The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1917-12-03

ing 'a-vacant In the house the Demo
Gratis have 2l6 members, the Republi-
cans ol3. with five Independents and
one seat vacant.
Several new members Joined the
house today, Representative Lufkin,
Republican, of the Sixth Massachu-
setts district succeeding Augustus P.
Gardner, Republican, who resigned
Representative Deshlin, Democrat, Of
the 28th Pennsylvania district, succeed
ing former Representative Bleakley, Re
publican, who resigned, and Represent
alive Merritt, Republican, of the fourth
Connecticut, succeeding Representative
Ebenezer Hill, Republican, deceased.
Important war legislation expected
to come before the present session in
cludea measures to give the President
further authority, especially over
enemy aliens. Senator Chamberlain s
bin for universal military training, and
measures to meet labor conditions.
Chief among domestic concerns are
prohibition and woman suffrage. Sena
tor Sheppard 5 proposed constitutional
amendment, whose submission was APP
proved August / by the Senate So to
20, will be pressed in the house, while
! both bodies will be urged to approve
submission to the so-called Susan b.
Anthem; amendment for equal suffrage,
| which has been favorably reported to
| the senate calendar. Speaker Clark
will appoint a chairman for the new,
special house committee on woman
| suffrage.
Important general legislation pend.
/ ing because OF its exclusion from the
| special war session are the Webb bill
! permitting exporters to combine in for.
| eign trade, which has twice passed the
| house and is the senate S unfinished
business; the Shields waterpower de-
velopment bill; the Walsh Pittman oil
and coal land leasing measure, and the
Colombian treaty, proposing payment
| of $50, 900, 900 to Colombia.
The administration soldiers and
sailors civil rights bill, which passed
the house last session but failed to get
through the senate, soon viii be taker
up by the senate judiciary committee
1t operates in the nature of mora
forum, suspending court processe,
against members of the American mill
tary forces. Other unfinished war leg
islation includes Senator Chamberlain !
resolution to subject aliens to tn,
draft; Senator Calder's bill for day
light saving and expeditions naturaliza
tion of aliens, and Senator Pomerene
bills, to enforce government control o
iron and steel products and for recla
nation Of physically unfit men for mill
tarv service.
Revision of second class postag
rates for publications also promises t
be agitated during the session.
Creation of n congressional commit
tee to supervise war expenditures
which President Wilson prevented dun
ing the last session. will be urged b
Senator Weeks Of Massachusetts an
other Republicans. The proposal o
r Chairman Fitzgerald of the House al
: preparations committee for singl
committee 10 control war appropria
| tions also is pending.
Closer scrutiny of appropriations an
: departmental estimates. during til
= present session is generally predicted
? with efforts to prevent extravaganza
while at the SAME time providing ad,
quate funds for war needs.
. Spectacular features during the Sc
= sion are regardedca possible develoI
r ments from the agitation against Sci
ator La Toilette and Others because
: their opposition to some war legisl
. tion. lie and Senator Hardwick
Georgia have announced their inte
n tion 10 seek repeal of the draft Ia,
z waile Senators La Toilette and She
t man of Illinois have peace resolution
pending before the Senate foreign 7
l. lations committee
y Withia the next few days Preside,
y Wilson Is expected to send to the Sc
ate nominations OF many military al
e civil officers appointed during the I
d cess or who failed Of confirmation
Is the last session.