Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1917-12-03
CONCRESSON
DECK; START
GREAT MEET
President Will Tomorrow
Sound Keynote of War
Session.


fifth congress re-c0nyened today
for its second and 1l0ngr session,
with the leaders prepared to stay
here until next autumn. As in the
special war session which ended
Oct. 6, prosecution OF the war Is
the principal task facing the legis-
lators.
Today's opening meeting was as
usual, brief and perfunctOry, ac-
c0mpanied by the ordinary scenes
of a new session-handshaki
and other fluctuations, with well
filled 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 e o'clock,
the senate and house adjourned
until tomorrow out Of respect to
members who died during the re-
eess-Senator Husting OF Wiscgn-
| sin and Representative Martin OF
| Illinois.
The keynote of the legislative pro-
gram viii be sounded Tuesday by
President Wilson In his opening adj
dress to be delivered in the house
chamber at 1890 p. M. at joint ses-
sion. It will be the presidents hrst
!, appearance before congress since the
night meeting OF April at the open
ing OF the special session called to per-
nit him to ask for declaration Of war
against Germany.
Organization of both senate and
house under democratic control hay-
ing been effected at the special ses-
sion, both bodies were ready to plunge
: into the mass of waiting business Leg
islation, however, is not expected to
/, get into full swing until next month.
after the Christmas recess, although
? there is some agitation to forego the
holiday.
Program for Tuesday.
Tomorrow will come the initial food
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. His speech last September at
st. Paul. Mimi, was considered today
by the senate privileges and elections
committee in connection with sub
committees investigation.
General, miscellaneous legislation is
= TO come Immediately before congress,
possibly including some measures af-
- fecting this country's course In the
war in view OF widespread sentiment
9 among returning members for declara-
: tons of war against Germany's allies
. Austria-Hungary Turkey and Bull
9 garia. Congress is expected, however
- to follow the views OF the president In
n this respect.
g Appropriation measures will require
= much time Fourteen general ant
Iv probably several special supply bill!
= for the fiscal year beginning July /
1918, as well as estimates of additiona
= money for present war needs. are to b
n considered, probably Immediately afte
Of New Years. Two bills, the Legislative
A. executive and judicial and District O
ID Columbia measures, already are unde
70 preparation.
ic With SCI 800 600, 900 already appro
ar priated for the present fiscal year
needs. many members believe tina
m with forthcoming appropriations, tn
o. flfty-hillion dollar mark may
n reached for two years of war.
g New war revenue legislation Is nj
he scheduled for active consideration &c
70 a month or more A deficit Of SS.9o6
ba 100000 in this years expenditures n
a mains to be provided for.
III Political affairs will come in Il
IS much consideration during the sessio
nm with considerable speechmaking.
cd view Of general congressional election
next fall at which SO senators,
Democrats and Is Republicans. and Il
entire house membership are to
chosen. Many members believe poll
II zeal campaign necessities may shorts
the session.
De Democrats Control Session.
las The Democrats start the session
er- control Of both senate and house wi
DE 81 Democratic senators against 43 r
publicans, with one seat-Senat
an Hastings -vacant In the house I
the Democrats have 216 members. the F,
ess publicans 2f3. with five independer
and one seat vacant.
as Several new members joined I
al house today, Representative Lufk
the Republican, of the Sixth Masachuse
district succeeding Augustus P. Cal
owe ner. Republican. who resigned; Rep
sentative Beshlin, Democrat, OF I
Twenty eighth Pennsylvania distri
succeeding former Representa-
;or- Bleakley, Republican. who resign
dis and Representative Merritt. Reput
and can, of the Fourth Connecticut, 81
10 ceeding Representative Ebenezer H
owe Republican. deceased
Tore Important war legislation expec
TO GENE before the present session
cludes measures to give the presid
further authority. especially over
cad envy aiients. Senator Chamberlai
ID / bill for universal military traini
the ard measures TO meet labor conditio
ayes Chief among domestic concerns
I'M prohibition and woman suffrage. S
cad. ator Sheppard's proposed consti
II . II /