Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1918-12-03
HUGE TASK To TAKE
MUCH TIME Of THE
CLOSING SESSIONS

WASHINGTON, Dec. THE sixty
fifth congress began its third and
final session today, with many i'm
portant matters before it. These in
clude solution Of the railroad prob
lem. the army and navy programs
reconstruction legislation. retrench-
ment in government expenditures, war
revenue legislation, woman suffrage
and the Colombian treaty.
In view of President Wilson's state
ment in his annual ADDRESS to congress
today, that he does not expect conclu-
sion of peace until spring, leaders to-
night expressed doubt whether the
present senate, which expires by limi-
tation next March 3, would be called
upon to act on the peace treaty.
Chairman Hitchcock of the senate
foreign relations committee said he
| expected several treaties would result
from the Paris conference general
treaty ending the war, but with
| specific, separate treaties dealing with
/ important matters like freedom of the
| seas and a league of nations.
| Senate Will Be Heard
/ While the peace negotiations are
| proceeding, extended debate in the
senate on all phases of the question
/ involved, is expected by leaders. SEN
| ator Hitchcock explained tonight that
| in this way the senate's views can be
| given to the conference.
Numerous investigations are in
prospect on both the senate and house
side. The senate judiciary committee
| inquiry into brewers activities will be
resumed tomorrow, and indefinite in
| vestigation of coal conditions is
| planned by the senate manufacturers
committee. The senate military COM
mittee tomorrow will start inquiries
into alleged delay in transmission Of
army casualty reports. 1t took up to-
cay an inquiry into the war depart
ments demobilization plans.
The first general legislation TO come
up at this session will be the revenue
bill, which the senate finance com
mittee plans to report Thursday. Re.
publican members decided today t,
file a minority report opposing the plar
to fix 1920 taxes, and fight in tn,
senate and house, which many mem
bers believe will prevent passage o
the measure in its present form, i
forecast.
To Tackle Big Questions
Work on the major appropriation
bills, including the navy measure, al
ready is under way in committees, bu
none of them is expected to be read,
to report to the house before tn
Christmas recess, as the committee
intend TO scrutinize all provisions an,
pare down expenses wherever possible
Immediate steps are planned b
senate and house leaders to deal wit
railroad legislation, probably by
comprehensive investigation into a
phases of this admittedly complicate
subject.
Action on the Colombian treaty
growing out of the Panama canal con
troversy, is planned at this session
> Senator Hitchcock said he understoo
| the state department now is negotiat
ing a new treaty to substitute for tn
Z pending convention, which propose
payment of $4,000, 900 to Colombo
and controverts a clause to which re
publicans have objected, expressin
regret for this nations course in tn
Panama negotiations.
Early action also is planned on tn
woman suffrage resolution, passed b
e the house last January and its advo
Gates have increased home for il
adoption.