Greenbrier independent. [volume] (Lewisburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1859-1980, 1919-05-23
CONGRESS IN EXTRA SESSION.

CONGRESS IN EXTRA SESSION.
The siXty-siXth or reconstruction"
congress, called into extraordinary
session by President Wilson from
Paris convened at noon Monday and
republican majorities in the senate
and house organized both bodies In
the senate the Republicans have
Majority Of ,; in the House about 40.
Representative Gillett, Of Massa-
chusetts. was elected speaker OF the
House over representative Champ
Clark, of Missouri, democratic candi-
date and former speaker, by a vote
of 227 to 172. Senator Cummins, of
Town, the Republican candidate. was
chosen president pro-tempore of the
senate over Senator Pittman, of Ne
vada, Democrat, Al to AZ. Several
Democrats were absent but all Re-
publicanS were in their seats, two
Withholding their votes.
The Republicans of both bodies
also elected full states of other Off
GERS and thus. for the first time since
1911, returned to control of the Am
erican national legislature
Routine affairs Of organization
comprised the opening days proceed
ings, both bodies adjourning until
noon Tuesday. when President Will
sons cabled message was read sepa-
rately in the senate and house by
clerks. The senate Monday con-
cluded its session in fifty minutes
and the house in two hours and twen-
ty minutes.
Although keenly realized by all
members there was no outward evil
dence Of the initial proceedings OF
the enormous amount of work ahead.
The peace treaty with Germany, in
Guiding the league of nations cove
nant, the Austrian theaty and the
| proposed convention for protection OF
France are not expected before next
month. All hold promise of dramat-
iC debate.
Appropriation bills which failed in
the fliDuster last March will be
rushed Immediately in the house.
Chairman Good, of the house appro-
priatiOn committee Monday call
ed meeting for Tuesday to begin
work on the general deficiency meas
ure.
Legislation dealing with railroads,
telegraphs and telephones, woman
suffrage. prohibition, repeal of the
luxury taxes and other pressing sub
iects are promised in the van of m
portant economic and RECONSTRUCT
lion questions.
President Wilson's cabled message
outlining legislation for the extra ses-
IF
separately in the senate and house
Tuesday by clerks and arrangements
were made by congressional leaders
for immediate consideration of the
vast Legislative programme with the
equal suffrage resolution to come up
Wednesday in the house.
Major recommendations of the
president were for cary return to
private ownership of railroads, tele-
graphs and telephones, for repeal of
wartime prohibition insofar as apply
ing to beer ard wines, for woman suf-
frage. retaliatory tariffs, protection
of the dyestuff industry and labor and
employment measures. The Presi-
cent announced his intention to turn
back the railroads at the end OF the
calendar year.
Republican leaders met the Presi-
dents proposals for early return Of
public utilities by statements that
such legislation was already planned
AS to the prohibition Recommendation
both Republican and Democratic
dry leaders joined in vigorous
statements dissenting from the Presi-
dents suggestions and predicting
that no beer and wire repeal would
he passed. Opinion in both senate
and house as ascertained by leaders
was general that the ban on beer and
wine would not be lifted.
Neither The senate or house were in
session much more than an hour, the
former adjOurning until next Friday
and the house until Wednesday. Be-
fore the Presidents message was
:ead. the house arranged to take up
Wednesday the woman suffrage reso-