The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1913-04-07
CONGRESS OPENSTODAY
continued From Page one.

Continued From Page One.
Cali OF Massachusetts. e. J. Hill of
Connecticut, and William B. Mckinley
of Illinois.
The work before congress today
consisted chiefly Of organization busi-
ness. The senate has completed its
organization early in March, during
the special session called to act on
President Wilson's appointments. Vice
President Marshall served his early
apprenticeship as a presiding officer,
and the democratic leaders took
charge Of the senate, elected officers
and chose committees at that session,
and were prepared for general legisla-
tive 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, s~ummoning the extra
ordinary session of congress, the
president did not specify the purpose
for which it was to 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 as the first duty of the demo-.
cratic majorities in the two houses;
but would leave the way open for ac-
ton on the currency and other press
ing matters, il it is decided later to
take them up.
Democratic majorities in both house
and senate are considered strong
enough to carry through the pro-
gramme of tariff revision determined
upon by recent conferences, in which
the president has consulted with Rep
resentative Underwood and Senator
Simmons, the tariff leaders of the two
bodies. The democrats have a ma
jority of over 14O in the house, their
membership of 2SS being double the
combined strength of the repubIi-
cans and progressives.
In the senate the democratic
strength is 81, and the combined re-
publican and progressive strength As.
This margin is counted on to secure
favorable action on the tariff unless
sectional interests Of democratic SEN
ators should bring about a combina-
ton against certain features of the
BILL. in which cas democratic votes
might be swayed from support of the
measure.
Three candidates had been selected
to lead the three parties in the bal
loting in the house today for the
speakership; but the reelection of
Speaker Clark and the other officers
who served the house in the last ses-
ton was assured. The democrats had
unanimously endorsed Mr.. Clark, the
republicans had again named James
r. Mann of Illinois, who has been re-
publican leader; and the progressives
had aligned themselves behind Rep.
Victor Murdoch of Kansas.
+. The progressive members appear for
the first time in the new congress as a.
separate party in the conduct of house
affairs. Many progressive members,
elected in November, have joined the
party organization and will act in con
cert throughout the session, at least
upon measures that may be advanced
as part OF the progressive party'S leg
islatiYe programme.
President Wilson's influence is ex-
pected, by democratic leaders of both
houses, to be a potent factor in the
shaping Of legislation throughout the
extra session. The president has TAX
EN- an active part in the preparatory
work of the tariff bill; and will keep
in close touch with the senate and
house through the consideration Of the
tariff, currency, or other subjects that
may be taken up during the session.
He has made it known that he may
frequently upset precedent by visiting
the capitol, and seeking personal con-
ferenceS with those active in the ON
duct of legislative affairs.
Important changes in the rules of
the senate will be brought forward
during 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 power in
the hands Of a few senators, or of COM
mittee chairmen. 1t is proposed to
make an chairmanships elective; to
give the members Of each committee
the right to call meetings without
securing the consent of the chairman;
and to authorize committees to elect
members Of joint conference commit
tees.
The latter provision If adopted will
leave to. the full democratic member
ship Of the finance committee the Sc
lection of the three or five senator's