Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1919-05-19
New Congress Convenes at Noon Today
Many Momentous Questions to Be Settled
Immediate Attention to Big Money Bills
Presidents Message
Will Not Be Read in
House Until Tuesday
and in Senate on
Thursday

Washington, May 1S.-Attention
of America and of the world is turn
ed upon the new Congress, the seth
in American history, which is to con-
vene at noon tomorrow in extraor-
binary session called by President
Wilson from Paris.
All was in readiness tonight for
the Inauguration Of the special ses-
sion which is expected to open a
new and important chapter in Am
erican and world history. with it's
long program of action. including
consideration of the peace treaty, the
proposed treaty for the military pro-
lection of France and of, innumer-
able and vital questions of domestic
concern.
The opening day as usual will be
taken up with routine business. in
Guiding organization of the Senate
and House by the Republicans. who
supplant the Democrats in control
for the first time in eight years.
President Wilson's message, cabled
from: paris. was being prepared to-
night for submission to the Congress.
but is not scheduled for delivery to-
morrow. 1t probably will be read to
the House on Tuesday and in the
Senate Thursday, adjournment of the
L. -
morrow until Thursday.
Organization tomorrow by the Re-
publicans proposes election of Sen
ator Cummins of Iowa. as president
pro tempore of the Senate. and of
Representative Gillett of Massachu.
sets as Speaker. The Republicans
have majority of two in the Sem
ate and 40 in the House. Major
House committees will be organized
tomorrow, preparatory to beginning
work Immediately. but Senate COM
mittee organization will be deferred.
Work of Congress throughout the
session will be entwined with prep
arations for the 1920 presidential
campaign.
Congress expects to turn it's atten-
lloil W SiC oSNSii iC5u
lar appropriation bills, including the
large army and navy measures.
which died in the Republican fill
buster last March. Passage of these
bills will be followed by considera
ton of revenue, railroad. shipping.
woman suffrage. prohibition and 9TH
err legislation.
The peace treaty is expected to be
submitted next month by President
Wilson in person: ratification Of the
treaty, including the League of Ma
tions, promises to develop into one
of the most dramatic and hard
fought contests in Congressional his
tory.
Addresses on peace subjects are ex-
pected to begin soon in the Senate.
Before Congress will come problems
of reconstruction and the nations re-
version to peace conditions entailing
measures for stimulation and extension
Of American commerce and industry.
provisions against unemployment. aid
for returned soldiers and the new army
and navy policies.
Numerous Investigations xre planned
by the Republicans. principally into adj
ministrative acts during the war. Many
committees, it is expected, soon will be
busy delving into affairs of popular in
terest
Tomorrow's program as outlined to-
night contemplated organiza ton of both
branches by the Republicans. No hitch
in the House program was in prospect
but Senate Democrats were consider
ing objections to the Republican organ
ization plans with the possible block
ing of them for a day at least because
of cancellation by the Renublicans OF
pairs" for absent members.
Few leaders expect the session open.
ing tomorrow to end before the regular
December session. which it is believed
Will continue until the national party
conventions and possibly be resumed
Immediately thereafter to continue until
the late fall of 1920.