The Kendrick gazette. [volume] (Kendrick, Idaho) 1892-1968, 1915-12-10
Congress Again
in Session
Expect to be Most Signifi-
cant Within Generations
Memory.

Washington, Dec. 6.-Congress
assembled and organized today for
the session which is expected to be
the greatest within the memory of
the present generations.
Four hours work in the house
saw Speaker Clark returned to the
chair; Representative Mann return
ed to the leadership of the republic
can minority; the introduction of
1000 bills and resolutions, many of
them proposing measures of nation
al defense and many more in op-
position; the temperance of con-
stitutional amendments to enfran-
chise women and miniature rules
fight that flickered out with the
adoption of last years rules with a
few changes.
In the senate practically nothing
was done except the election of Sena-
tor Clarke of Arkansas as president
pro tempore. Vice-President Mar
shall was absent because of the ILL
ness of his wife.
Both houses then, after sending
joint committee to the White House
to give official notice of the opening
of congress, adjourned until tomor-
row when the real business of the
session begins with President Will
sons address to a joint session in
the hall of the house at 1890
o'clock.
The greatest buget of expendi-
lures ever placed before any Ameri-
can congress in times of peace was
brought in from the various branch
es of the government, the total being
some one hundred and seventy mil
lion dollars more than was asked for
last year. The great part of the
proposed increased expenditures is
for the enlarged army and navy
programs and aside from working
out the problem of national defense,
it will be the business of congress
to raise the revenue to pay for it.
Old timers, most of them republi-
cani, reelected after going down
with the presidential landslide of
1912, came trooping back to pla laces
in the house eager for a part in the
absorbing business of the next few
months.
"Uncle Joe" Cannon sat on a
bench in the front row and laughed
while the house got into it's little
row over the rules and hot refer
ences to "Cannonism" went back
and fourth across the dividing aisle.
Even though today was only a
field day. one for making new ac-
quaintances and renewing old ones,
the congressional air was charged
with the seriousness of the business
of the months ahead. the business
of legislating for nation at peace
in world fame with war and
surrounded with almost endless
possibilities.
In the stream of bills and resolu-
tions that poured into the hopper
were not only plans for military
preparedness, but others proposing
investigation of the motives Of men
and organizations who champion
rational defense.
Notice was given that in the SEN
ate demands would be made for a
showing of what the United States
has accomplished against Great Bri-
tain's interference with American
commerce abroad. The entire fabric
of the American governments deli
cate relation to the conflict across
the seas probably will be brought
to the edge of congressional discuss
ion and the administration leaders
are not unmindful of their tasks to
preserve a united America.
After the president has delivered
his address tomorrow, both houses
will proceed to perfect their organi-
cations. Until the working commit
tees are fully formed no legislation
can'be undertaken. While the house
democrats are organized, the repub-
lican assignments will not be made
before the end Of the week. The
senate democratic assignments will
be announced later in the week.
The republicans began their part
of the organization work today, re-
electing Senator Gallinger their floor
leader and chairman of their con-
ference. Although some of the
principal bills upon which the ad-
ministration forces will be concen-
trated will be introduced soon, none
of them can be taken up until the
committee organizations are COM
leted.
The first roll call in the house to-
day showed APT members present
and eight absentees- one of them
accounted for by death. The demo-