Norwich bulletin., 1916-12-05
President to Read
 His Message Today
AT JOINT SESSION OF CONGRESS
 AT NOON A
EFFORT TO SPEED UPn
House Leader Agrees to Shorten the Christmas Holiday Recsss-sessions to Begin at 10 A. M. Instead of at Noon.

Washington, Dec 4.-Congress re- convened today for d three months session with a calendar overcrowded With general legislation, facing rail- Ioao re1orms and the high cost of Iiv- Ing as new issues, and confronted with unprecedented estimates aggregating Sl,654,Sl9.654 to meet expenditures of the government for the fiscal year 1918.
 Both houses adjourned early as a mark of respect to the late Senator Clarke of Arkansas and Resident Commissioner Rivera of Porto Rico, both of whom died since tke September adjournment Joint Session Today to Hear Messaoe.
 Tomorrow there will be a joint ses- sion in. the hall of the house to hear the address of President Wilson, which will contain recommendations for Ieo
 isiatlon sought by the administration
 before the 9th congress dies, March next. That railroad legislation to sup
 pIement the Adamson act will be urged
 by the president as the most important
 problem before the congress at this
 time is generally expected
 Legislation in Demand.
 Besides railroad legislation, there is strong public demand for some legis-
 lative action to curb the soaring prices
 or food. In addition to appropriation
 measures, which always take time and
 must be passed, there are other issues
 to be dealt with. The senat- has the
 immigration bill, the corrupt practices
 bill further to limit campaign contris
 buttons. and expenditures. the Webb
 o1li to grant authority to domestic corporations for maintenance of col- lect1ve foreign selling agencies, con- servation and other measures An. investigation into expenditures Of the recent national campaign is
 proposed and Senator Owen of Okla homa will introduce a joint resolution directing that such an inquiry be in- stituted at once.
 Speed Up" Program in House. Nasty conferences of house leaders today convinced 8 majority that a speed up" program advocated bv Speaker Clark will be adopted. Ma, jority Leader Kitchin joined with the speaker in declaring that the usual l long Christmas holiday should be dis pensed with and an earlier meeting hour than noon, probably 10 o'clock, set. As the committees virtually com pleted their work In the last session. there is no reason, it Is pointed out why the morning hours should not be | devoted to floor work.
 Matters Left to Executive. Although food embargo proposals are certain to create much discussion, few leaders are inclined to believe that any of them will be enacted into law Representative Kitchin thinks, too. that investigation of the high cost of | living will be leftst to the executive de- partments.
 Adamson WiII Pilot Railway Measures It is regarded as doubtful that any | of the presidents railway legislat ton program will reach the fioor before Christmas. Representative Atkinson. chairman of the interstate commerce committee, who will pilot the measures. said tonight that he would spend the Christmas holidays at home regardless | of any adjournment agreement. Will Urge Report on Universal Suffraoe Representative Baker will urge an | early report on his universal suffrage l measure now held in the judiciary committee.
 Three New Senators to Be Inauqursted Inauguration of three new senators | who appeared with their credentials | was postponed until tomorrow because | or the desire to adjourn in respect to | the memory of Senator Clarke, the late
 president pro tempore. The new sen | ators, Watson of Indiana, Fernald of
 Maine and Kirby of Arkansas, were | given seats in the chamber
 Democratic Conferences Today. Democrats of the senate plan to | hold conferences tomorrow to consider | the matter of a new president pro l tempore, but a party caucus probably will not be held until later in the l week. Senators most prominently mentioned for the place are Walsh of Montana, Pomerene of Ohio and l Salisbury of Delaware.