Elko independent. [volume] (Elko, Nev.) 1915-current, 1917-12-03
S|XTY-F|FTH
CONGRESS IS IN
SESSION TODAY
Presidents Second Appearance
Since the Declaration
Of War

! I'D SeSohu anu ionS session, with the
leaders prepared to stay here until
next autumn.
As in the special war session which
ended October 6, prosecution OF the
war is the principal task facing the
Legislators. Today's opening meeting
was as usual brief and prefunctory,
accompanied by the ordinary scenes
OF new Observation-Disclosures and
other fluctuations with we'll filled gal.
leries and much hustle and confusion,
Alter appointment of committees by
both bodies TO notify President Wilson
and each other of their presence for
duty and fixing their daily meeting
hour at IL o'clock, the senate and
house adjourned until tomorrow out
OF respect to members who died dur
ing the recess-Senator Husting Of
Wisconsin and Representative Martin
of Illinois.
When President Wilson delivered
his address at 1890 o'clock this after.
noon TO joint session of the house
and senate 1t was his second appear
ance before congress since the night
meeting OF April 2. at the opening of
the special session called TO permit
| him TO ask for n declaration of war
against Germany.
The senate morning session lasted
| only long enough to appoint members
fthe committee to notify President
Wilson that congress was in session
and adjourned in respect for Paul O..
! Hastings.
The house has taken up the swear
I ing in OF new inemEgEg.
Organization of both senate and
house under democratic control hav.
| ing been effected at the special ses-
sion. both bodies were ready to plunge
into the mass of waiting business
| Legislation, however, is not expected
to get into full swing until next month,
after the Christmas recess. although
there is some agitation to forego the
holiday.
Tomorrow will come the initial
flood of bills, resolutions and peti.
tions. Among the latter are many
petitions accumulated during the re.
cess, demanding the expulsion of Sen.
ator La Toilette of Wisconsin for al
legged disloyalty. His speech last
| September at St. Paul. Mimi, was
considered today by the senate priv
! ilcgcs and elections committee in con-
nection with n sub committees inves.
| tigation.
General, miscellaneous legislation
is to come Immediately before con.
gress. possibly including some meas
urcs affecting this country's course
in the war in view OF widespread sen.
timent among returning members for
declarations of war against Germany's
allies, Austria.IIungary, Turkey and
Bulgaria Congress is expected, how
ever to follow the views OF the presi'
dent in this respect.
! Appropriation measures will require
much time. Fourteen general and
| probably several special supply bills
for the fiscal year beginning July l.,
| 1918, as well as estimates OF addition.
nj money for present war needs, are
10 be considered, probably immediate.
~ after New Years. Two bills, the
legislative, executive and judicial ard
District of Columbia measures, I'll.
ready are under preparation.
with s2i, $3.50, 100000 already appro.
| priatcd for the present fiscal years
needs. many members believe that
with forthcoming appropriations, the
fifty billion dollar mark may be
reached for two years OF war.
New war revenue legislation Ia not
scheduled for active consideration for
n month or more. A deficit OF 49,
900. 900 coo in this years expenditures
remains TO be provided for.
Political affairs will come in for
much consideration during the sos
sion, with considerable speech max
ing. in view Of general congressional
elections next fall al which thirty.;wo
senators, nineteen democrats and
thirteen republicans. and the entire
house membership are to be chosen
Many members believe political cam.
paign necessities may shorten the SOS
sion.
The democrats start the session In
control OF both senate and house with
81 democratic senators against 43 re
publicans. with one seat-Senator
Husting's--vacant. In the house the