Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1917-12-04
GREAT TASKS, ALL
AIMED At VICTORY,
ARE BEFORE BODY
Army and Navy Estimates for
War Work During Fiscal
Year of 1919 Shows In
crease of Nearly 8 Billion

WASHINGTON, Dec. s.-The house
convened promptly at noon today fol
The session Of the 65th-America's win
ths-war congress
IA Speaker ClarSs gaval fell, Vice
President Marshal in the senate called
the upper house to order.
Prayers for victory were offered In
opening OF both houses. In his prayer
opening the senate. Reverend Forest J.
Prertyman, senate chaplain, said:
I'VE face the mightiest task ever con-
fronting any generation
we thank thee that we've taken oul
place on thy side in behalf OF the broth
erhood OF nations and peace Throughout
the world"
Speaker Clark's gavel fell on the dot
OF noon with a large representation OF
the house present HIS appearance or
the rostrum was greeted with sponta'
neous applause, the members rising an
cheering. In his opening prayer thu
house chaplain asked that in this. tn'
darkest hour OF human history, help u
as a people. 70 appreciate the gravity o.
the situation and unite US in bonds Of
patriotism that we may throw all oul
moral. intellectual and physical forc'
ton TO win or perish"
For the first time in two sessions
Senator Nathan GofI. West Virginia
answered roll call. illness prevented hi:
attendance the special session.
Attendance in the senate was unex
pectedIy large Sixty-seven Of the 81
senator's answered roll call.
Senator La toilette arose Immediately
after the formal organization OF the sen
ate. formally TO announce to the senate
the death OF his colleague. Senator Pau
o. Husting. OF Wisconsin. who was &C
cgdentalIy shot while hunting.
This Is not the time to pay adequate
honor TO the memory OF Senator Hust
ing" said La Toilette cat a later tim'
I shall ask that day be set aside Il
pay honor to him
The senate at once adopted resol1
ton OF profound regret" over Senator
Hastings death and as further mari
of respect, adjourned at 1914 unit
Tuesday.
Questions OF financing the most costly
war IN history. OF meeting the rapidly
changing economic conditions at home
and OF giving adequate support to the
nations allied with this country in the
war on Germany, viii keep congress ii
session probably through next summer
President Wilson will appear before
the senate and house in joint session to
morrow to deliver his message. The en-
tire legislative program is awaiting hi!
direction 1t IS not expected that .ht
president will ask for any declaration OF
war on Germany's allies, but with tbs
statement OF his recommendations OF
necessary legislation TO guarantee the
defeat Of the Teutons. the Legislative
wheels Of the nation will again be set IL
motion
Chairman Flood. of the house foreign
affairs committee. will call a meeting i'm
mediateIy to take up problems which the
president suggests. Appropriation and
revenue committees also will get under
way.
Proposed Treaties
Leading senator's expect Secretary
Lansing to send the upper branch OF
congress proposed treaties covering
ALLEN slackers'' for confirmation. 1t Is
reported agreements have been reached
with all allied countries. II the senate
approves these-and there is no opposi
ton 70 the principle-proposed legtsla'
ton on the subject will be dropped.
Today's session in both house and sen
ate was brief.
The house OF representatives, organ
lied at the special session was to adopt
a resolution inviting the president &c
deliver his annual message. Adjourn.
nnent today follows these preliminaries
Congressmen expect the prohibition
amendment to pass the house by the
Christmas recess, after which the ses
sion is expected 70 proceed in earnest
A spirited fight over war tax is sched
uled Immediately.
The administration IS reported to favor
raising war funds by floating additional
liberty loans rather than imposing more
excess profits taxes. The Borah-John
son forces, which last session injected
high profits taxes into the revenue bill
viii fight the proposal. They will re
sew their wealth CONSUMPTION demand.
webb Export Bill
The senate will begin work early or
he Webb export bill. permitting Ameri
AN firms 20 form exports trusts anC
.-ymbinations. Illegal In domestic trade
This measure has the ADMINISTRATION.
-ntire influence behind Il. La Toilette
and Gronna will fight il as dangerous Z
the welfare OF american consumers.
The Administrations conservation pro
gram. after 2. ten years tieup due 4
5rrecOnciliable differences between Pin
chot forces and private capital seem
likely TO go through in full Water pow
or. coal lands and oil wells are affected
secretary lane ana tEe, Oeul " u
sfn have worked out a compromise plal
which proposes TO lease the lands ant
water power sites for nifty year period
with clauses limiting prices which TIA
lessee can set or his product TO the con
ssUmer.
Government aid TO the railroads, eithe
by leans or by building freight cars. WI
come at once before the session; 500,
600 900 Appropriation will be asked. it !
expected Government ownership o
railroads will BE argued, but no ties
vote IS anticipated
Further inquiry into Senator La Fol
Iatte's conduct viii begin December 1
with testimony by eT-Secretary OF Stat
Bryan. II he repeats his denial Of La
FolIette's statement that Bryan warn
ed President Wilson the Lusitania wa
illegally carrying munitions. La Fol
lette will subject Bryan to a grillin
cross-examfnation-