New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-12-07
= Debate on Proceed
Blocks Business in
lower Chamber.
TVLSOM DELIVERS
MESSAGE TO-DAY
Members Introduce More than
500 Bills, Including Greatest
Budget in Time of Peace.
nron TIE Tdbun. Buvsu.l


Washington, Dec. 6.-CongreSs
opened to-day for what is expected to
be one Of the hottest and most bitterly
fought sessions in its history without
he promised attempt TO put cloture
through In the Senate. but with q Bat
Re in the House that almost developed
j. flibuster and prevented the compile
non of the routine before getting down
% business. President Wilson will
read his message tomorrow 20 both
|houses, assembled in the Chamber OF
Representatives, and IL will be Wednes-
DAY before real work is begun.
The opening in the Senate was pure
" formal. In the absence Of Vice
President Marshall the body was called
20 order by the clerk, and Senator Mar
tin was called to the chair by unani-
nous consent on motion OF Senator
Kern. After the new Senators had
been sworn IN Senator Kern nominated
Senator Clarke, Of Arkansas, for re-
election as president pro TEN. Sena-
TOR Lodge moved the substitution OF
Senator Gallinger, of New Hampshire.
The amendment being defeated on a
iva voce vote, Senator Clarke was
lected.
After taking his seat Senator Clarke
lade short speech, saying; "This
cnor comes to me under circumstances
.hich make 1t particularly agreeable.
his reference to the bitter fight which
1-. Clarke had won in the Democratic
Gus by a vote of % to % was greeted
With quiet chuckles on the Republican
side. because of the knowledge that
ta-mony was so absolutely lacking on
ne Democratic side.
Republicans Fail TO Vote.
When the final vote on the resolution
vas taken the Republicans kept silent,
living registered their vote on the
odge substitute which would have in
scrted the name of Gallinger. Their
silence when the noes" were called
rermitted several deep noes on the
Democratic side to be heard. Senator
Clarke heard them and laughed. Soma
sors Kern and Gallinger conducted
senator Clarke TO the chair.
After the appointment of committees
10 advise the President and House that
the Senate was prepared to begin busl-
ness a recess was taken to await SINH
lar notice from the House. At $3.50
o'clock, when the Senate reconvened,
and at 4 o'clock. after another recess,
the House had not yet organized and
the Senate adjourned without having
transacted any business.
Meantime the House had been worry
ing through tsngle such as the small
Democratic majority is likely TO make
customary at this session. Roll call
after roll call was demanded and taken,
and the business of organization pro-
ceded at snaiPs pace. After champ
Clark had been reelected Speaker by d
strict party vote over James X. Mann
and the House organization completed
the attempt was made 20 readopt the
rules. A fight developed, Representa-
tive Lindberg demanding a rule which
would make it impossible TO keep any
measure in committee over two weeks.
Ii was only after tedious discussion,
interspersed with roll calls, and lasting
until after o'clock. that the rules
were finally adopted. A flood of bills
was introduced and the House &C
journed.
Lodge steers" Republicans.
Earlier in the day Senate Republi
cans in conference had decided to con-
tinue Senator Gallinger as floor leader
and TO make Senator Wadsworth, the