Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1916-12-05
CONGRESS RECONvENEs
FOR ITS SHORT SESSION
President Will Appear To-day and
Make His Recommendations
for Legislation.
CALENDAR is ovERCRowDED
Railroad Reforms and High Cost Of
Living Chief New Issues-"Speed
Up" Program Advocated by Speak
er Clark May BE Adopted.
TBy A ssoc:at.S Press.

BS Associated Press
WASlIINGTON. December 4-Con-
EreSs reconvened to-day for a three
months session with calendar over
crowded with general legislation. facing
railroad reforms and the high cost of
living as new issues. and confronted
with unprecedented estimates. aggre-
eating sl.6a4Sls.654. to meet expendi-
lures of the government for the fiscal
year 1918.
Both houses adjourned carly, as n
mark of respect to, the late Senator
Clarke. OF Arkansas. and Resident
| Commissioner Rivera. OF Porto Rico.
both of whom died since the September
adjournment.
Tomorrow there will be Joint ses-
sion in the hall Of the House TO hear
the address OF President Wilson, which
Will contain recommendations for legis-
lation sought by the administration be-
fore the SiNty-fourth Congress dies. on
March next. That railroad legisla-
iion TO supplement the Adamson act
VIII be urged by the President as the
most Important problem before the
congress at this time is generally ex-
pectcd. There is also strong public
demand for some Legislative action to
c"rp the soaring prices OF food
SUPPLY BILLS AND OTHER
MEASURES IN SENATE
In addition to appropriation meas
ures "hich must be passed, the Senate
has the immigration bill. the cor
r"pt-pracuces bill further to limit
campaign contributions and expendi
lures, the Webb bill to grant authority
to domestic corporations for mainten
agencies conservation and other meas
"reS An investigation into expendi-
lures or the recent national camrairu
is proposed. and Senator owen. Of
oklahoma. will introduce u Joint reso-
luton directing that such an inouirv
he instituted at once
TASTY conferences of House Ie,do,s
to-day convinced - majority that
speed up program advocated bv
Speaker Clark will be adopted. Ma
ioritN Leader kitchin joined with the
speaker In declaring that the usual
long Christmas holiday should he dis
PehSen with and AN earlier meeting
h"ur 'han noon. probably 10 O'Clock.
set. There is some disscnson over The
proposed abolition OF the Christmas
mondays. ana compromise holiday of
one week has been suggested
Although food embargo proposals
are certain To create much discussion
Few leaders are inclined to believe
t""t any "t them will lie enacted into
laws. Representative kitchin thinks
too. that investigation of the hi-b
cost Of living will be left to the cxccu.
tive departments
ADAMSON no SPEND
CHRISTMAS At HOME
], is regarded as doubtful that anv
az the Presidents railway legislation
VIII reach the floor before Christmas
Representative Adamson chairman OF
the Interstate Commerce COMMITTEES
wh" VII! pilot the measures said to-
night that he would spend the Christ
mas holidays at home. regardless of
any adjournment agreement
Representative Raker will urge ,n
early report on his universal suffrage
measure. now held in the Judiciary
committee. The Suffra gists did not
appear at the Capitol to-day to make
demonstration, as had been expccted
inauguration OF three new Senator's
was postponed until tomorrow be,
cause or the desire TO adjourn in re-
spect 10 the memory of the late Sen
ator Clarke. president pro tcmporc
fhe new Senators--Watson, of Indiana:
Ferna,d. OF Maine. and Kirby. of
Arkansas were given seats In The
chamber.
APPEARANCE or SPEAKER
GREETED WITH CHEERS
In the House members stood and
rheered when Speaker Clark opened
the session. The public galleries were
only Comfortably tlJed ond ,hn
promised invasion Of sufrragist dele
cation failed to materializo