Evening star., 1914-04-20

Congress Ready to Grant
Request of the President
for Use of Armed Forces
Every preparation to rush through
Congress authorization for the Presi-
dent to use the army and navy of the
United States In dealing with Mexico.
and to support him in whatever he may
request. was made in the Senate and
House today.
1t was planned to introduce a concur
rent resolution in both houses immedi-
ately after the President finishes the
reading of his message, providing what
ever Legislation is necessary to carry
out his plans.
House leaders today believe the resolu-
tion will authorize the President to
blockade Mexican ports and take what
ever military measures are necessary
10 protect American lives and property
Representative Underwood after hay-
ing talked with Chairman Flood. and
with the White House. presented a
1orma1 resolution few minutes after
the House convened. calling for the
Joint session at o'clock
me House had an unusually large
number OF members in it at the time Rep
the prayer of the chaplain is heard by
ABOUT twenty members. But owing TO the
interest arising from the large part the
House will have to play in the next move
IN Mexico. fully 200 members We're in their
seats at noon. and in place of the loud
noises and confusion which frequently
mark gatherings of the House, there was
an unusual stiffness.
Senate Excitement Suppressed.
When the Senate met there was an in
dication of suppressed excitement. Rou-
tine business was transacted preparatory
to arrangements for the joint session. The
action of the House adopting the resolu-
tion for a joint session was reported to
the Senate few minutes after noon. and
a similar resolution was adopted BY the
Senate
a bill to appropriate 1900 coo to be
expended by the President was introduced
by Senator Chamberlain. chairman of the,
military affairs committee. to which the
bill was referred. The bill provides:
That the President of the United
States be. and he is hereby. authorized
10 expend in his discretion for the ma
tional defense and for each and every
purpose connected Herewith the sum of
SJ0,O0o.oOO out of any moneys in the
Treasury not otherwise appropriated.
which sum shall remain available until
expended"
This is identical to the bill passed be-
fore the war with Spain in 1895
Would Enumerate Offenses.
Senator shiveley called a meeting of
the foreign relations committee after the
cabinet had met Some senator's were
prepared to urge that any resolutions
adopted by Congress should specifically
provide for the protection of the lives
nd Of fif 4S he
states and other foreigners in Mexico
Among senators and representatives
there We're several informal discussions
Of a proposal 10 include. in whatever reso-
!ution is adopted to meet the Mexican
situation which the President presents,
specific reference to outrages that have
been perpetrated against American cit
lzens IN Mexico Many legislators be-
heve that in authorizing the President to
the armed forces of the United
States to uphold the dignity of the gov
ernment that the Tampico incident should
not alone be considered as the basis for
action. hut that the killing of American
citizens should be emphasized.
The House appropriations committee
viii not initiate legislation to appropriate
funds for the use of the President in
the Mexican emergency until it learns
the wishes of the President in that re-
spect. The committee was In session to-
day. but considering only the sundry
civil appropriation bill When the
House convened Chairman Fitzgerald
had not been advised whether the Presi-
dent wished any emergency fund placed
at his disposal by Congress.
House Galleries damned.
AS result of hurried trip to the
railroad station to confer with Speaker
clark. who had been out of town, about
the arrangements for attending to the
big crowd expected. Doorkeeper Sinnott
Of the House had all the galleries closed
10 all except those who bore special re-
served cards. The crowd began arriving
t,e.ore 10 O'Clock. but none was let into
the galleries until an hour later.
Not dissenting vote was registered In
the House against the resolution calling
Congress in joint session to receive
shall he pleased to make. 1t was
solemn and quiet House that voiced a
subdued but determined AYE" In reply
to the Speakers question.
The House was grave of face and
mien as IT stood while Chaplain Henry
II. Couden offered the prayer that
opened the session. The chaplain
brought home the situa tiou in his plea
when he said
Chaplain Couden's Prayer
~ God question Of grave conse-
quence confronts us here today \
crisis which affects thousands of peo-
pie must be met. Impart to the Presi-
dent. his advisers and the members of
this Congress wisdom. courage and for
titude that they may act in accordance
with the highest conceptions of truth
and justice and right. SO that civiIiZa- =
lion may be advanced and things which
make for peace and righteousness ma y
progress.
The silence that greeted the prayer CON
tinued as Representative Underwood
arose in his place and presented the reso-
luton fixing 3 O'Clock as the hour for
the joint session.
The President Of the United States"
he said gravely. has advised me that he
desires TO communicate to congress tn $
afternoon. I therefore offer the following
resolution and ask its immediate .adop-
ton
House Vote Unanimous.
When the resolution was read and the
question pat. not a no was heard. The
nsst lsslativs act looking toward ths