Evening star., 1916-01-03
CONGRESS RESUMES.
LABORS TOMORROW
Both Houses Expected to Set
tie Down to Business
Immediately.

Congress will reconvene tomorrow al
noon. following the holiday recess. and
both houses are expected to settle down
to business Immediately.
The foreign relations of the United
States. incident to the war in Europe
and also to the trouble in Mexico, will
hold the center of the stage, along
with national preparedness and pro-
posed revenue legislation.
Practically nothing was done beyond
the organization of the new Congress
before the holidays. and it is expected
that the democratic leaders of the Sen
ate and House will insist upon speed
ing up the legislative wheels immedi.
ately.
It is expected that the Senate COM
mfttee on foreign relations will take
the lead in actual consideration of in
ternational affairs. However, 1t is con-
sidered likely that members of the Sen
ate will air their views of the existing
conditions on the floor of the Senate.
Want Congress Consulted.
In view of the strained relations
which exist between the United States
and Austria Hungary, due to the An
coma incident and the later Persia Incl
uShtp anu tHc pObSlDillly tndl d DTGa h
may come in the diplomatic relations
between this country and the dual
monarchy, some members of the Senate
today are insistent that the entire con-
troversy be submitted to Congress by
the President before any steps are
taken to break Off relations. When he
contents of the second note from Aus
tria became known last week the hope
was raised that the crisis had passed
But the sinking of the Persia almos,
Immediately afterward has caused a
renewed demand that Congress be con
suited In the matter.
The foreign relations committee o1
the Senate has before it the resolution
offered by Senator HolSe Smith of Geor.
gia, urging an investigation into Brit
ish interference with neutral shipping
and the Lodge amendment directing
also that investigation be made into
the law and facts" concerning the de.
struction of the Lusitania and attack.
upon other vessels, imperiling American
lives. and the conspiracy against neu.
trality within our borders,' to, which
President Wilson referred in his mes.
sage to Congress.
Has Prepared Another Speech.
Senator Hoke Smith has prepared an.
other speech upon the commercial sit
uation and the part the allies are play
ing in it, which he expects to deliver
early in the session
When the Senate convenes tomorrow
pra ctically the only important legislation
on the caiendar will be the Philippines
bill, reported by Senator Hitchcock, chair
man of the Philippines committee. Sena-
tor Kern, the democratic leader. today
said he thought this bill might be
taken up and made the unfinished bust
ness of the Senate, though much would
depend upon Senator Hitchcock's desires
1a<
Washington tomorrow. 1t is understood
that he desires to push the bill as fast
as possible.
The military and naval affairs com.
mittees of both Houses have beer
studying the national preparedness
program during the recess. House com
mittees plan to get to work on these
at once, and public hearings. which
probably will extend for a long period
are contemplated. Senate committees
meantime, will study the bills submit.
ted and map out programs of pro
cedure.