE
extra session of the senate which con-
vened March 4th under the call of
President Taft to confirm the norli-
nation of his successor, adjourned
soon after o'clock this afternoon,
having Just been informed by Presi-
dent Wilson that he had no further
communications to make.
Activity on Capitol Hill is therefore
suspended until April 7th, when the
extra session will meet to take up
tariff revision.
President Wilson today issued the
formal proclamation converting con
gress In extra session at noon April
eth.
The Cali is Brief.
The presidents pronouncement to-
day was brief and followed form close IN
~. 1t stated merely that whereas
public interests require" congress
would be convened in extra session by
order of the executive
Originally, Mr.. Wilson had fixed
upon April LIST as the date, Repre-
sentative Underwood. the Democratic
majority leader, having informed hiFn
that the tariff bills to which, II was
agreed, congress should give ifnnae-
date attention, would be ready on that
date. Mr.. Underwood found, how
ever. that the ways and9means conf
mittee would need another week to
draft the tariff schedules. and todayrs
proclamation is in Difference TO the
wishes of Leader Underwood and
house leaders.
No Reason Assigned i'm Call
The absence of any specific reason
for the calling of the extra sess on is
explained by the fact that Mr.. VIII
sons statement Immediately after his
election declared that he would call
an extra session to revise ms tariff.
President Wilson plans to point out
specifically his wishes for the extra
session in his first message, in prepa-
ration. This 1t is known from talks
the president has had with members
of congress, will outline the admin
istration's idea of how the tariff should
be revised and just what schedules
should be taken up. The belief is
general that the entire message will
be taken up with a discussion Of the
tariff. with the exception of the last
paragraph or two which will draw at
tention to the need of currency Leg
islation at the earliest possible mo
ment. and will indicate the purpose
of the president to send later spe-
cial message on that or other sub
tects which he believes should be
taken up by the new congress.
Caucus to Consider Plan.
The tariff will be submitted first
to a caucus, and then directly to the
house by the ways and means COM
mittee,
1.-THE committee will be ready to re-
port by that time said Democrats
Leader Underwood today. we have
made Roadway and there will lie no
trouble about reporting the revised
/ plan when the congress convenes.
The majority of the ways and means
committee today began consideration
of the administrative features OF the
new tariff These provisions relate to-
variety of custom house routine anH
the effort of the Democrats in chang
ing the terms and pharseology of the
administrative section is to simplify
and facilitate the customs work both
/ in the interest of the government and
the importers. A number of changes
along that line were suggested by Wit
nesses during the tariff hearings In
January.
| The tariff revision plan will be in
such condition that whatever form the
caucus determines upon can be re-
| ported Immediately out the commits
tee. and the whole tariff discussion
formally opened up in the house
without delay
Committee Assignments to Wait.
There will be no attempt to naHtc
! all or even the bulk of the house Conn
mittees at the outset of the extra
| session. that being reserved under
the present plan until toward the close
| of the extra session so as to ohvIate
I any unnecessary legislation until the
regular session of congress conveness
I in December.
| The ways and means committee per-
( sonnet already has been determined
\ ,ipon in Democratic caucus OF the
! Sixty-third congress. and 1t will be
| ratified by the house at the opening
| OF the extra session, when the conl-
/ mites on rules, mileage and accounts
also will be named. Whether any 9TH
| err committees will be created for dos
I ing business at the extra session de-
ponds on developments between now
and April 18th.