The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1915-12-06
COnYeneS;;
M!aijol'r'iI|.'tlyIs Is

Majority Is 25
billion dollar national defense pro-
gram. Whether Democratic opposi-
ton would defeat the presidents
plans and also cause breach in
Democratic solidarity for the next
campaign, caused much discussion.
Chairmen Of the naval and military
committees had the bills practically
drafted and ready for early intro
Another Billion Dollar Congress.
Presentation to congress today of
the annual appropriation estimates
insured another billion-dollar con-
gress. Increased expenditures for
the navy and army preparedness
bulged the requests. -~: =.
Unusual spectacular features Of to-
days opening ceremonies offset the
undertone of profundity. Woman
suffrage workers stormed the capitol.
Galleries were ablaze with yellow
pennants. In corridors and offices,
workers buttonholed congressm en-.
The return to public life today of
many Republican political warehouses;
was another feature. Among those
who came back were: "Uncle Joe''
Cannon, Nick Longworth, Cy. Sullo-
way of New Hampshire, Senator Cur
tbs of Kansas, and Representatives
Hill of Connecticut, Mckinley, Ster-
ling and Rodenberg of Illinois and
Loud of Michigan.
Schall, Blind Representative.
Gallery habitues missed many ia
miliar faces, including those of for
mer Senators Root, Burton, Bristow
and Uncle Ike Stephenson, and those
OF Representatives Payne, Calder,
Bartholdt, Floyd of Arkansas, Levy
OF New York, Palmer of Pennsyl-
vania, Donovan of Connecticut and
Stanley of Kentucky, now governor.
Among others commanding popu-
lar attention were: Representative
Schall of Minnesota, the only-blind
member of the house; Meyer London,
the sole socialist, and Representative
Martin of Louisiana, a Progressive.
Thousands Of Bills.
An avalanche of bills, resolutions
and petitions swamped both senate
and house clerks. There were thou
sands of the bills, on every conceiv-
able legislative subject. Especially
noticeable were those proposing va
rious war measures. The government
printing office will be unable to ham
dleathe landslide of documents for
several days. ~
:, There. was the: usual scramble for
seats to view the opening. The gal
lery crush was terrific. An hour be-
fore the session opened, practically
every seat was filled. The doors op-
ened at 10 a. M, with long lines of
people waiting. Admission on the
house side was by card only. Each
was given two cards.
Many Women Present.
Fond mothers, wives and sweet
hearts of members looked down as
the oaths were administered. Fem
mime ffnery and furs lent a touch of
color to the massed galleries. Women
spectators were in the majority. A
sprinkling of diplomats occupied
their specially reserved galleries.
The White, House reserved sections
were also occupied by members and
guests of the presidents household.
of persons couldn't get in.
Senatorial dignity put a damper on
demonstrations in the senate. Flow
ers were sent to the desks of many.
The subdued hum of repressed ex-
element in the senate was in sharp
contrast to the clamor and tumult
in the house.
Business Tomorrow.
Tomorrow, real business will be-
gin. Committee assignments are
practically completed and initial
measures drafted. First on the pro-
gram is the extension of the emer-
gency war tax, which expires Dec
81. This is expected to be followed
shortly by resolution extending
present duties on sugar, which is
scheduled to go on the free list next
May.
1900 CHILDREN -.