Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1915-12-13
NO SERIOUS BUSINESS
UNTIL AFTER HOLIDAYS
First Week of Congress Brings About
harmonious Organization in
Both Houses.
ONE ENLIvENED DAY OF DEBATE
President Wilson's Address Outlining
Urgent Legislative Needs, Fur
nishes Members With Much Food
for Thought ON Issues to Arise.

w ASlllNtiTON, December l2--'rhe
first week of the Sixty fourth Congress.
destined to be historic In the nations
annals brought about practically
harmonious organization in both houses
and revealed the administration lead
crS' determination to attempt no Sc
rious Legislative business until the
holiday recess is over.
President Wilson'S address to Con-
GrcSS OH Tuesday. with it's suggestions
for national preparedness. denuncia-
ton OF internal conspirators against
neutrality Of the government, warn
ing of the necessity for Increased rev
"nu"s and outline of other urgent
Legislative needs. stood out as the most
important event Of the week. The adj
dress furnished members of both
houses with much food for thought
and there We're Indications on every
hand that Tie defense program and
revenue requirements would prcCipi-
tate long and strenuous debate.
Owing 10 the difficulty of re-organiz-
ing the House committees, because of
til. greatly Increased minority, Con
GrcSS could not get them down to ac-
tual business. Minority Leader Mann
does not expect to have his committee
assignments ready until TUESDAY. and
little can h" done before Saturday.
when Congress- plans to adjourn until
January for the Christmas holidays
10th Democrats and Republicans of
the senate Will be ready with their
COMMITTEE" rcorGanizatiOu tomorrow
hut there is no disposition in that
branch to undertake consideration Of
any important legislation at once.
PRESENT WAR TAX EXTENDED
WITH TIME LIMIT CIT OUT
EARLY in the week fight that might
have embarrassed holiday recess plans
seemed Imminent WREN IT was pro-
posed thai an effort be made TO re-
enact the emergency war tax law with
amendments before adjournment. I'm
mediitcly II Was disclosed that this
wouii bc impossible. and administers
ION leaders w"r. confronted with The
danger that the war tax law would
lapse on december 81 and Il long
period would follow in which no
emergency revenue could bc collected
II was thcreupOD agreed by House
leaders. after conference with the
Ways and Means Committee and mem
hcrS of the Senate that - Join, r.so-
luton extending the present war tax
with The Time limitation eliminated
should he adopted, new bill with pro
vision for increased revenues to be
submitted after the New Year. senate
Republican leader. hay" agreed 10 of
fer no opposition To such a prograiu
u VIII he submitted 10 Il caucus Of
House Democrats tomorrow night. and
probably Will be passed in the House
on "Wednesday getting into Tie Senate
on Thursday. 30 further important
business is anticipated before adjourn
ment.
President Wilson'S vigorous refer
en"cs In his anmua! address 10 troubles
within the borders of the United states
lhStigitcd because OF TIA" Europcan
war 10y citizens Of foreign birth served
TO give the Senate one cnlivcncd day
OF debate during the past week Sen
ator iiokc Smith. of Georgia intro
duccd a resolution calling upon the
Foreign Relations Committee 10 in
vcstieatc the british blockade against
neutral commerce. The Georgia San
ai"r made stirring: plea Tor his rcso-
luton. which aroused senator i.odrr
o: massachusetts to offer an amend
ncnt providing for Investigation also
OF internal conspirocies against the
government and OF the law and facts
relating 10 O"!ligcrcnt destruction Of
the IuSititnia aud other passenger
ships. This stirring debate on these
resolutions was tie first brush in a
forensic battle over the Eurtpcan war
situation. and all its attendant in
Nu"nceS upon this country that is Ger
tain To absorb the attention Of Con
sress tor many months
Senate Republicans vii! confer to-
morrow on committee designations
recommended by the Steering Commit
tee. 1t was reported last night that
progressive Republicans would pro-
test against the defeat Of senator
Kenyon OF Iowa. for Il place on tho
Foreign Relations Committees bul this
does not seem likely now