The Chattanooga news. [volume] (Chattanooga, Tenn.) 1891-1939, 1919-05-19
G. 0. P. RETURNS
AGAIN TO POWER
" Reconstruction Congress
in Extraordinary Session
at Noon Monday.
G II | ETTE SPEAKER
Presidents Message to Be
Presented Tuesday-Pre-
cedents Established.
Gillette Elected Speaker.

Gillette Elected Speaker.
Washington, May 1s.-(A. P.)--
Congress organized itself today
during the first hours of the ex-
traordinary session with the
election Of Representative Gill
lette as speaker of the house and
Senator Cummins, OF Iowa, as
president pro tempore Of the seH-
ate.
Tomorrow both houses meet to
hear President Wilson's message
eabIed from Paris. A flood Of
speeches on the peace treaty and
the league of nations are ex-
peeted to follow.
The avalanche of bills proposing to
undo much of the wartime legisla-
tion of the democratic party started
today.
BY a majority of five votes the re-.
publicans took control of the senate,
electing Senator Cummins president
pro tempore and defeating Senator
Key Pittman, of Nevada, democrat,
by record vote of AZ to AZ.
In the house the republicans ef-
fected organization by electing Rep
resentative Frederick H. Gillett, of
Massachusetts,, speaker, over Champ
Clark, of Missouri, speaker for the
last eight years.
To Communicate With Wilson.
Before adJourning, which was on
resolution of respect for the late
Representative Burnett, of Alabama,
the senate designated Senators Lodge
and Martin as a committee to COM
municate to the president that it was
ready for business, and abandoning
the prearranged plan not to meet
again until Thursday, voted to as
sembfe again tomorrow so that Pres
ident Wilson's message may be heard
at the same time it is being read in
the house.
Washington, May ia. P)-
The reconstruction congress, as
sembling in extraordinary session at
noon today, under the call issued by
President Wilson from Paris, May Z,
marks the return to power OF the
republicans and loss by the demo-
Gratis of control over the national
legislation body. Organization of
both the senate and house by the
new majority was today's principle
business.
The immediate work before the
congress, the sixty-sixth of the mer-
lean republic, is passage berore July
! of seven regular annual appropri-
alton bills which failed in the fill
buster last March. After that will
come consideration or the peace
treaty and covenant of the league of
nations and railroad, shipping, reve-
nue., woman suffrage, prohibition,
army and navy and much other leg
islation. Many Investigations, par
ticularly into war activities, also are
expected.
The republicans today, for the first
time since 1911, had maJorities in
both branches of congress as a re-
suit of the congressional elections
last November. In the house, they
have a margin of two-scOre votes,
but in the senate their majority is
only two, raising questions, in view
of factional and other differences,
of future action.
With President Wilson a democrat, |
the change in political complexion of
congress presented a situation SINH !
lar to that during the last two years
Of former President Taft's admins |
tration, when there was a democratic |
house, and to President Clevelands |
administration, in which there was
republican congress.
r orty-I,Ine Republicans and Forty |
Seven Democrats.
The senate assembling today had |
10 republicans and AZ democrats. The !
new house roll lists 23S republicans, |,
1883 democrats, 2 independents, pro-
l socialist and vacan-
cies (all in democratic districts)-a !
Total of 435. The house division |
gives the republicans a majority of !
i6 over the democrats, and 80 over |
Ill combined opposition. Republican |
action promises, however, to be re-
strained by' President Wilson's veto
power, as a two thirds vote IS neces-
,ary to override veto. Cooperation
administration officials and |
he republicans is expected on IN
contested matters.
Assembling of the new congress
vas marked by the establishment of
lew precedents. 1t was the first time
has convened with the pres
dent in Europe and his opening mes
sage cabled from foreign soil. The
Presidents message was not to be
sent 10 congress until tomorrow,
however, and it probably will make
10 reference TO the peace treaty, as
Mr.. Wilson expects to appear per-
'onally to present the treaty next
month. The presidents absence to-
lay disrupted the time-honored Gus
ON of appointing congressional
committees to call at the white house
or notification of the executive.
The session beginning today was
to run virtually to the time
# the regular December session,
which will precede the 1920 national
and presidential cam
,aign.
Marshal Administers Oath.
Vice President Marshal presided in
he senate and administered the oath
o the thirteen new senators electeu
asst November. South Trimble,
lerk of the house, convened that
'ody: The roll call by state dele
ations consumed considerable time
efore organization work began. Inn
ortant house committees were to be
hosen today, but the senate repub-
leans were not ready with their
ommittee assignments. because of
he fight against the election of Sen.
tors Penrose, of Pennsylvania, and
Warren, of Wyoming, as chairmen
Il the finance and appropriations
ommittees respectively.
Senate leaders arranged to adjourn
oday until Thursday, to give time
or the republicans work on COM