The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1915-12-15
NO BIG BUSINESS
BEFORE HOLIDAY
Congress Enjoys Recess Before Real
Work. President Wilson'S Address
Gives Members Food for Thought.
First Forensic Clash.

| Work. President Wilson'S Address
Gives Members Food for Thought.
First Forensic Clash.
Washington, Dec. 12.--Thc first
week of the Sixty-Irourth congress,
which is destined to be historic in the
nations annals, brought about prac-
| tically harmonious organization in
both houses and revealed the deter
mination Of administration leaders to
attempt no serious legislative bust
ness until after the holiday recess.
President Wilson's address was the
most important event Of the week.
The address furnished members Of
both houses with much food for
thought and there were many indi-
! cations that the defense programme
and revenue requirements dealt with
would precipitate long and strenuous
debate.
Owing to the difficulty of reorgan-
| izing the house committees because
of the greatly increased minority, con-
gress could not get down to actual
business. Minority Leader Mann does
not expect to have his committee as
signmcnts ready until Tuesday Con-
gress plans to adjourn Saturday until
January D. Senate Democrats and
Republicans will be ready with their
| committee reorganization TOMORROW,
but there is no disposition in that
branch to undertake consideration of
any important legislation at once.
| some days may be spent in executive
consideration of recess nominations
and perhaps the Nicaraguan treaty.
Early Fight Avoided.
EARLY in The week fight that
might have embarrassed holiday re-
cess plans seemed imminent when it
was proposed that an effort be made
to rcon&ct the emergency war tax law
with amendments before adjournment
would be impossible and administra-
tiCn leaders were confronted with the
| danger that the war tax law would
| lapse on December 81 and long pc
|
gcncy revenue could be collected 1t
was ;hcrcuDon agreed by house lead
CTS, after conference with the ways
and means committee and members
extending the present tax with the
time limitation elimination should be
adopted. \ new bill is to be submit
ted after the new year. Senate Re
no opposition to such a programme.
1t Will be submitted to caucus Of
house Democrats tomorrow night
President Wilson'S vigorous refer
cncc in his annual address OF internal
troubles instigatcd because Of the
european war BY citizens of foreign
birth gave the senate one enlivcncd
day OF debate during the past week.
Senator IIoke Smith Of Georgia in
troduccd Il resolution calling upon the
foreign relations committee TO inveS-
tgate with view to recommending
action on the British blockade against
neutral commerce.
For Wide Inquiry.
The Georgia senator made stir
ring plea for his resolution, which
aroused Senator Lodge of Massachu-
| sets to offer an amendment prOvid-
ing for investigation also Of internal
conSpiracics against the government
and OF the law and facts relating to
! bolligcrcnt destruction Of tho LuSi-
tania and other passenger ships. This
stirring debate was the first brush in
q forensic battle over the war stua
ton and its attendant influences upon
| this country and is certain TO absorb
the attction Of congress for many
months.
Senate Republicans vii confer to-
morrow over comimttcc destinations
recommended by the steering comt
mittcc. i was rcpoit led last niglI
! !hat Progressive Republicans would
protest against l.c defeat Of Senator
Kenyon Of Iowa for place on the
! foreign relation committee, but this
does not seem likely now.
| -.--------",