The Birmingham age-herald. [volume] (Birmingham, Ala.) 1902-1950, 1914-12-07
Democrats Hope to C8n
plete Legislative p
gramme of ApprOpri
tions by March /
LEADERS EAGERLY
AWAIT MESSAGE Of
PRESIDENT Wilson
Strong Support of Conservation I az
ures Including General Wa
Laws Felt-Several Import
ant Bills Arc Pending

Washington. December 6.-The fsssa
session of the sixty-thIrd Congress, aai
he convened tomorrow. Members Oh -
houses iocl>cd to Washington I'd
ending their holiday recess of six ,veN
which followed the long session tbnt
closed late In October.
Democratic leaders unanimously express
the hope that the legislative programme
of appropriation measures can be con-
cluded by March 4. next wnen the presents
Congress automatically will end Many
republican leaders, however, have said
they would urge many important meas
tires and some indicated that supply bills
ought to be delayed to such an extent
that an extra session next spring and
summer would be necessary.
Democrats think an extra session un-
likely.
Administration leaders await eagerly
the message of President Wilson. which
will be delivered Tuesday for a definite
outline of the Presidents wishes for leg
islation. Already. however. they have
prepared for some things generally ex-
pected to be pressed before adjournment
Conservation measures for which there Is
strong support include the general water
power and land leasing bills
Philippine Bill Pending
The bill to pave the way for Philippine
independence, which passed the House at
the last session. is pending Another Inn
portant measure pending in the Senate
Is the immigration bin with the iteracy
test for Aliens which has passed the
House. Some majority leaders have de-
clared that 1t will be permitted To die
with the expiring Congress TO be con-
| sidored When conditions resulting from
I the European wac have assumed more
definite shape.
Rural credits legislation, is pending.
This legislation, however, also IS on the
list of measures administration leaders
are understood 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-
SONS. military postoffice and rivers and
harbors appropriation bills.
| Others are to be fastened through to
ward off the necessity. If possible. of an
extra session.
ness before viii be proposed fnan
ness before it viii be proposed flnan-
| resentative Henry. chairman of the
rules committee. says he Is prepared
to renew his fight for the $3.50 ooo000
cotton currency bill as q substitute for
| a currency measure for enlarging the
amount of currency that can be based
on commercial paper, n measure the
| federal board md democratic leaders
! have agreed Is no longer necessary
Chairman Glass of the House currency
committee, wlio pressed this commercial
paper bill at the last session, has aban-
doned his efforts. indications are thar
the cotton proposition Will be de7
! feated. a conference - southern soma
tors and Representatives will he held
! tomorrow or Tuesday morning to dis
cuss the subject.
Discuss Military Situation
Members already in Washington have
informally discussed the military situa-
| ton. particularly agitation started by
| Representative Gardner of Massachus-
etts for an .nv6stigation of the pre-
paredness of tie United states for war.
Representative Gardner's resolution for
investigation has been pending In tho
House since the latter part of last ses-
! sion Senator Lodge of Massachusetts
plans to introduce n similar resolution
In the Senate. Administration leaders
and the President are understood 10
! oppose the resolution, arguing that all
| facts relating to the condition Of the
army and navy are known or are avail
| able Appropriat for the army and
navy will further open debate on the
military situation. Both the House mill
tary and naval committees have been
at work on supply bills and will con-
! tinue daily sessions.
! In the naval committee the battlesliip
| construction programme is the chief SUD-
continued on Page TwoD