The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1916-12-07
WILSON READS
MESSAGE TODAY
President Tells Congress Of
HG2dsd Legislation
MANY RESOLUTIONS APPEAR

Senator owen Would Have lnVeSti-
cation of Expenditures of Political
Parties During Recent Campaign.
High Cost of Living Question Will
Be of Paramount Importance Dur
ing This Congress.
Washington, Dec. 5.-President Will
son appeared in the house of repre-
sentatives today and read his annual
message to the senators and repre-
sentatives. His reading consumed Clly
short time, after which he returned
to the White House.
A joint resolution for an inquiry into
the expenditures of all the political
parties in the last national campaign
was introduced in the senate today
by Senator Owen, Democrat, of Okla
homa. The resolution provides for an
immunity bath for men summoned to
testify and heavy penalties for per
jury, said the senator.
Senator Penrose introduced today
an amendment to the Owen bill, bill
III ltuClII super NlSlOll VI lldlIOIldl
elections. Such measure, common
ly known as the force bill, was killed
twenty-six years ago, after the most
sensational filibuster in congressional
history. The purpose is to make an
issue of the conduct of elections in
southern states, where Republicans
contend that through suppression of
negro votes Democratic have an ad-
vantage.
The high cost of living and what
steps the federal government can take
to control it, assumed proportions as
a national question with the conven-
ing of congress, which overshadowed
all other issues in the first days pro
ceedings.
Eleven bills and resolutions, seek
ing to check the soaring prices of food
by stopping shipments to Europe, re
ducing parcel post rates on foodstuns
or controlling cold storage, were in
troduced in the house.
President Samuel Gompers and d
committee of the American Federation
of Labor called on President Wilson
and asked him to appoint a special
commission 10 investigate the food
question.
The president assured them that
the government would take some
steps to meet the situation but it was
not clear that they had been decided
upon fully. The president is under
stood to prefer not 10 appoint a com
mission, as it practically would be
without authority TO compel testimony.
while it is realized that a congress
sional investigation probably would
mean prOtracjod delay.
Reports being gathered by the de
partments Of agriculture and com.
merce are being laid before the presr
dent as fast as they are compiled,
and upon them he is expected to de
eide on any action, which undoubted-
ly viii be prefaced by a special adj
dress to congress.
Among the hundreds OF bills and
resolutions introduced was joint
resolution by Representative billiard
of Colorado, proposing government
seizure, ownership and operation of
railroads that do not discontinue by
Dec. 20 their suits relative to the
Adamson act and providing that
courts that delay action on suits
longer than is necessary to order their
dismissal, shall be abolished
Representative Stsenerson of Min
nesota introduced a bill TO make wo-
men eligible as rural carriers The
postoffice department has ruled that
they are not.
Senator Borah of Idaho announced
that he had prepared a bill to repeal
the act which federalized the nation,
al guard.
"The liberalization OF the national
guard has been demonstrated in tho
Mexican situation to have been a fail
ure," he said. 1T will be useless to
attempt universal military training as
long as the present militia law re
mains on the statute books
Representative Crosser of Ohio IN
troduced in the house a bill calling
fer a constitutional amendment pro
viding for a constitutional amendment
providing for the election of the presi
dent and vice president of the United
States by the direct vote of the peo-
pie 1t was referred to the judiciary
committee.
Speaker Clark declared the next
house, on the basis of the last election,
would show at least PIC Democrats
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 433.
I'VE have the control of the house
without any doubt" he said.
Baron Lucas, British Altman, Killed.
London, Dec. 5.-BarOn Lucas of