Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1919-05-22

Washington. May fa.-The s,Sty-sixth.
Reconstruction Congress, called into
Extraordinary session by President Will
bn from Paris, convened at noon to-day
nd republican majorities In Senate and
[ouse organized both bodies.
Representative Gillett of Massachusetts
as elected speaker of the House over
representative Champ Clark OF Missouri,
emocratic candidate and former speaker.
vote of 2N to 172.
Senator Cummins of Iowa, the republi-
IN candidate was chosen president pro
,mpore of the Senate over Senator Pitt
an of Nevada, democrat AZ to AZ. Sew
raj democrats were absent, but all re-
ublicans were in their seats, two with
Olding their votes.
The republicans of both bodies also
ected states of other officers and thus,
pr the first time, since 1911, returned to
bntrol of the American national legisla-
lre.
Routine affairs of organization COM
rised the opening days proceedings,
9th bodies adjournng until noon to-
borrow, when President Wilson's cabled
hessage will be read separately in the
enate and House by clerks. The
enate to-day concluded Its session in 30
minutes.
Although keenly realized by all men,
ers, there was no outward evidence in
he initial proceedings of the enormous
mount of work ahead. The peace treaty
nth Germany, including the League of
ations covenant, the Austrian treaty.
nd the proposed convention for protec-
on of France are not expected before
Of
Fanatic debate.
Appropriation bills which failed in the
libuster last March will be rushed i'm
hediately in the House. Chairman Good
+ the House appropriations committee
b-night called a meeting for to-mor-
pw to begin work on the general de-
cheney measure.
Legislation dealing with railroads,
elegraphs and telephones, woman suf-
rage. prohibition, repeal of the luxury
axes and other pressing subjects are
romised in the van Of important
economic and reconstruction questions
This legislation is expected by leaders
hold Congress In session almost contin-
DULY until the presidential conventions
1920.
Investigations planned by the republi-
hns Of numerous administration acts also
re expected to begin in the near future,
18th introduction probable in the House
connection with appropriation bills.
The flood of bills which Is expected to
lake the new Congress momentous began
the House to-day and the Senate's in-
al measures will be presented tomorrow.
louise resolution No. 1 was the woman
lffrage constitutional amendment meas
re, introduced by former Republican
eader Mann of Illinois.
Despite the formality of to-day's pro-
bedings and the absence Of the Pres-
ent- the first time Congress has opened
18th President on foreign sol-overflow
fowds in both Senate and House galleries
itnessed the birth of the new Congress.
tany cabinet officers and other high off,
ais were spectators in the House,
here cheering and experimenting lent
formal tone of popular interest.
When House members were sworn in,
representative Victor Berger of Wiscon-
n, the lone socialist member who was
bnvicted Of violating the espionage law
as prevented from taking the oath, upon
pjection of Representative Dallinger of
Massachusetts, chairman of the elections
bmmittee. He was ordered by Speaker
llett to stand aside and was not allowed
nimously a resolution authorizing a COM
ittee to investigate his right to member
nip.
No objection was raised from the Senate
Dor to the seating of Senator Truman
Newberry of Michigan, republican,
hose election is being contested by
enry Ford, democrat Formal notice
renewal of the Ford contest, with
quest for committee investigation,
as fled.
In addition to electing officers, the
enate adopted the usual resolutions of
rocedure with a departure in that for
ptifying the President. because of his
bsence in Paris OF the converting. The
enate committee OF notification, Repub-
can Leader Lodge and Democratic
eader Martin met late day with the
ouse committee, Republican Leader
ondell Representative Mann and for
er Speaker Clark, and decided upon
Herent courses The Senate leaders
bnt a cable merely advising the Presi-
bnt of the Senate's formal action to-
by, while the House committee sent a
tier of notification to the White
ouse.
Major committees of the House were
.ganized to-day, but Senate committee
ppointed the republican conference
bmmittee on committees to make
ssignments, selecting two leaders of the
rogressive group, Senators Borah,
nd johnson of California. Both advised
II. Lodge that they did not wish to
Prve. but will be urged to accept. The