Evening star., 1917-12-03
SECOND SESSION
65TH congress
CONVENES TODAY
President Wilson to Outline
Legislative Program in
Address Tomorrow.
FIFTY BILLIONS FOR WAR
IS TWO-YEAR PROGRAM
Hostile Declaration Against Ger
many's Allies Regarded Possible.
New House Members Take Seats.

New House Members Take Seats.
The Sixty-ffth Congress reconvened
today for its second and "long" session.
with the leaders prepared to stay here
until next autumn.
As in the special war session which
ended october 6. prosecution OF the war
is the principal task facing the legis-
lators. Today's opening meeting was
as usual. brief and perfunctory, accom-
panied by the ordinary scenes OF new
session-handshaking and other felici-
tations, with well filled galleries ana
much hustle and confusion. After ap-
pointment of committees by both bodies
to notify President Wilson and eacn
other of their presence for duty ana
fixing their daily meeting hour at u
o'clock, the Senate and House ao-
journed until tomorrow out of respect
to members who had died during the
recess-Senator Husting Of Wisconsin
and Representative Martin OF Illinois.
President to Sound Keynote.
The keynote of the Legislative pro-
gram will be sounded tomorrow by
President Wilson in his opening ad-
dress. to be delivered in the House
chamber at 1890 pm. at a joint session.
1t will be the Presidents first appear
ance before Congress since the night
meeting of April 2, at the opening OF
the special session called to permit him
to ask for a declaration of war against
Germany.
Organization of both Senate and
House under democratic control hav-
ing been effected at the special session.
both houses were ready to plunge
into the mass of waiting business.
LEGISLATION, 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.
La Toilette Charges Considered.
Tomorrow will come the initial flood
OF bills. resolutions and petitions
Among the latter are many petitions
accuuulatedSaaalnl1s serastAe recess. de-
mAnding the expulsion of Senator La
Toilette Of Wisconsin, for alleged dis
loyalty. His speech last September at
st. Paul Minn.. 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
among returning members for declara
tions OF war against stIGermany's allies.
Austria Hungary. Turkey and Bulgaria.
Congress is expected. however. to fol-
low the views of the President in this
Appropriation measures will require
much time. Fourteen general and
proba bly, several special supply bills
for the fiscal year besinnins July !;
1918. as we'll as estimates of additional
money for present war needs, are to
be considered. probably Immediately
after New Year. Two bilfs-the legis-
lative, executive and judicial and Dis
trict of Columbia measures-already
are under preparation.
May Reach Fifty Billion Mark.
with s21. .3so. 900. 900 already appropri-
ated for the present fiscal years needs.
many members believe that, with forth
coming appropriations. the fifty billion
dollar mark may be reached for two years
Of war.
New war revenue legislation is not
a month or more. A deficit of $3,-
100000 in this years expenditures
remains to be provided for.
Political affairs will come in for much
consideration during the session. with
considerable speechmaking, in view of
general congressional elections next
fall at which thirty-two senators, nine
teen democrats and thirteen republic
cans. and the entire House member
ship are to be chosen. Many members
believe political campaign necessities
may shorten the session.
The democrats start the session in
control of both Senate and House.
with hfty-two democratic senator's
err11r Hct HSAv-fyr r. too
seat-Senator Husting's-vacant In
the House the democrats have PIG
members. the republicans 213. with five
independents and one seat vacant.
New Members Sworn In.
Several new members joined the
House today. Representative Lufkin. re-
publican, of the sixth Massachusetts
district. succeeding Augustus r. Card
ner. republican. who resigned; Repre-
sentative Beshiin. democrat. of the
twenty-eighth Pennsylvania district,
succeeding former Representative o. b.
Bleak1ey, republican, who resigned, and
Representative Merritt, republican, of
the fourth Connecticut. succeeding Rep
resentative Ebenezer Hill. republican,
deceased.
Closer scrutiny of appropriations and
departmental estimates during the pres
ent session Is generally predicted. with
efforts to prevent extravaganza while
funds for war needs.
Spectacular features during the ses-
sion are regarded possible develop
ments from the agitation against Sen
ator La Toilette and others because OF
their opposition to some war legisla-
ton. Senator La Toilette and Senator
Hardwick of Georgia have announced
their intention to seek repeal of the
draft law. while Senators La Toilette
and Sherman of Illinois have peace
resolutions pending before the Senate
foreign relations committee
Within the next few days President
Wilson Is expected to send to the SEN
civil officers appointed during the re-
cess or who failed of confirmation at
the last session.
Tro;u c;d..;. r a, w