The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1917-12-03

control Of both senate and house with
SO Democratic senators against 43
Republicans, with one seat-Senator
Husting's-vacant. In the house the
Democrats have 216 members, the
Republicans 213, with FIVE independ-
ents and one seat vacant.
Several New Members.
Several new members Joined the
house today, Representative Lufkin,
Republican, Of the sixth Massachus-
etts district succeeding Augustus p.
Gardner, Republican, who resigned;
Representative Deshlin, Democrat, of
the twenty-eighth Pennsylvania dist
rict, succeeding former Representa-
tive Bleakley, Republican, who re-
signed. and Representative Merritt,
Republican, of the fourth Connecti-
cut, succeeding Representative
Ebenezer Hill, Republican, deceased.
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.
Prohibition and Suffrage.
Chief among domestic concerns are
prohibition and woman suffrage
Senator Sheppard's proposed consti-
tutional amendment. whose submts-
sion was approved Aug. by the SEN
ate SIS to 20, will be pressed in the
house, while both bodies will be urged
| to approve submission of the So
called Susan B. Anthony amendment
for equal suffrage, which has been
favorably reported to the senate
calendar. Speaker Clark soon will
-
special house committee on woman
suffrage.
Important general legislation pend
ing because of its 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
unfinished business; the Shields
water power development bill; the
Walsh -Pittman oil and coal land
leasing measure, and the Colombian
treaty. proposing payment Of $685.
100000 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
committee, It operates in the nature
Of moratorium, suspending court
processes against members of the
American military forces. Other un-
finished war legislation includes Sen
ator Chamberlain's resolution to sub
jecr aliens to the draft; Senatof
Calder's bills for daylight saving and
expeditions naturalization of altenS
and Senator Pomerene's bills, to en-
force government control Of iron and
steel products and for reclamation OF
physically UNFIT men for military SER
vice.
Revision Of second class postage
rates for publications also promises
to be agitated during the session.
Committeo On War.
Creation Of a congressional COM
mittee to supervise war expenditures,
which President Wilson prevented
during the last session, will be urged
by Senator Weeks of Massachusetts,
and other Republicans. The proposal
Of Chairman Fitzgerald Of the house
appropriations committee for single
committee to control war appropria-
tions also is pending.
Closer scrutiny Of approprta tions
and departmental estimates, during
the present session Is generally pre-
dicted, with efforts to prevent ex-
travagance while at the same time
providing adequate funds for war
needs.
Spectacular features during the
session are regarded as possible
developments from the agitation
against Senator La Toilette and oth-
ers because OF their opposition to
some war legislation. He and Sem
at0r Hardwick OF Georgia have an-
nounced their intention TO seek re-
peal Of the draft law, while Senators
La Toilette and Sherman OF Illinois
have peace resolutions pending be-
fore the senate foreign relations COM
mittee.
Within the next few days President
/ Wilson Is expected to send TO the
| senate nominations Of many military
and civil oficers appointed during the
recess or who failed Of confirmation
, at the last session.