Arizona republican., 1916-12-05
[eepubliean A. p. Leased wIrel

WASHINGTON, Dec. 4-Congress re-convened today for three months session. with a calendar overcrowded with general legislation. facing railroad reforms and the high cost of living IS new issues. and confronted with un- precedented estimates asgregating $L654S1s.654. to meet expenditures 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 Com missioner Rivera Of Porto Rico. both of whom died since the September ad- journment
 Tomorrow there will be a joint ses- sion in the hall Of the house Co hear the address of President Wilson. which will contain recommendations for leg islation sought by the administration before the siXty-fourth congress dies March fourth. next. That railroad leg islation Co supplement the Adamson act will be urged by the president as the most important problem is generally expected
 Leaders of both houses will endeavor to expedite their work and frequent conferences tO plan a program will be held as soon as the president indicates his desires. Besides railroad legisla- tion. there is strong public demand for some legislative action Co curb the soaring prices of food. And in addition to appropriation measures. which al- ways take time and must be passed there are other issues. The senate has Inc fflru fftf1 nea ff4A tices bill further to limit campaign contributions and expenditures. the Webb bill to grant authority Co domes- tic corporations for maintenance of collective foreign selling agencies, con- seIvatiOn and other measures.
 An investigation into expenditures of the recent national campaign is pro- posed and Senator Owen of Oklahoma will introduce a joint resolution asking that inquiry be instituted at once.
 Hasty conferences of house leaders today indicated that a speed up" pro- gram advocated by Speaker Clark will be adopted with only slight changes. Majority Leader kitchin joined with the speaker in declaring that the usual long Christmas holiday should be dis pensed with and an earlier meeting than noon, probably 70 o'clock, set. No active opposition Co the early meeting hour has appeared, but there is some dissension over the proposed abolition of the Christmas holidays A com promise holiday of one week. begin ming the Saturday before Christmas has been suggested.
 Although food embargo proposals are certain to create much discussion few leaders are inclined to believe that . any of them will be enacted into laws Representative Kitchin thinks. too. that investigation of the high cost of living will be left tO the executive department
 It is regarded as doubtful that any of the presidents railway Legislation program will reach the floor before Christmas Representative Adamson chairman of the interstate commerce commission. who will pilot the meas ures said tonight that he would spend the Christmas holidays at home re- gardless of any adjournment agree ment. Representative Baker will urge an early report on bis universal suff- rage measure, now held in the judiciary committee. The suffragists did not appear at the capitol today to make q demonstration as had been expected.
 Inauguration of three new senators who appeared with their credentials was postponed until tomorrow. The new senators, Watson of Indiana. Fer nald of Maine and Kirby of Arkansas were given seats in the chamber
 Democrats of the senate plan con ferences tomorrow to consider tho matter of a new president pro tempore but no party caucus is expected until later in the week. Senators most