Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-10-23

The House, after a vigorous struggle
throughout the day, was fully prepared
for final adjournment. Early in the day
the war revenue bill conference report
had been agreed 10 after brief debate.
Then Majority Leader Underwood
brought in the resolutions for the routine
or final adjournment.
The supporters of the cotton relief
measures announced that they would
fight adjournment unless they could be
assured of action on the currency amend
ments and on the cotton warehouse BILL
Majority Leader Underwood. however.
aided by Republican Leader Mann, gath
cred his forces together and. before the
rapidly melting quorum of the House
disappeared the final adjournment resolu-
ton and a resolution authorizing the APP
pointment of committee to notify the
President that Congress was ready to adj
journ were passed, BY roll call votes fore
ed by the cotton belt representatives.
This put the entire question of adjourn
ment up to the Senate.
The House then resumed consideration
of the Glass bill to authorize banks to
issue circulation on commercial paper up
to 100 per cent. of the banks capital and
surplus. Republican Leader Mann op-
posed the bill and forced several roll
calls on points of no quorum, causing de-
lay which it was hoped would prevent
final vote before o'clock. when adj
| journment was expected. The bill was f.
/ nally passed to its third reading on a
roll call. AS soon as the quorum appear
| ed the Speaker signed the enrolled war
hill ,lap Of he laa
for adjournment were complete. At 5
O'Clock Rep Mann forced another roll
call, confident that before it establish
ed quorum the Senate would have
passed the adjournment resolution ending
| the session.
Alfalfa Bill Murray of Oklahoma
entertained the scanty membership by
organizing bipartisan quartet
which rendered Good Night, Ladies"
and other ballads of farewell. The
House took on a holiday aspect. When
six o'clock arrived the hands of the
clock were turned back 20 minutes.
The quartet who had grown to a
chorus evoked applause with phe-
nomenal rendition of How Dry
Am"
Then Majority Leader Underwood
entered the chamber. After a whis-
pered conference with the Speaker he
announced that all hope Of final ad-
| journment was lost. and that with no
| prospect of securing quorum in the
| House before election day there was
| nothing to be done, but to adjourn
until tomorrow. And the hundred or
| more representatives who had been
waiting with their grips in the cloak
rooms and their trunks at the I'm
| ion station, filed dejectedly out of
the chamber. Some left Washington
despite the situation while others can
| celled their reservations.
| The cotton states leaders Of both
sides of the capitol asserted that they
would continue their fight tomorrow.
/ President Wilson remained at the
capitol for a few minutes after sign
ing the war revenue bill, but made
no comment on the failure of Con-
gress to adjourn. Earlier in the day,
he had expressed the hope that some
of the cotton relief bills might be
| passed.
| The war revenue bill is expected to
yield about ss0.o00.oO0 as finally enacted.
The taxes on beer and wine go into effect
tomorrow, but the tobacco tax, which
does not become effective until November
1, and the stamp taxes, will date from
| Dec. /.