The Mena weekly star., 1913-12-04
United Press Specially

Washington, Dec. 1.-With the simultaneous taps in the Senate and House of the respective gavels of Vice President Marshall and Speak or Champ Clark, Congress con- voned on the stroke of noon today for the regular Hong" session. It faced the most extensive and lm- nortant legislative program in many years. Because Congress has been in practically continuous session since lhe extraordinary" session convened on April 10, usual for malitv was lacking from the pro- ceedings today Interest centered upon the appearance tomorrow of President Wilson at joint session of the two bodies in the House chamber to read in person ms an nal opening message, or address. Bustle and excitement of past open ing days was not missing today, however. Legally, the event marked the advent of the second session of the Sixty-third Congress, Practi- caly the extra session lapsed into the regular session. Galleries in both chambers were damned today. Admission was generally limited to private cards of the members. Att the House end of the capitol, the return of over 300 members who have been absent for weeks sup ported the appearance of a new ses- sion. By fl o'clock the members thronged the floors exchanging greetings.
 Final preparations for receiving President Wilson tomorrow were made. The scramble for cards of admission for the presidents third personal appearance. reviving al custom over a century old, was in full blast. II was certain that the president would deal principally in his address with necessity for the regulation of giant corporations. Today practically the only business transacted by the Senate and House was to appoint committees to notify each other and another to notify the president that Congress had re- assembled. Real work of the new session will be launched Wednesday. By special order the Senate will then take up the 'Hetch Hetchy" bill, authorizing San Francisco to secure a new water supply from the Hetch Hetchy Valley.
 Before the House rules commit tee Wednesday, hearings will be be- gun on the question of organizing a special woman suffrage committee of the House. The hearings will probably last three days, with the "antis' given their innings. The ad- mnistration currency bill will be taken up by the Senate late this week or early next. The Senate Will vote December 6 on the Hetch Hetchy bill and then probably take up the currency bill. Prospects are for passage of the curerncy measure within sixty or ninety days. The Alaskan railroad bill will come up next Monday in the Senate. but will probably be passed over to continue currency discussion. Adjournment or Congress December i9 until January 5 for the holidays is plan ned.
 Facing Congress this winter is an unusually heavy schedule. Twelve regular and several special appro- prltaion bills must be passed. Trust regulation and amendment of the, sherman law will be taken up first by the House judiciary committee, whose investigation has already been authorized The Democratic caucus of the House has also in- Sst.fucted the committee to report Dili 10 prevent interlocking directo- rates. Movement for Congressional investigation of the copper strike at Caiumet, Mich, and the Colorado coal strike was renewed today. Re- ports from the Senate and House loDDy investigating committees are expected soon. Reform of the na- uonal banking laws, as an adjunct uo the currency bill, also got under way today.
 other legislation of minor im- poftanee includes control of river noods, establishing an armor plate factory by the government. the sea- hn, men labor bill, the militia pay ni nul creation of special army avi- "s'9n corps. proposed impeachment oi federal Judge Speer of Georgia, ihegotations of new Niagara Falls treaty, and abandonment of several navy yards.
 a,,lg blg politics" will also he played os osfing ng the new session. as the test VI congressional elections will be ndde next November. Leaders of all parties today predicted that Con- Sress Will not adjourn hefore next