Honolulu star-bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1912-2010, 1917-12-21
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fifth congress reconVensd today for
its second and long session. with the
leaders prepared 10 stay here until
next autumn.
AS in the special war session, which
ended Oct. s. prosecution OF the var
Is the principal task facing the leEis-
lators. Today's opening meeting was
as Usual brief and perfunctory, accom-
panied by the ordinary scenes OF a
new MISUNDERSTANDING and other
fluctuations with we'll filed galleries
and much hustle and confusion. After
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
II o'clock, the senate and house ad-
journed until tomorrow out OF respect
to members who died during the re-
csss-Senator Husting OF Wisconsin
and Representative Martin Of Illinois.
Organization OF both senate and
house under Democratic control hav'
ing been effected at the special SEES
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, al
though there is some agitation 10
forege the holiday.
General, miscellaneous legislation Is
to come Immediately before congress.
possibly including some measures at,
feeting this country's course In the
war in view of widespread sentiment
among returning members for decla.
ratiens of war against Germany's al
lies, Austria Hungary. Turkey and Bull
garia. Congress Is expected, however,
to follow the views Of the President In
this respect.
Appropriation measures will require
much time. Fourteen general and
proba bly, several special supply bills
for the fiscal year beginning July l,
1918, as we'll as estimates Of additional
money for present war needs. are to
be considered. probably Immediately
after New Years. Two bills, the
legislative, executive and judicial and
District OF Columbia measures, al
ready are under preparation.
With sci $3.50, 000,0 900 already appro-
priated for the present fiscal years
needs. many members believe that,
with forthcoming appropriations. the
$4,000. 000,0 mark may be reached
for two years OF war.
New war revenue legislation 10 not
scheduled for active, consideration fer
a month or more. A deficit OF $3,90S,
600, 900 In this years expenditures re-
mains to be provided for.
Political affairs will come in for
much consideration during the session,
with considerable speechmaking, In
view of general congressional cleo.
tons next fall, at which thirty-two
senators, nineteen Democrats and
thirteen Republicans, and the entire
house membership are to he chosen.
Many members believe political cam
paign necessities may shorten the SEES
sion.
The Democrats start the session in
contraol of both Senate and House,
with So Democratic senators against
43 Republicans, with one seat-Sen-
ator Husting's-vaeant. In the house
the Democrats have ZIG members. the
213, with five indepen-
0SutS anu OHS scat SdCNuI
Many New Members
Several new members have Joined
the house. Representative Lufkin, Re.
publican, Of the sixth Massachusetts
district, succeeding Augustus P. Gard |
ner, Republican, who resigned; Repre- |
Deshlin, Democrat, Of the
Pennsylvania district,
succeeding former Representative
Republican. who resigned,
and Representative Merritt, Republi.
can, Of the fourth Connecticut, sue
ceeding Representative EbeneEer Hill.
deceased.
Important war legislation expected
to come before the present session in.
cludes measures to give the president
further authority especially over
enemy aliens. Senator Chamberlain's
bill for universal military training,
and measures to meet labor condi-
tons.
Chief among domestic concerns are
prohibition and woman suffrage. Sem
.tor Sheppard's proposed eonstitu-
tional amendment, whose submission
was approved August by the senate
S. to 20, will be pressed in the house.
while both bodies will be urged to
spprove submission Of the so-ealled
Susan B. Anthony amendment fol-
equal suffrage, which has been favor.
ably reported to the senate calendar.
Speaker Clark soon will appoint a
chairman for the new special house
committee on woman suffrage
Important general legislation pend
ing because of it's exclusion from the
last special war session are the Webb
bill permitting exporters to combine
In foreign trade, which has twice
passed the house and is the senate's
business; the Shields
W aterpower development bill: the
Pittman oil and coal land leas.
ing measure, and the Colombian
treaty, proposing payment OF SIS. 0o0,-
900 to Colombia.
The administration soldiers and
sailors civil rights bill. which passed
the house last session but failed to
get through the senate. soon will Be
taken up by the senate judiciary COM
mittee. It operates in the nature Of
suspending court pro-
cesses against members of the Amer
lean military forces. Other unfinish-
ed war legislation includes Senator
Chamberlain's resolution to subject