Free trader-journal. (Ottawa, Ill.) 1916-1920, 1919-05-20
new CONGRESS GETS.
UNDER WAY WITH C..
0. P. IN HARNESS
PARTY OPPOSED TO PRESIDENT
TAKES OVER LEGISLATIVE
BRANCH OF. GOVERNM EMIT
FIGHT PROMISED ON LEAGUE
OF NATIONS.

Washington, May 20.-The sixty
sixth or reconstruction Congress.
called into extraordinary session by
President Wilson from Paris, con
yened at noon Monday and Republic
an maojrities in senate and house or
anized both bodies
Representative Gillett Of Massachu-
sets was elected speaker of the house
over Representative Champ Clark OF
Missouri, Democra. ic candidate and
former speaker, by vote of 227 to
l72
Senator Cummins OF Iowa, Repub-
licau candidate, was chosen president
pro dempore of the senate over Sen
ator Pittman Of Nevada. Democrat, ~
to Il. Several Democrats We're alb
sent, but all Republicans were in their
seats.
Hold Full Control.
The Republicans of both sides also
elected full states OF other officers and
thus, for the first time since 1911, re-
turned to control of the American ma
tional legislature.
Routine affairs of organization com
prised the opening days proceedings,
both bodies adjornuing until noon to-
day, when President wilson's cabled
message will be read separately in
the senate and house by clerks The
senate concluded its session in fifty
minutes and the house in two hours
and twenty minutes.
Although keenly realized by all
members, there was no outward evil
dence in the initial proceedings of the
enormous amount of work ahead. The
peace treaty with Germany, including
the league Of nations covenant; the
Austrian treaty and the proposed con,
vention for protection Of France, are
not expected before next month. All
hold promise of dramatic debate.
viii Rush Appropriations.
Appropriation bills which failed in
the filibuster last March will be rush
ed in the house Chairman Good OF
the appropriations committee called a
meeting for today to begin work on
the general deficiency measure.
Legislation dealing with railroads
telegraphs and telephones woman suf-
frage, prohibition, repeal of the lux
ury taxes and other pressing subjects
are promised in the van of important
economic and reconstruction ques-
lions.
Predict Long Session.
This legislation is expected TO hold
Congress in session almost cOntinu-
ously until the presidential conven-
lions in 1920 investigations planned
by the Republicans Of numerous ad
ministration acts also are expected to
begin in the near future, with inau-
guration probable in the house in con
nection with appropriation bills.
The food Of bills which is expected
to make the new Congress momentous
began in the house and the senate's
initial measures will be presented 10
day. House resolution No ! was the
woman suffrage constitutional amend
ment measure introduced by former
Republican Leader Mann Of Illinois.
Galleries Are Crowded.
Despite the Formally Of yesterdays
proceedings and the absence OF the
President-the first time Congress ha;
al, Mt o.
soil--overfow crowds in both senate
and house galleries witnessed th'
birth of new Congress. Many cabi
net officers and other high official
were spectators.
When house members we're swOrl
in Representative Victor Berger o
Wisconsin, the lone Socialist member
who was convicted of violating tn
espionage law, was prevented fror
taking the oath upon objection of Rel
sets, chairman of the elections con
mittee, He was ordered by Speake
Gillett to stand aside and was not a
lowed to address the house, whic
adopted unanimously resolution al
thorizing a committee to investigat
his right TO membership.
No, objection was raised from tn
senate floor to the seating of Senate
Truman H. Newberry of Michigan, r.
publican, whose election Is being COZ
tested by Henry Ford. Democra
Formal notice of renewal of the Fol
contest, with request for a cor
mittee investigation, was filed.