Pine Bluff daily graphic. (Pine Bluff, Ark.) 1893-1942, 1916-12-05
High Cost of Living One Of
the Problems Law Makers
Asked to Solve.
KIRBY OCCUPIES
SEAT IN CHAMBER
Both Houses Adjourn Early Out of
Respect to Memory Of Late Senator
Hlark and Resident Commits.
SiOner Reverb Of Porto Rico.

Washington, Dec. 4.-Congress re-
convened today for a three months
session with the calendar overcrowd-
ed with general legislation, and facing
reforms and the high cost of living as
new issues, and confronted with UNI
precedented eStimates aggregatingi
$l ,654 ,8l9,654 to meet expenses of the
government for the fiscal year 1918.
Both houses adjourned early as a
mark of respect to the late Senator
Clarke of Arkansas and Resident
Commissioner Reverb of Porto Rico,
both of whom died since the Septem-
Der adjournment
Tomorrow there will be joint ses-
sion to hear the address of President
Wilson, which will contain recommen-
dations for legislation included in the
administration program before the
64th congress dies March 4. Railroad
Legislation to support the Adamson
act will be urged by the president it
is generally expected.
How to expedite their work is a
problem which leaders are endeavoring
to solve. Besides railroad legisla-
ton there is strong public demand for
legislation to curb the rising prices
of food, and, in addition to appropri-
alton measures, which always take
time and must be passed, there are
other issues. In the senate there is
the immigration bill the corrupt prac-
tees bill to further limit campaign
contributions and expenditures, the
Webb bill to grant authority to do
nestle corporations for maintaining
collective selling agencies abroad, con-
servatlOn and other measures.
Will Begin Day Early.
Hasty conferences of house leaders
convinced the majority that a "speed
up program" advised by Speaker
Clark. will be adopted with only slight
change. Majority Leader Kitchin
joined with the speaker in advocating
that the usual long Christmas recess
should be dispensed with, and an earl
Ter meeting, probably 10 o'clock a. H.,
set. AS the committee virtually COM
pleted their work in the last session
leaders say there is no reason why the
morning hours should not be devoted
to floor work. Some ascension over
the proposed reduction of the Christ
mas holiday is apparent. A compro-
mise holiday of one week, beginning
the Saturday before Christmas, has
been suggested and favorably receiv-
ed.
Food Embargo Not Favored.
Altho food embargo proposals are
certain to create much discussion, few
believe any will be enacted into law.
Representative Kitchin thinks that in
vestigation of the high cost of living
should be left to the executive de
partment.
1t is regarded as doubtful that any
of the presidents railway legislative
program will reach the floor before
Christmas. Representative Adamson
said tonight he would spend the
Christmas holidays at home, regard
less of any adjournment agreement.
The Inauguration of three new sem
ators who were present was postponed
until tomorrow because of a desire to
adjourn in respect to the memory of
the late president protein, Senator
Clarke of Arkansas. The new sena-
tors, Kirby of Arkansas, Watson of
Indiana and Fernald of Maine, were
given seats in the chamber.
Bills were introduced today provid-
ing for the regulation of cold storage
plants, and to provide for an embargo
on fOOdstuffS.