Bismarck daily tribune., 1915-12-07
64TH CONGRESS
C0NVEN[S FOR
GREAT I ] Il SESSION
Session Promises to Be Greatest
Within History of Present
Generation.
OVER 1000 BILLS
TO BE INTRODUCED
Military Preparedness Will Be
Cause Of Great Fight in y
Both Houses.

sembled and organized today for the
session which is expected to be the
greatest within the memory of the
present generation. -Four hours work
in the house saw Speaker Clark re.
turn to the chair;s Representative
Mann returned to the leadership of
the republican minority; the construc-
tion of 1000 bills and resolutions,
many of them proposing measures Of
national defense and many more in op'
position; the reappearance of the con-
stitutional amendment for the enfran-
chisement of women and the minute
rule fight that flickered out with the
adoption of last years rules with a
few changes.
In the senate practically nothing
was done except the reelection Of
Senator Clarke of Arkansas as presi'
dent pro tempore. Vice President
Marshall was absent, on account OF
the illness of his wife.
Both houses then, after sending a
joint committee to the White House
to give official notice OF the opening
of congress, adjourned until tomor-
row, when the real business begins,
with President Wilson's address to a
joint session in the hall of the house,
at 1880 o'clock. N,
Increase Expenditures.
The greatest budget of expenses
ever placed before aH.hmerican con-
gress in times of peace was brought
from the various branches of govern
ment, the total being $170,O00,000
more than was asked for last year.
The greater part of the proposed in.
creased expenditures is for the en-
larging are army and navy program
and, aside from working out the prob
lem of national defense, it will be
the business of congress to raise the
revenue to pay for it.
Military Bills.
In the bills and resolutions that
poured into the hopper were not only
plans for military preparation, but
others proposing investigation of the
motive of them and organizations
which championed national defense.
Notice was given that in the senate
demands would be made for a show
ing of what the United States has &C.
complished against Great Britain's
interference with American commerce
abroad. The entire fabric of the Am.
erican governments delicate confer
ence decided regarding the conflict
across the sea would be the most of
congresses discussion.
Probably after the president has de.
livered his address tomorrow both
houses will proceed to perfect their
organization. Until the workings com
mittee is fully, formed no Legislation
can be undertaken. aall"f
CO. Tribute to Mann.
In his opening address to the house
Speaker Clark paid crlOute to Re.
publican Leader Mann. and predicted
practically continuous session here
after. >... .. '..
81 am profoundly grateful to you for
the nigh honor of the speakership
thrice conferred by your friendship
and partiality," Clark SAID, address
ing the members. "By reason of the
amazing growth of our beloved coun
try and the Jbewildering increase OF
business the time is in sight when
congress will remain practically in
perpetual session. I hope this con-
gress will go into history as a work
ing congress-"
Senator Hoke Smith of Georgia
democrat, gave notice that he would
introduce a resolution to have the
foreign relations committee investi
gate interference with American com
merce by Great Britain. The com
mittee will be asked to suggest to the
senate the action, if any, it may deem
advisable.
The opening of the Sixty-fourth con
gress drew thousands of persons to
the capital. An added attraction to
the usual scenes on the opening day
was q procession of suffragists, who
presented to committee of congress
a petition urging a federal suffrage
amendment.
The petition, which was borne to
the capitol on banner OF White, is
$4,000 feet long and has more than
100000 signatures of voters IN inc
enfranchised states.
Suffragettes Busy.
Woman suffragist brought their de-
mand for. constitutional amendment
to congress again today and renewed
their request for the support of Presl'
dent Wilson.
While the president did not take up
their cause in his annual address to-
morrow as they asked, he promised to
confer with leaders over the amend
ment and from that assurance the wo'
men derived considerable encourage.
ment.
Heretofore the president held THAI
suffrage was state issue. but what
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