The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1916-09-08
Longest Congress Session, De-
clares Speaker Clark.
President at Capitol Signing
Bills Up to Finish.
INCREASE PENSION GOES THRU
Revenue Bills Signed 4 Minutes
Before Adjournment.
Wilson Regrets Collective Sell
ing Measure Failed.

Washington, Sept S.-When the
house convened at $3.50 a. m. Speaker
Clark, Democratic Leader Kitchin, Re
publican Leader Mann and a small
number of members on both sides
were on the floor to watch the wind
up. Speaker Clark and Republican
Leader Mann exchanged the usual
Fluctuations.
Speaker Clark, addressing the
house, referred to the session of con-
gress as long, tedious and laborious
session.
mo session of congress. in my
recollection" he said, stayed in ses-
sion so many days and worked so
many hours"
II am the only man." the speaker
went on, amid applause, Il know of
who invariably takes up cudgels for
congress. 1t is a strange predicament
that we are in in this country, nearly
every one would like an office; many
run for office, few get office and
everybody abuses those who do get
the office. 1 think that the reason
that they hop on congress is that it
is impersonal and does not hurt any
ones feeling in particular. Some day
l am going to take whole hour to
discuss the relations of the American
congress to the American people"
Reception While Signing Bills.
Soon after President Wilson reached
the capitol. the revenue bill was ready
for his signature. The senate adopted
the concurrent resolution for 10
o'clock adjournment which already
had been passed in the house Presi-
dent Wilson signed the emergency
revenue bill at 1925 o'clock in the
presence of Senator Simmons, chair
man of the finance committee, and
Representative Rainey of thu ways and
means committee. The president held
a reception in his room as a line of
senators and representatives passed
thru while he sat at the table signing
bills. To Senator Simmons the presi-
dent expressed qualification on the
passage of the revenue bill and its
many legislative features. He said
however, that he greatly regretted the
failure of the webb bill to provide for
esta blishment of American collective
selling agencies in foreign countries.
AS the president was about to sign the
twenty-dollar widows pension BILL
with Representative Ashbrook of Ohio,
it's sponsor, by his side, Senators Smith
of Georgia. and Bryan of Florida, who
opposed it vigorously until the last
minute, entered the presidents room
and Mr.. Ashbrook asked them to wit
ness the signature. The president
smiled as the two senators hurried
away.
Vote of Thanks to Marshall
AT $50 o'clock the senate appoint
ed Senators Kern and Smoot to notify
thu president that congress was ready
TO adjourn unless he had some other
communication to present. They were
Joined by Representatives Kitchin,
Fitzgerald and Mann. the house COM
mittee, and the joint committee waited
on the president at 9:35 a. m.
The president congratulated the
leaders on the opportunity for a well
earned rest" Officially he informed
them that he had nothing further to
communicate to the congress When
they left the presidents room, the
chief executive was Joined by Secretary
Lansing, who chatted with him as he
continued to sign bills.
Senator Kern notified the senate at
9:55 O'Clock that the president had
nothing further to communicate
Thereupon, Senator Nelson of Mime
sofa offered a resolution of thanks to
the vice-president for his impartial
conduct in presiding over the senate
The resolution was adopted and the
vice-Dresident thanked the senate in a
brief address. Thereupon the senate
adjourned sine die at 9:59 O'Clock