Deming graphic. (Deming, N.M.) 1903-1948, 1919-05-20
67HCDNGRESS SCOMENES
Representative Gillette Elected sS
Speaker and Champ Clark Is
Named By Democrats

Tho Sixty-sixth Congress convened
IN extraordinary session on Monday
IN response TO Presidents Wilson's
call. The extra session was made 1ec-
essary by the failure Of the last Con-
gress TO pass the necessary appropri-
ations to maintain the different de-
partments after June 30th, 1919.
There appropriations were purposely
held up by the Republican senator's in
one Of the most notorious filibusters
ever pulled of In the history Of the
country, for the purpose Of forcing
the president TO call an extra session.
Otherwise this Congress would not
have convened till December of this
year. BY forcing the president TO call
Congress together in this extra ses-
sion, the Republicans hope 10 get
much advantage in the next years
political campaign, as II will give
them six months in which to make
medicine.
Representative Gillett was elected
speaker Of the House, and Represep-
tative Mondell Of Wyoming will be
their floor leader. Champ Clark was
named by the Democrats for speaker
and thus becomes their floor leader
again.
Lodge Of Massachusetts, was elected
president protein by the Republicans.
the Democrats naming Pitman of
Nevada for that place.
While the House is controlled by
the Republicans by a good working
majority. the Senate is so nearly
evenly divided that il will be difficult
for any radical partisan legislation TO
be PASSED. II will also have to be
taken into consideration that any
legislation which is not acceptable 10
President Wilson will have 10 be
passed over his veto, and this will be
impossible under the circumstances
Besides the handicap Of a slender ma
jority. the Republicans are faced with
the fact that in their majority must
be counted several "progressives'
who have never worked in harmony
with the old guard.
The Democrats have named the fol-
lowing as steering committee:
Williams, Mississippi; Reed, Mis-
souri,; Simmons, North Carolina.
Smith, Georgia; Walsh, Montana;
Thomas, Colorado; Chamberlain, Ore
gon; Owen, Oklahoma; Robinson, Ar
kansas; Pittman, Neveda, and Under
wood. Alabama.
Senator Martin as chairman and
Senator Hitchcock of Nebraska as
vice chairman Of the Democratic cau-
Gus are ex-officio members Of the
committee.
Legislation TO be given considera-
ton by the House Immediately after
the annual appropriation bills are dis
posed OF has been agreed upon by the
Republican steering committee, sub
ject to the approval Of the conference
of Republican representatives.
AS announced by Representative
Mondell, chairman Of the committee,
the program includes immediate re-
peal OF the tax o nsemi-luxuries, leg
islation for the return Of telephone
and telegraph companies to private
control, railroad Legislation, determin-
alton OF q national shipping policy,
passage Of the woman suffrage
Inauguration of budget
system, means for reducing govern
ment expenses, tariff legislation and
measures benehting returned SOL
diers and sailors.
Senator Overman of North Caro-
lima, chairman Of the senate commit
tee which has been investigating the
spread of lawless propaganda in the
United States, has announced that a
bill designed to reach persons advo-
eating overthrow of the government
by force will be introduced.