The daily banner., 1919-05-20
CONGRESS- BEGINS.
EXTRA SESSION
Republicans in Control After
Eight Years.
ORGANIZE BOTH HOUSES
Avalanche of Bills Proposing to Undo
Much of Wartime Legislation Has
Started.

Washington, May 2O.-Congress or
ganized itself during the first hours
of the extraordinary session, with the
election of Representative Gillett as
sneaker of the house and Senator
Cummins, of Iowa, as president pro
temp0re of the senate.
Today both houses met to near
President Wilson's message cabied
from Paris. \ flood of speeches on
the peace treaty and the league Oh
nations are expected: TO follow.
The avalanche of bills proposing 10
alndo much of the wartime leg station
of the Democratic party started.
George A Sanderson, of Chicago,
was elected secretary of the senate;
David S. Barry, of Providence, X. l.,
sergeant-at4arms. These and other
minor officials were selected without
a rOll-call.
BY majority of five votes, the
Republicans took control of the sen
ate. electing Senator Cummlns prcsi-
dent pro tempOre and defeating Seli-
ator Key Pittman, of Nevada. Demo
crat, by record vote of II 10 II.
In the house the Republicans eff
fected organization by electing Repre-
sentative Frederick II. tiilletl, OF Mas
sachusetls, speaker over Champ Clark.
Of Missouri, speaker for the last eight
years.
The poll showed 221 for Gillett and
172 for Clark. Representative CarrS,
Minnesota, Independent. and Randall,
of California, observation-disclosures,
voted for Clark. Victor Berger, of
Wisconsin, whose SEA ing is to he con-
tested because he is under conviction
for violation of the espionage law, did
not attempt TO vote.
1t took more than an hour and n
half to get through the long POLL call
of 435 names and make ready for The
speakers election.
Republican Leader Lodge presented
the resolution proposing Senator Cum
Minis and Democratic Leader Martin
proposed Senator Pittman. On the
first roll call under the new poll. .iral
alignment all Republicans except Sen
atOr CumminS himself and Senator
Calder, of New York, who announced
he withheld his vOte in recognition of
a pair with Senator Gerry. of Rhode
Island, Democrat. voted against Senn-
tor Pittman.
The resolution for Senator Cum
Minis then WAS adop.pd vivi voce Sen
ator Overman, Of North Carolina.
nounced the result.
Before adjourning, which was on a
resolution of respect for the late Rep
reSentative Burnett. of Alabama. the
senate designated Senators Lodge and
Martin as committee to communicate
to the president that it was ready for
business, and, abandoning the prear-
ranged plan not TO meet again until
Thursday, voted to assemble so that
President Wilson's message may
be heard at the same time it is being
read in the house.
The business Of swearing in new
senator's was disposed of quickly, as
they came to the vice presidents desk
in fours.
In the house, where there were
greater number of new members, it
took longer. All the Republican SEN
ators were present Four Democrats
we're absent.
A food Of bills relating to scores
of subjects were tossed into great
waste basket provided for the occa-
sion. AS expected, a large number
proposed the repeal of war taxes and
return of public utilities taken over
by the government