Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1914-12-09
CONGRESS MEETS.
openiDg Of Third Session of sixtv-
third Congress Monday.


third Congress Monday.
The third session Of the s,ytv-,h,ra
congress, opened Monday, after recess
OF SIX weeks, following the long and
arduous session which closed late in Octo-
Der. The session will be devoted largely
TO appropriation measures. Democrat;c
leaders express the hope that the leeisla-
tive program of necessities could he con-
Guided by March next, when the pres-
ent Congress automatically win end. Re-
publican leaders, however, have stated
tnat there were many important measures
which they would urge for passage, and
some indicated that supply bills might be
delayed to such an extent that an extra
session next spring and summer would be
necessary.
Conservation measures include The
general water power and land leasing
bills, hearings on which are to begin be-
fore the Senate committee on public lands
during the week. Before the Senate COM
mittee on Philippine islands, the bill to
pave the way for Philippine Independence
which passed the House at the last session
is pending.
Other important measures pending in
the Senate are the immigration bill with
the literacy test for aliens, which passed
the House at the last session.
| Rural credits legislation also is pending,
and the government commission, which
investigated the subject last year, is urg-
ing bills that have been in sud committee
K of the House nd lapata IT, t..x;nt...
however, also is on the list OF measures
which administration leaders are under
stood not to want to press at this time.
| At least seven of the great annual sup
ply measures OF Congress are to be rushed
so as to report them to the House before
the Christmas holidays. These are the
Legislative, executive and judicial, the
District Of Columbia, Notifications, PEN
sions, military, postoffice and rivers and
harbors appropriation bills.
| When the House convenes the business
before 1t will be the proposed financial re-
lief for the cotton states under an agree
ment reached at the last session. Rep.
Henry, chairman Of the rules committee,
says that he is prepared to renew his
fight Tor the s25o, 100000 cotton currency
bill as q substitute for a currency measure
for enlarging the amount OF currency that
can be based on commercial paper, q
measure that the Federal reserve board
| and administration leaders in Congress
have agreed is no longer necessary. The
indications are that the cotton PROPOSE
ton will be defeated.
Members already in Washington have in
formally discussed the military situation,
particularly the agitation started by Rep.
Gardner, Of Massachusetts, in behalf Of
his resolution for an investigation into
the preparedness OF the United States for
war. Senator Lodge, OF Massachusetts,
plans to introduce similar resolution in
the Senate.
The subject is certain to precipitate
lively discussion, but administration
leaders and the President are understood
to be opposed to the passage of the reso-
luton, urging that all facts relating to the
condition Of the army or navy, are known
or are available without such an inquiry.
In this connection, too, the appropriations
for the army and navy will further open
debate on the military situation. Both
the military and naval committees OF the
House have been at work on the supply
bills, and will continue daily sessions be-
ginning to- morrow morning.
Champions of increased naval construc-
ton are certain to urge a three or four
battleship program, the building Of more
torpedo boats and submarines and in