Ottumwa semi-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1916-1918, 1917-12-04
SPEED WAR
W0Rk,PLEA
TO S0L0NS
Presidents Message to Con-
!! gress Will Urge Prompt
! Action of Important Meas
! ures For Military Action
!; Session Opens Today.
DEMOCRATS RETAIN
ORGANIZATION SWAY

Washington, D. c., Dec. 3.-Faced
by the mighty problem of Americas
part in the world fight for democracy,
congress convened today for its sec
ond war session.
Appropriations of billions of dollars
and measures to put the full force of
the United States beside its allies will
be the principal business OF the ses-
sion.
The first days business was largely
perfunctory with official notification
to the president that congress is in
session and waiting to hear his open
Ing address. The president will speak
tomorrow at 1880 p. m. in the hall OF
the house before joint session.
WILSON TO SOUND KEYNOTE.
President Wilson, in his address, 1t
1s understood. will urge congress to
confine it's work strictly to measures
for the successful and speedy prosecu-
,tion OF the war. There is a general
disposition among the leaders on both
sides to depend upon him to take the
lead In proposing the war measures
and to give him all the non-partisan
support possible.
President Wilson's address was in
.the hands OF the printer today. While
it IS practically complete. 1t is being
held open for any changes until
short time before delivery.
II will be the presidents first ap-
pearance before congress since the
night meeting Of April 2 at the open
ing Of the special session called to
permit him to ask for declaration OF
war against Germany.
FLOOD OF BILLS FcRESEEN.
Tomorrow will come the initial flood
OF bills, resolutions and petitions.
Among the latter are many petitions
accumulated during the recess, de-
manding the expulsion Of Senator La
Toilette OF Wisconsin for alleged dis
loyalty.
Political affairs will come in for
much consideration during the ses-
sion, with considerable speechmaking,
in view Of general congressional elec-
tions next fall at which thirty-two
senator's, succeeding nineteen demo-
Gratis and thirteen republicans, and
the entire house membership are to be
chosen. Many members believe polit-
ical campaign necessities may shorten
the session.
DEMOCRATS RETAIN CONTROL.
The democrats start the session In
control Of both senate and house with
fifty-two democratic senators against
forty.three republicans. with one seat
the late Senator Husting' g's-vacant.
IN the house the democrats have PIG
members, the republicans 213. with
five independents and one seat vacant.
that Of the late Representative Martin
Of Illinois.
Several new members joined the
house today, Representative Lufkin, re-
publican, OF the sixth Massachusetts,
district succeeding Augustus P. Card
ner. republican who resigned; Repre-
sentative Deshlin, democrat, OF the
twenty-eighth Pennsylvania district.
succeeding former Representative
Bleakley, republican, who resigned,
and Representative Merritt, republican
Of the fourth Connecticut, succeeding
Representative Ebenezer Hill, repub-
lican, deceased.
MANY MEASURES PENDING.
Important war legislation expected
TO come before the present session
includes measures to give the presi-
dent further authority. especially over
enemy aliens: Senator Chamberlain's
bill for universal military training.
and measures to meet labor condi-
tions.
Chief among domestic concerns are
prohibition and woman suffrage. Sena-
tor Sheppard's proposed constitution
al amendment, whose submission was
approved August by the senate 65
TO 90 will be pressed in the house.
while both bodies will be urged to ap
prove submission of the so-called
Susan B. Anthony amendment for
equal suffrage. which has been favor.
ably reported to the senate calendar.
SCeaker Clark soon will appoint a
chairman for the new special house
committee on woman suffrage
Important general legislation pend
ing because Of its exclusion from tho
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
unfinished business; the Shields
waterpower development bill; tho
Walsh -Pittman oil and coal land leas-
ing measure, and the Colombian
treaty, proposing payment OF $25.000,-
GOO to Colombia.
EXPENDITURE BOARD URGED.
The administration soldiers and
sailors civil rights bill, which passed