The Watertown news. [volume] (Watertown, Wis.) 1917-1919, 1917-12-03
CONGRESS BACK
AT WORK; FACES
HUGE TASK
Most MOmentouS Session in His
tory to Provide SineWs to
Crush Foe.
5000, 900 IN new ARMY
President Wilson's Message to Con-
gress Will Be Delivered Tomorrow
Many War Measures to Be
Discussed.

Washington, Dec. 3.-Congress re-
turned to work today. After an eight
weeks rest the members are back, pre-
pared to buckle down to a session that
may drag along until next October.
Momentous events are anticipated.
War legislation of supreme impor-
tance will hold the center of the stage.
The gavel fell in both houses
promptly at noon, Vice President Mar
shall presiding in the senate and
Speaker Clark in the house.
The usual delay accompanying the
perfecting of a permanent organiza-
ton at the opening of biennial ses-
sions was eliminated. All of that was
disposed of at the start of the special
war session in April. The committees
named then will stand throughout the
Sixty-fifth congress-
Presidents Message Tuesday.
President Wilson's message to con-
gress will be delivered tomorrow. The
president will go to the capitol in per-
son, occupying the speakers rostrum
In the house while he reads what will
be one of the important state papers
of the war
Upon his utterances relative to our
war aims hang the interest of the en-
tire world
Returning lawmakers have brought
with them innumerable suggestions for
legislation.
War measures which are certain to
come up for discussion during the
session include the following:
Amendments TO the present war tax
law and authorization of new bond
issues for the fiscal year 191S-1919.
Appropriations of S13,OOO,OOO 1000 or
more for the next fiscal year.
Expansion of the army, which upon
the completion of the second draft
Will reach by next summer almost
2,5O0,Oc0 to from 100000 to 5,OOO,-
600.
Authorization of new foreign loans
of S7,OoO,00O,000 or more for that
year.
Increase in the Navy.
An increase in the size of the navy
now numbering about 270,0OO and the
construction of more destroyers and
other craft for combating the sub
marine peril
Amendments to the draft law low
ering the minimum age from twenty
one to eighteen or nineteen without,
probably, extending its scope above
thirty.
Authorization of additional drafts
from those already registered or
others to be listed in the future.
Universal military training as a per-
manent policy.
Declaration of war against Austria
Turkey and Bulgaria, allies of Ger
many.
Amendment to the espionage act to
extend surveillance to German women
and Austro-Hungarians, Turks and
Bulgarians.
Power to take citizenship from
naturalized citizens who fail to sup
port the government.
Military to Try PIotters.
Transfer from the civil courts to
the military authorities of all cases of
persons who destroy food intended
for the army or navy, blow up
bridges. place bombs for the purpose
of destroying life or indulge in sabo-
fage
Civil rights legislation proclaiming
q moratorium for soldiers and sailors
making it impossible for them to
suffer losses through the failure to pay
insurance premiums, house rent and
. similar items during the war.
Amendments to food control law
giving the food administration power
over small retailers and otherwise
extending its authority.
Amendments TO the shipping board
law increasing the power of the chair
man and centralizing authority, now
scattered in several agencies, in his
hands
Development of shipping program
as one of the most important phases OF
the war
Railroad legislation including crea
ton of transportation director witt
authority over all the roads of the
country.
Labor measures including conscrip
ton of Labor for government in
duStrieS If strikes continue to curtai
production in the shipyards and NUM-
lions plants.
Vesting of authority in some gov
ernment agency to fix the prices OF
iron and steel products.
Amendments to the fuel section O,
food control law with a view to re
1ieving present coal difficulties.
Various measures designed TO co