Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-12-04
CONGRESS WAITS
ON PRESIDENT FOR
OUTLINE OF WORK
Program Will Be Largely
Confined to His Rec
concentrations.
WILL DELIVER ADDRESS
AT JOINT SESSION TO-DAY
General Belief That He Will Not
Favor War Declaration Against
Austria at This Time.
SENTIMENT FOR ACTION GROWS
Increased Determination Manifest
TO Lend Every Aid In Vigorous
WILL DELIVER ADDRESS
AT JOINT SESSION TO-DAY
SENTIMENT FOR ACTION GROWS
Increased Determination Manifest
to Lend Every Aid In Vigorous
Prosecution OF War.
fBy Associated Press

ASHINGTON. December 3.--Con-
Ercss Is ready to take UP again its
part in the prosecution Of the war.
The second session OF the Sixty-fifth
Congress began to-day at noon with
brief routine sessions marked by the
receipt OF appropriation estimates for
next years war and ordinary expenses
aEgregating the vast sum of Sl3,500.-
100000.
Tomorrow the Senate and House
will meet In joint session at 1890 =. NJ.
20 hear President Wilson deliver his
address. Guidance of the President In
the work ahead is awaited By tacit
agreement. Congressional leaders to-
night admitted that his rccomm enda-
lions. awaited with profound interest
by the world. virtually would outline
tho sessions program
Speculation as 10 the nature OF the
Presiuents address "enters largely
upon whether he will recommend dec
larations OF war against Gcrmany's
allies. General belief il that he will
Hot. ~ least for the present, and that
Congress will follow hrs desires. Senti-
'rcnt for such action is widespread.
rowcver. and individual members prob
ably VIII introduce war resolutions.
ono or TWO Senators were prepared to-
day 20 offer such resolutions, but were
prevailed upon 10 ~i,hhoid them.
SPIRIT OF CONFIDENCE
fEItNtDES CONGRESS
y spirit OF confidence apparently per-
;ades Congress. Returning members
exchanged views with declarations OF
increased determination 10 lend every.
ala in vigorous conduct OF the war.
Leaders predicted that legislation
would be confined largely TO war
measures. as the President Is under
stood To desire.
Senator Martin, Democratic leader
-. the Senate said there would be
iitilc time for other than war prob
lens. and Representative kitchin, the
House floor leader. announced. after
Informal conferences with colleagues
that he was disposed 10 favor the plan.
The understanding is that the first few
weeks o! the session, until after the
hoiiday recess at least. would be open
70 general Legislation.
The House Judiciary Committee
meets tomorrow and. as consideration
OF national prohibition and woman
suffrage measures was postponed at
'hc last session the basis OF action
at this session. the disposition of
many of tho committeeman is TO vote
on them now. one way or the other.
wartime aspec. was given to-
days sessions by the presence Of many
uniformed men among spectators in the
crowded galleries. and OF women busily
plying knitting needles during the
opening ceremonies.
Senate proceedings were unusually
BRIEF After adoption OF routine reso-
lutions the Senate adjourned out OF
ha 1.,a
OF Wisconsin. The House remained In
session until the joint committee an
pointed to notify Prcsiden. Wilson OF
the return of Congress reported. and
then passed the resolution for to-mor-
rows joint session. The usual crop
OF bills. resolutions and petitions was
received in the House, including a
resolution by Representative Martin, Of
Louisiana. proposing congressional in
Vestisation of the sugar shortage
FITZGERALD ANNOUNCES
INTENTION TO RESIGN
representative John ]. Fitzgerald. OF
Brooklyn, y. Y, chairman Of the House
Appropriations Committee, prominent
Democratic leader and a member OF
Congress OF eighteen years service
announced to-day his intention TO re-
sign. effective December 81 to resume
thc practice of law. His successor as
the Appropriations Committee chair
man probably will be Representative
>wagar Sherlcy, Of Louisville Ky
ranking Democratic committeeman.
Little business this week is planned
by senate and House leaders, as the
leaders and committee charmen want
An opportunity to confer and discuss
procedure.
Political affairs will come in for
unch consideration during the session.
with considerable speechmakinc, in
view Of general congressional elections
ucXt fall at which thirty-two Senator's
nineteen Democrats and thirteen Re-
publicans--and the entire House mem
bcrship arc to be chosen. Many mem
bers believe political campaign neces-
sites may shorten the session
The Democrats start the session In
control of both Senate and House with
ffty-two Democratic Senator'S against
forty-thrcc Republicans. with one scat
Senator lIusting's-vacant. In the
House the Democrats have PIC mem
hcrs, the Republicans 2i3. with five In
dependents, and one seat vacant.
Several new members joined the
IIousc to-day. Representative Lufkin,
Republican, Of the Sixth Massachusetts
District. succeeding Augustus r. Gard
ner. Republican. who resigned; Repre-
sentative Dashlin, Democrat, Of the
Twenty eighth Pennsylvania District.
=, succeeding former Representative
Bleaklcy. Republican. who resigned, and
CONTINUED on Fourth Page.)