Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1916-12-05
SHORT SESSION
Of FCONCRESS0N
Big Appropriation Bills to
Have Right of Way Till
They Are Passed

Washington, D. c., Dec. 4.-Congress
assembled promptly at noon today for
the short session which will mark the
closing of President Wilson's first
term.
| With crowded program of legisla-
ton, foremost in which is the presi-
dents plan for railroad legislation, SEN
ators and representatives settled down
to work as Speaker Clark and Vice
President Marshall brought down the
gavels
Today's opening was marked by the
usual flood Of bills and resolutions.
The energies of the administration
leaders were at once concentrated on
the passage Of the big supply bills nee
essary for the conduct Of the govern
ment.
Speaker Clarke declared the next
house, on the basis of the last cleo
ton, would show at least PIG demo
Gratis without Scully of New Jersey or
Beakes of Michigan. He conceded 213
to the republicans. These figures do
not include the independent group Of
four which with the two in doubt make
a total Of 435.
The senate recessed until 3 o'clock
to reconvene for the swearing in Of
three new members, Watson of Indi-
ana. Fernald of Main and Kirby of Ar
kansas. An adjournment until noon
tomorrow as a mark Of respect for the
late Senator Clarke of Arkansas was
next on the program.
In the house. members stood and
cheered when Speaker Clarke dropped
his gavel. Galleries were only partly
filed and a threatened invasion by suf-
fragists failed to materialize. Demo
cratic Leader Kitchin and Republican
Leader Mann met in the middle of the
chamber and exchanged greetings.
T. W. Harrison. democrat. OF Vir-
ginia. was seated as successor to Rep
resentative Hay. who retired. Resolu-
tions on the deaths of Resident Com
missioner Rivera of Porto Rico and
Senator Clarke Of Arkansas were
adopted
Representatives Kitchin. Fitzgerald
and Mann were appointed a committee
to join Senator'S Kern and GalIinger to
go to the white house to notify Presi-
dent Wilson that congress was in ses-
sion, in accordance with custom. The
house then followed the lead Of the
senate and adjourned until p. m. to
wait the return Of the committee.
AWAIT WILSON MESSAGE.
Both houses on reconvening adopted
resolutions to meet in joint session at
o'clock tomorrow afternoon to hear
President Wilson deliver his address
and then adjourned.
Z The senate decided to postpone
swearing new senators until tomorrow
because Senator-elect Kirby did not
wish to take the oath until the senate
had been officially notified Of the death
Of former Senator Clarke.
To Appropriate Huge Sums.
Estimates of the expense of all
branches of the government for the
fiscal year 1918, for which the session
of congress assembling today must ap-
propriate funds, total $1.26S.715,S34.
This sum Is exclusive Of $325,355-
$40 to be appropriated for the postal
service which is expected to be return
ed to the treasury by postal revenue
and sinking fund appropriation of
$60.7 As, 900 toward the public debt.
The total appropriations for the fls-
cal year 1917 ending next June, exclu-
sive of these two items, were $1,1S4-
1851.
The, increase of some $S4,O00,0OO
represents the general trend OF the
constantly increased cost of govern
ment as well as the increased cost Of
living. Increases in compensation and
in numbers of employees are to be
found in the estimates Of all branches
of the government and to meet that
tendency administration officials have
attempted policy of pairing down all
proposals for new projects with the ex-
ceptions of national defense, expendi.
lures to meet the growth of the coun-
try and the many burdens thrust upon
the United States by the war.
The estimates laid before congress
today by the treasury department fol.
low:
...$ 13.524.479