The Detroit times., 1915-12-06

decade Since adjournment OF the
sixty-third congress last March a
score OF new and vital questions
have arisen in addition to many left
over Continuation OF this session
~ell into next summer as predicted
by veteran legislators.
There were the usual mammoth
crowds n. b;th senate and house gal
leries. representing the eyes of a
hundred million Americans. Today's
actual business was confined TO the
routine Of swearing in new members.
organization OF both houses and mott
fcation of the president OF the new
legislative epoch.
AS complemented today, the result
of congressional elections in Novem-
Der, 1914. the democratic majority in
the senate was increased from l3 to
l6. In the house IL was reduced from
143 10 "a. The new senate lineup to-
day was: Democrats. Sc: Republicans.
40. The new house: Democrats. 229;
Republicans. l96; Progressives 4;
Socialists, /; independents, |. and
vacant l. The last house had ESQ
Democrats. l25 Republicans. II Pro
gressives and Independent For
the first time since the sixty-second
congress the Socialist party was
again represented today. Meyer
London. OF New York. being the
member.
Reelection OF President Wilson
and continued Democratic control OF
the nations destinies was conceded
| by most Legislators 10 hang upon the
results of this session. Political
flavor was added 20 the day by the
presence in Washington CO the Dem
ocratic national committee, which
meets tomorrow TO decide the time
and place of the 1916 Democratic ma
tional convention. A week later the
Republican natioral committee
meets here for the same purpose.
The reconvening of congress was
heralded among all party leaders as
marking the opening OF the 1916
political campaign.
Both legislative and political inter
est centered in the administration
I billion-dollar national defense pro-
gram. Whether democratic opposi-
ton would defeat the presidents
/ plans and also cause a breach in
democratic solidarity for the next
campaign, caused much discussion.
| Chairmen of the national and mill
/ tary committees hau the bills prac-
, ticalls drafted and ready for early
/ Introduction.
Presentation 10 congress today of
the annual appropriation estimates
/ insured another billion dollar con-
gress. Increased expenditures for
/ the navy and army preparedness pro-
gram bulged the requests.
/ Unusual spectacular features OF
| today's opening ceremonies Offset
the undertone Of profundity Woman
suffrage workers stormed the capitol.
Galleries were ablaze with yellow
tpennants. In corridors and Offices,
workers buttolhoied congressman.
The return TO public life today OF
many Republican political warehouses;
vas another feature. Among those
who came back were: Uncle Joe
Cannon. Nick Longworth, Cy Sullo-
way, OF New Hampshire. Senator
Curtis, OF Kansas. and representa-
rives Hill, OF Connecticut, Mckinley,
Sterling and Rodenberg, OF Illinois,
and Loud, of Michigan.
Gallery ha5itues missed many
familiar faces, including those of
former Senators Root, Burton, Bris-
tow and Uncle Ike Stephenson; and
those OF Representatives Payne,
Calder, BarthoIdt. Floyd, of Arkan.
sas; Levy. of New York: Palmer. OF
Pennsylvania: Donovan, OF Connect
cut, 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 Lon
don, the sole socialist. and Repre-
sentative Martin. of Louisiana,
Progressive.
An avalanche OF bills. resolutions
and petitions swamped both senate
and house clerks. There were thou
sands OF the balls, on every conceiv-
able legislative subject. Especially
noticeable were those proposing yari
Gus war measures. The government
printing Office will be unable TO
handle the 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
opened at 10 q M with long lines
Of people waiting. Admission on the
house side was by card only. Each
member was given two cards.
Fond mothers. wives and sweet.
hearts OF members looked down as
the oaths were administered FEM
mine hnery and furs lent a touch OF
color 10 the massed galleries. Wo-
men spectators were in the majority.
a sp1nkllng OF diplomats occupied
their specially reserved galleries.
The White House reserved sections
were also occupied by members and
guests OF the presidents household.