The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-12-04
PLENTY OF WORK
Continued from page IL

ceived by members Of Congress and u,
the White House. In every case it is
argued that the increased cost Of liv-
ing in the United States demands a re-
striction of shipments abroad. So far
as has been disclosed President Will
son and members Of the cabinet have
no plans for acting on the subject, but
1t Is known that various members OF
Congress intend to push the subject
and it may develop fight. Chairman
Fitzgerald. of the appropriations com.
mittee, already has announced his in.
tention Of introducing bill for food
embargo.
Woman suffragists, renewing their
fight for passage of the Susan B. An.
thony amendment to the constitution,
have laid all the lines for their cam.
paign, and it is possible that their de-
mands may be crowded into the short
time Congress has to deal with an i'm.
portant budget of legislation. Prohi
bitionists, no less ardent than the suf-
fragists, in their demand for federal
amendment, are expected to begin
their fight anew.
The first day of the session never
sees much business done. Reelected
members get congratulations: defeat.
ed ones receive condolences; majority
and minority leaders receive ovatiOns
as they walk down the aisle. Caller
les are crowded with wives and friends
OF members who join in the demonstra-
tons of hand clapping and cheering
as their favorites take their seats; ex-
cept in the Senate where a dignified
calm prevails. A few formalities mixed
with few informalities always com.
pose the first days business and then
the House as well as the Senate adj.
iourns until tomorrow to hear Presi-
dent Wilson deliver his annual ad.
dress.
In accordance with the custom he
set at the beginning of his term, Presi.
dent Wilson will read his address from
the clerks desk in the Hall of the
House while Senators and Representa-
tives are assembled before him on the
benches. Members of the diplomatic
corps hear him from their places in the
reserved seats on the floor. The Pres.
dents message is about 1000 words
long; is purely a discussion of domes.
tic isNues. the state of the union"
and gives first prominence to the rail.
way situation.
Today's opening marks the closing
of mans monopoly of membership in
the House of Representatives In the
next Congress the clerks and the
pages and the Speaker will be calling:
1.-THE Lady from Montana"
Miss jeanette Rankin, Republican.
~ al 10 l.
pected to be in her seat then. She
does not sit in the present session
although many uniformed expected
TO see her today-but comes in with
the new Congress. When she does ar.
rive the House will be confronted with
revising its own rules to give her a
place on the floor.
In the Senate there were three new
members TO take the oath of office,
James L. Watson. of Indiana, Republi.
can, takes the unexpired term of the
late Senator Shively, Democrat. who
was temporarily succeeded by Thomas
Taggart. Bert N. Fernald, Republf
can, of Maine, was elected to the va
cancy caused by the death Of Senator
Burleigh. William F. Kirby, Demo.
crat, of Arkansas. was elected to fill
the unexpired term of the late Senator
Clarke.
While the organization fight in the
House does not come until the assem-.
bling Of the next Congress, the Sen.
ate probably will see some political
generalship in the selection of a sue.
cessor of Senator Clarke as president
pro tempore. Senators who have their
eyes on the majority floor leadership.
made vacant by the defeat of Senator