The daily Gate City and constitution-Democrat. (Keokuk, Iowa) 1916-1922, 1917-04-02
CONGRESS MEETS
AT NOON TODAY
Continued from Page ~

Thereafter the congress will be
ready to hear from the president and
proceed to it's solemn task OF decree
ing a war state against Germany and
providing funds for strong and com
plete prosecution Of the struggle.
Patriotism fairly .seethes within
the congress. There will be but few
who will raise their voices against
war and even these, once the wal
resolution is adopted, are expected to
swing into line in favor of going on
to the last trench.
i Patriots" and "paciists" gath
cred for the days proceedings by
hundreds, though the big drive of the
pro and anti-war men and women
was not due until the president him.
self should appear with his fateful
message.
| The senate had no definite work i'm
mediately in view. 1t convenes at
noon.
On the house side, however, the
program was:
Call to order by the clerk.
Prayer by the chaplain plea to
guide the lawmakers in their DELHI
erations and to make strong the hand
OF America in days to come.
| Election and swearing in Of Speak
! er Clark.
Swearing in Of new members, in.
GLIDING the first woman member, Miss
jeanette Rankin
Election Of minor house officers.
Selection of a committee to join
with the senate In notifying President
Wilson that the congress is organized
and ready to hear him; adoption OF
house rules; selection Of committees,
J., Ill, no Of
The senate foreign relations com.
mittee was booked for meeting this
afternoon, while the house commit
tee was slated for early gathering to
finish its war resolution shaped along
| lines Of the Mexican war declaration.
It was a solemn throng that
Manned into the house galleries to-
day. Men and women who want war
because they believe 1t is the only
honorable course; others who want
peace at any price. mingled in the
crowds.
Small American flags sprinkled
their color.
Little peace badges Haunted their
message.
| A buzz of talk-some of it argu.
ments between war and pacfnsts'
sounded through the halls long before
the house met to organize. AS the
time neared for the house to convene,
however. a silence fell upon the
watchers and the organization work
was only occasionally interrupted
state Of War Resolution.
WASHINGTON, April 2.-The ad.
ministration war resolution Will rec
ognize "state of war" exists between
this country and Germany.
Chairman Flood of the house for.
eign affairs committee. announced
that definitely today, saying that II
will not declare war against Germany.
Recognition Of a state or war
serves to place the responsibility on
Germany without altering in any way
the real facts-that real war is on.
The resolution is completed and
will be presented at the first oppor.
tune moment, Chairman Food said.
Whether this would be today, how.
! ever. he was unable to state definitely.
| Democratic Preparedness.
| WASHINGTON, April 2.-Determin-
! ed not to slip a single cog in the
s2eakership fight, the democrats this
afternoon bore Representative Gordon
| zee. Georgia, to the house chamber on
| a stretcher from a Washington hos.
pital, where he has been ill of pneu'
| m onia. r
The roll call showed only six alb,
sentees.
The senate presented a decidedly
battered appearance. Senator Lodge
was sporting a swollen face and re-
ceiving congratulations on it from
both sides. Senator Tillman walked
in with an arm in sling. Senator
Knox had his right hand bandaged
and shook hands with Senator John.
son. Of California, with his left hand.
Compulsory Military Service.
WASHINGTON, April 2.-The
army general staff plan OF compul-
sorry military service was proposed
| in a bill introduced today by Repre-
sentative Kahn, ranking republican
member of the house military COM
mittee.
Kahn's measure provides for train
ing men between the ages of Is and
%.
Sanafor Chamharlain's cnmnulsnry