The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1919-05-21
GOTH CONGRESS
CONVENED MONDAY
Republican Majority In Both
Houses
REP. GILLETTE
ELECTED SPEAKER

SOCIALIST Berger not Allowed to Take
His Seat. Special Committee An.
pointed to Investigate His Right to
Membership. Senator Newberry, of
Michigan, ord Opponent Is Seated.
Washington. May 19.-The sixty
sixth, or Reconstruction" congress,
called into extraordinary session by
President Wilson from Paris. conyen-
cd at noon today and Republican
maJorities in senate and house organ
lied both bodies.
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 Iowa, the re-
publican candidate, was chosen presi-
dent pro tempore Of the senate over
Senator Pittman, of Nevada, Demo-
crat, AZ to AZ. Several democrats
were absent but all republicans were
in their seats, two Withholding their
votes faEMM
The republicans Of both bodies 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.
! hot n adiournipo ,,ntiI noo,, +o,>,o,,a,,.
when President Wilson'S cablcd mes
sage will be read separately in the
senate and house by clerks. The SEN
ate today concluded its session in
fifty minutes and the house in two
hours and twenty minutes.
Although kecnly realized by all
members, there was no outward evil
dencc in the initial proceedings of the
enormous amount OF work ahead.
The peace treaty with Germany in
Guiding the league Of nations coven-
ant, the Austrian treaty, and the pro
posed convention for protection OF
France, are not expected before next
month. All hold promise to dramatic
debate.
Appropriation bills which failed in
the flibustcr last March will be rush
cd Immediately in the house. Chair
man Hood Of the house appropriations
committee tonight called meeting
for tomorrow to begin work on the
general deficiency measure.
Legislation dealing with railroads.
tclcgraphs and telephones, women suf-
fragc, prohibition, repeal Of the luxury
taxes and other pressing subjects are
promised in the van Of important eco
This legislation is expected by the
leaders to hold congress in session al
most continuously until the presiden-
tial conventions Of 1920. Investigation
erous administration acts also are ex-
pcctcd to begin in the near future with
inauguration probable in the house
in connection with the appropriation
h!lls.
The flood OF bills which is expected
10 make the new congress mOmentous
began in the house today and the SEN
ate's initial measures will be present
ed tomorrow. House resolution num-
Dor one was the women suffrage con-
sttutional amendment measure, in
troduccd by former Republican Lead
er Mann of popular interest,
When house members were sworn
in Representative Victor Berger, OF
Wisconsin, the lone socialist member
who was convicted Of violating the
espionage law, was prevented from
taking the oath upon rejection Of
Rep. Dallinger, OF Massachusetts,
chairman OF the elections committee.
He was ordered by Speaker Gillett to
stand aside and was not allowed to
address the house, which adopted
unanimously resolution authorizing
a committee to investigate his right
to membership.
| No objection was raised from the
senate floor to the seating OF Senator
| Truman Fl. Ncwberry, OF Michigan,
| republican, whose election Is being
contested by Henry Ford, democrat.
| Formal notice or renewal Of the Ford
|