The Lakeland evening telegram., 1917-12-03
ER $l3,500,000,000 ASKED Of CONGRESS;
THIS AMOUNT WILL Be NECESSARY FOR
THE CONDUCT OF THE j. S. Govt AND
PROSECUTION OF THE WAR COMING YEAR

PreSlQent In MS opening ADDRESS De-
fore a joint session in the Chamber
House at 1890 o'clock. This will be
the Presidents first appearance before
Congress since the night of the meet
ing on April End, at the opening Of the
special session called to permit him
to ask for declaration of war against
Germany.
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 busi-
ness. Legislation. however, is not ex-
pected to get into full swing until
next month, after the Christmas re-
cess, although there is some agitation
to forego the holiday.
Tomorrow will come the initial
food of bills, resolutions and petit
tions. Among the latter are many Pc
titions accumulated during the recess,
demanding the expulsion Of Senator
La Toilette of Wisconsin for alleged
disloyalty. His speech last Septem-
ber at st. Paul, Minn., was consid-
cred today by the Senate privileges
and elections committee in connec-
ton with sub-committee's investiga-
ton.
General miscellaneous legislation
is to come Immediately before Con-
gress, possibly including some meas
ures affecting this conutry's course
in the war in view of widespread sen.
timent among returning members for
declarations of war against Ger.
many's allies. Austria Hungary. Tur.
key and Bulgaria. Congress is ex'
pected, however, to follow the views
of the President in this respect.
Appropriation measures will re-
quire much time. Fourteen general
and probably several special supply
bills for the fiscal year beginning
July l. 1918, as well as estimates ol
additional money for present wal
needs, are to be considered. probably
Immediately after New Years. Twt
bills, the legislative, executive and
judicial and District of Columbi'
measures, already are under prepare
ton.
With $21, 1916, 900 already approprl
ated for the present fiscal year.
needs, many members believe that
with forthcoming appropriations, tn
fifty-billion-dollar mark may b
reached for two years Of war.
Political affairs will come in TO
much consideration during the ses
son. with considerable speechmakint
7 in view of general congressional ele'
tions next fall at which thirty-tw
: Senators, nineteen Democrats an
thirteen Republicans, and the entir
House membership are to be chosel
: Many members believe political can
: paign necessities may shorten the Sc
sion.
The Democrats start the session
control of both Senate and Hous
with SO Democratic Senators again
3 AZ Republicans, with one seat-Sen
tor Husting's-vacant. In the Hou
! the Democrats have 216 members, Il
Republicans 213, with five indepe
dents and one seat vacant.
Several new members Joined u
Y House today, Representative Lufki
Republican, of the sixth Massachr
y etts district succeeding Augustus
or Gardner, Republican, who resigne
tn REPRESENTATIVE Beshlin, Democrat,
n the twenty-eighth Pennsylvania q
trict. succeeding former Represen
ch tive Bleakley Republican, who
be signed. and Representative Merri
he Republican, Of the fourth Connee
ng cut succeeding Representative El
y; nezer Hill. Republican, deceased.
les Important war legislation expect
nd to come before the present session
al cludes measures to. give the Preside
On. further authority, especially o'
by enemy aliens; Senator Chamberiaf
,fl- bill for universal military traini
ice and measures to meet labor cor
,et- tions.
md Chief among domestic concerns
out prohibition and woman suffrage. s
ur- ator sheppard's proposed. const
of tional amendment, whose submiss
tin was approved August by the Sen
IS to 20. win be pressed in the o'
,ro- while both bodies win be ureed %