South Bend news-times. (South Bend, Ind.) 1913-1938, 1917-12-03
FIRST SESSIONS
IN BOTH HOUSES
ONLY FORMAL
Committees Named to Inform
Wilson Body is Ready For
BuSineSS-WiII Hear Mes
sage tuesday.

international News Service
WASHINGTON. Dec. s.
Promptly at noon today both
houses were called to order for
the second session Of the 65th
congress.
Except for brief greeting
when Speaker Clark entered
the chamber, the opening of the
session in the house was purely
routine.
The chaplliu prayed for divine
guidance in this "the darkest hour
OF human history"
The session of the senate was
opened with a prayer 10y the chap
lain. the Res. J. Forrest Prettyman.
lie declared congress was called
together confronted by the mightiest
task that has confronted this or any
other generation OF men, but said
that mo price was too high TO pay
Tor the establishment of peace
among men and brotherhood Of ma
tons
Name Committee.
The senate appointed sen. Martin
os Virginia the majority leader. and
SEN. GaHnger of New Hampshire
The minority leader. 20 formally
notify the president that IL was
ready for business
Sir George Reid, a member OF the
British parliament. and former pre-
luier of Australia was on the SEN
ate ioor as the guest OF Sen. Hitch
Geek of Nebraska.
Admission TO the senate galleries
was by special card and only "a few
hundred visitors witnessed the open
ms ceremonies.
The customary exchange of greet
ire- between the two houses were
completed without incident.
SiNty-seveu senators answered TO
The roll call
announces Hastings Death.
Sen. Ia Toilette took tine floor to
formally announce the death of Sen.
Paul a. Husting of Wisconsin.
Tie declared he felt great person
al sorrow. shared. ] am sure by all
members OF the senate. He died un-
der tragic circumstances without
preceden and parallel I'M the history
of this body, sen. La Toilette said
The latter gave notice he would ask
Tho senate 20 set aside a day fof
cu,oeies sometime during the ses-
sion The senate adopted resolutions
OF sorrow and then adjourned out OF
respect to SEN Hastings memory,
after session Of "a minutes
The spectators galleries of the
house were comfortably filled except
the sections at the disposal OF the
president and diplomatic corps Tn
these galleries no seat was taken.
Public interest is reserved for to-
morrows session in the hall of ne
house. when Pres't Wilson viii read
his annual message 20 the house an~
senate i'm joint assemblage.
Mann Seriously M.
As soon as Chaplain Cuden finish
ed the opening prayer. Speaker
clark ordered the roll call Demo
cratic Leader Kitchin was on hand
and in his place when the speakers
-.Nel fell. Republican Leader Mann
however. is absent owing 20 serious
frress I'M Baltimore hospital In
hi~ seat sat Rep. Gmett of Massa-
,husetts. a veteran leader. The re-
publican steering committee Will
meet tomorrow and viii then au-
r5orize Mr.. Gillett 20 be republican
spokesman until Leader Nann's re-
Turn.
coneressman-el elect W. W Lufkin
of Massachusetts, was ON the floor
waiting 20 be sworn in as successor
Ia congressman Gardner.
Many Bills Oicred.
R.ls were dropped into the bas-
Eet on the speakers table hy the
score as soon as the house was IN
order. There is. however. no dispo-
~.t.on 10 haste on the part Of the
house leaders. and IL will be several
DAVIS before the legislative machin-
or. IS I'm smooth running order.
Rep Flood OF Virginia. chairman
Of the house foreign affairs COM
rittee. viii call a meeting OF his
committee tomorrow as soon as the
kevnote 20 the administration pro
srsm is disclosed in Pres't Wilson's
message.
rrr-r~N-l.t-~r IN WIN