Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1915-12-08

some Of the Presidents suggestions for
increasing revenues. His concluding
suggestion relating to an inquiry into
railroad laws was received with inter-
est administration leaders already had
Undertaken TO carry out the proposal
The transportation problems the
President said is an extremely seri-
Gus and pressing one in this country.
/ There has from time to time of late
been reason to fear that our railroads
would not much longer be able to cope
with il successfully as at present
equipped and co-ordinated. suggest
that il would be wise to provide for
a commission of inquiry to ascertain
by thorough canvass Of the whole
question whether our laws as at pres
ent framed and administered are as
serviceable as they might be in the
solution of the problem"
Keen interest in the Presidents ad-
dress was shown by the foreign rep
resentatives in the diplomatic galleries
where every embassy and legation was
represented All appeared pleased with
the message and the Latin-Americans
expressed special qualification over the
( references to Pan-Americanism.
1t was the clearest definition ever
made of this countrys Pan-American
policy" said Eduardo SuareZ- Mujica,
ambassador from Chile. Definitions of
this policy and of the Monroe Doctrine
have been made before but they have
not been clear-have been. in fact.
bit vague. Now, the position of this
I country is made so clear that none need
be In doubt
DR. Eusebio A Morales. minister of
Panama said. The statement of Pres
ident Wilson in reference TO Pan-Ameri-
canlsm and its true meaning will find
an enthusiastic response in the whole
continent and will make stronger the
ties Of brotherhood which now unite
the nations Of America"
In the executive gallery. as the Pres
ident spoke. was his fiancee, Mrs. Nor
man Gait. whose first appearance al the
capitol since announcement of the Pres
( idents engagement attracted close at
tention from the crowds. The address
was practically the only business Of the
day in both houses. Each adjourned
until Friday TO give time for the com
pletion Of working committees In the
Dri+T time InS SENATE WIS III itIi'
more than 1900 bills and resolutions
were offered MEASURES dealing with
preparedness prohibition. suffrage and
prevention of sale Of war munitions 10
belligerent nations predominated.
Crowds Arrive Early
The House galleries We're packed
three hours before the time for Presl-
dent Wilson to deliver his annual ad-
dress and hundreds who had failed t.
SCI the coveted tickets Of admission
lined the corridors of the Capitol or
stood on the plaza outside to get
glimpse OF the President as he passed
in
There were unusual arrangements TO
preserve order. only those who MAD
tickets Of admission were permitted TO
90 - the upper galleries, and an elus-
i've rumCr Of some sort of a woman
cuffragIsl demonstration brought out
extra guards which We're SprinKled
among the spectators and in the cOrrl-
doris through which the President had
IL pass number of men Were placed
al commanding positions III the CALLER
les
officials were silent about the prep
8ra tons but it was said al the Capitol
that word Of q plan Of some OF ~"
moro militant suffragists - make
demonstration had come 10 light. II
was said that lawyers representing th7
women had made al examination OF
the preceGcats governing contempt in
the House, ana from that action off,
ciaIs suspected that something was
beng planned.
When IL" galleries had been filled
with the usual visitors, the official pa
ties came in. Mrs. Calf, The President :
4iancee, and her party, took the exec
utive gallery. Other reserved places
were occupied by government officials
and their wives. The diplomatic gallery
was unusually well filed. the Latin
American members being largely rep
resented.
Just before 1880 O'Clock, the mem
bers Of the Senate. marching two by
two. went over TO the House chamber
and took seats reserved for them IN
the front rows OF the benches. Commit
tees had been appointed TO meet toe
President on his entrance 70 the bui'd-
ing and take him to the Speakers
room. where he awaited the moment
for entering the House chamber.
Just after 1880 O'Clock the President
took his place at the clerks desk. with
his manuscript in hand ready ID be-
gin Everybody in the House, floors
and galleries alike, rose and cheered.
Begins Reading
Then a tense silence settled down
over the hall as the President began
reading in a low even voice. which
could be heard everywhere, Reference
to all parts Of the American continent,
standing, SO far as we are concerned,
on a footing of genuine equality
aroused the first applause. Then the
allusion TO the United States and, but
not coercion" of Mexico evoked more
enthusiasm.
/ Many Of the audience followed the
address from a printed copy.
/ Mrs. Gait watched the President
closely but occasionally glanced over
the public galleries.
/ Another burst of applause followed
the reference to setting America aside
as a whole for the uses of the indie
pendent nations and American free
men"
/ Many nodded assent as the Presi-
dent referring to the war of nations"