The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1917-12-03
Million a Day To Finance
War and Govt.
Message Before
Joint Session Tomorrow.
BRIEF SESSION ONLY TODAY
Spirited Fight Over Excess
Z Profit Taxes, All Primed.
lOO,OOO,OOO Federal Aid TO
Railroads VIII Be Sought.

siWashington. Dec. Both house
and senate of Americas win the war
congress convened on the stroke at
noon today with the first call upon 1t
ss7.55 g. . - ia ''''9
This sum-an average expenditure
Of $37.0O0,O00 q day for the next year
lis Secretary McAdoo's estimate of
war and necessary internal expenses
during the next year
Prayers for victory were offered in
opening of both houses. In mis- prayer
opening the senate session, Rev. For
est j. Prettyman, senate chaplain,
said:
I've face the mightiest task ever
oenfronting any generation.
I'VE thank Thee that we've taken
our place on Thy side, in behalf of
the brotherhood of nations and peace
thruout the world
Opening i'm the House.
Speaker Clark's gavel fell on the
DOT of noon with large representa-
ton of the house present. On his APP
bearance on the rostrum he was
Erected with spontaneous applause,
the members rising and cheering.
In his opening prayer. the house
chaplain asked that lin this, the dark
est hour of human history, help us as
apeople to appreciate the gravity of
the situation and unite us in bonds of
batriotisIn that we may throw all our
moral. Intellectual and physical force
into the conflict with grim determine
don to win or perish
For the first time in two sessions,
Senator Nathan Golf. West Virginia,
answered rcH call. Illness prevented
MS attendance at the special session.
attendance in the senate was uneX-
pectedly large. SiNty-seVen of the
Ilinety-siX senators answered roll call.
Tribute TO Dead Senator.
Senator La Toilette arose imme
diately after the formal organization
~ the senate, formally to announce
10 the senate the death of his col
league, Senator Paul o. Husting of
Wisconsin, VINO was accidentally shot
while hunting.
"This is not the time to pay ade-
quate honor to the memory of Senator
BUSTING" said La Toilette. AT
later time. 1 shall ask that a day be
set aside to pay honor to him.
1.-THE senate at once adopted a reso-
lution OF profound regret" over Sen
ator Hastings death and as a further
mark OF respect adjourned at 1914
Financing War Big Issue.
Questions of financing the most
costly war IN history, of meeting the
rapidly changing. economic condi-
tions at home and of giving adequate
support to the nations allied with this
Country in the war on Germany, will
Keep congress in session probably
through next summer.
Il President Wilson will appear before
the senate and house in joint. session
tomorrow to deliver his message. The
entire executive program is awaiting
his direction. 1t is not expected that
the president will ask for any declara-
ton of war on Germany's allies, but
with the statement of his recommen-
dation of necessary legislation to guar
antee the defeat of the Teutons, the
executive wheels of the nation will
again be set in motion.
Round Up Alien SIaclxers.
Chairman Flood of the house for
eign affairs committee will call
meeting Immediately to take up
problems which the president sug-
sests. Appropriation and revenue
committees also will get under way.
Leading senator's expect Secretary
Lansing to send the upper branch of
congress proposed treaties covering
'alien slackers." for confirmation. 1t
is reported agreements have been
reached with all allied countries.
If the senate approves these-and
there is no opposition to the princi-
ple-proposed legislation on the sub
ject will be dropped.
Today's session in both house and
senate was brief.
Senator LaFollette. colleague of the
late Senator Hustfng, who was killed
a month ago while hunting, was to
present eulogistic resolutions and
the senate in respect to the dead mans
memory.
The house of representatives, organ
lied at the special session, was to
adopt resolution inviting the presi-
dent to deliver his annual message.
Adjournment today follows these pre-
hminaries.
Predict Dry Victory.
Congressman expect the prohibition
amendment to pass the house by the
-ssrfr
sion Is expected to proceed in earnest.
A spirited fight over war taxes is
scheduled Immediately The admin
istration is reported to favor raising
war funds by floating additional lib
crty loans rather than imposing more
excess profit taxes. The Borah-John-
son forces which last session injected
high profits taxes into the revenue
bill will fight this proposal They will
renew their wealth CONSUMPTION de-
mand.
The senate will begin work early on
the Webb export bill, permitting
american firms to form export trusts
and combinations Illegal in domestic
trade. This measure has the admin
i1tration'sz entire influence behind It.
La Toilette and Gronna will fight
Il as DANCE US to the welfare of
American consumers
The administrations conservation
program, after a-ten years tie up ow-
ing to irreconcilable differences be-
tween Pinchot and private capital,
seems likely to go thru in full. Water
power. coal land and oil wells are at
fected
To Lease Govt Coal Lands.
Secretary Lane and President Will
son have worked out a compromise
plan which proposes to lease the lands
and water power sites for fifty-year
period with clauses limiting prices
which the te4,-ee can set on his prod
net to the consumer.
Government aid to the railroads,
either BY loans or by building freight
cars. vii come at oQce before the ses-