The Manning times. [volume] (Manning, Clarendon County, S.C.) 1884-current, 1917-12-05
CONGRESS CONVENES
in SECOND PART OF
SIxTY-F|f7H SESSION
Enormous War Bills Face National
Lawmakers.
OVER $l3,500,00O,O0O
Little Time for Other Than War
Problems, Says Senator Martin
and Representative Kitchin
Approves Idea.

Washington, Dec. 3.-Congress is
ready to. take up again it's part in
the prosecution of the war.
The second session of the Sixty
fifth Congress began today at noon
with brief routine business sessions
marked by the receipt of appropria-
tion estimates for. next years war
and ordinary expenses aggregating
the vast sum of $13,5O0, 100000.
Tomorrow the Senate and House
will meet in joint session at 1890 D.
m. to hear President Wilson deliver
his annual address.
Guidance by the President in the
work ahead is awaited by tacit agree
ment. Congressional leaders tonight
admitted with profound interest by
the world, virtually would outline the
sessions program.
Speculation as to the nature of the
PRESIDENTS address centers largely
upon the question whether he will
recommend declaration of war by the
United States against Germany's al
lies. General belief is that he will
not, at least for the present and that
Congress will follow his desires. Sen
timent for such action is widespread,
however, and individual members
probably will introduce war resolu-
tions. One or two, Senators were pre-
pared today to offer such resolutions,
but were prevailed upon to withhold
them.
A spirit of confidence apparently
pervades Congress. Returning men,
.bcrs exchanged views with declara-
tions of increased determination to
lend every aid in the vigorous con-
duct of the war. The leaders predict
ed that legislation would be confined
largely to war measures, as the Presi-
dent is understood to desire. Senator
Martin, Democratic leader in the SEN
ate, said there would be little time
for other than war problems, and
Representative Kitchin, the House
floor leader, announced after informal
conferences with colleagues, that he
was disposed to favor the plan. The
understanding, however, is that the
few weeks of the session, until after
the holiday recess at least, will be
open to general legislation.
The House judicial committee
meets tomorrow and as consideration
of national prohibition and woman
suffrage measures was postponed at
the last session on the basis of ac-
tion at this session the disposition of
many of the committeeman is to vote
on them now, one way or the other.
A war time aspect was given to-
days sessions by the presence Of
many uniformed men among spec
tators in the crowded galleries and
of women busily plying knitting
needles during the opening cere-
monies.
Senate proceedings were unusually
brief. After adoption of routine res
olutions, the Senate adjourned out of
respect to the late Senator Husting,
of Wisconsin. The House remained
in session until the joint committee
appointed to notify President Wilson
of the return of Congress reported
and then passed the resolution for to-
morrow's' joint session.
The usual crop Of bills, resolutions
and petitions was received in the
House, including resolution by Rep
resentative Martin, Louisiana, pro-
posing congressional investigation of
the sugar shortage.
Fitzgerald to Resign.
Representative John j. Fitzgerald,
of Brooklyn, N. Y, chairman Of the
important 'House appropriations COM
mittee, prominent Democratic leader
and member of Congress Of eigh-
teen years. service, announced late
today his intention to resign, effective
December 81, to resume the practice
Of law. His successor to head the ap-
preparation committee probably will
be Representative Swager Shirley, of
Louisville, KY, ranking Democratic
committeeman.
a Little business this week Is planned
by Senate and House leaders as the
leaders ans committee chairmen want
an opportunity to confer and to dis
cuss matters.