New-York tribune., 1919-12-02
New Congress
Opens; Treaty
Sidetracked
Continued from page I

one of the "irreconcilables" anxious to
Keep the treaty dead. made a canvass
Of the mild reservationists to-day. He
said that the Republican Senators who
tavor ratification would not agree to
any modification OF the Lodge reserva-
tions.
The mild rescrvationists believe
that the Lodge reservations in them
selves are a COMPROMISED said Senator
Moses They have sounded out senti-
ment IN their home states and feel as
sured of the support OF their con-
stituents.'
Senator Capper who voted for ratiti-
cation with the Lodge reservations, re-
turned from Kansas to-day with the
statement that he made it his business
during the recess to talk with as many
people as he could regarding the treaty.
Out OF more than 500 persons, he said,
only two approved the Presidents
course in ordering the treaty rejected
with the Lodge reservations.
When Congress met only bare ma
Jority of the members were present. and
for time the officers of the Senate
and House feared that the necessary
quorum would not be attained In the
Senate tifty-four members. five more
than a quorum. finally answered the
roll call and IN the House NOT quite
300 OF the 435 members appeared. The
Two houses then adjourned until to-
morrow. when President Wilson's mes
sage Will be read
No Call on President
The custom Of sending a committee
OF the two houses to the White House
to inform the President that Congress
was convened ana ready to receive his
message was abandoned because of the
Illness Of the Executive
A formal notification Of convening
was drafted by Senator Lodge. majority
leader, and Senator Hitchcock, minority
leader III the Senate, and Majority
Leader Mondell and Minority Leader r
Clark. of the House. This was taken
20 the White House BY the clerk Of
the House and the secretary OF the
Senate
When they reached the White House
they were received by Secretary Tu-
multy in his Office, adjoining the Cab
met room, which the President has not
used since he became i'll. The couriers
from Congress were surprised when
Mr.. Tumulty stepped INTO the unoc-
cupied Office OF the President for a
moment and returned 10 announce that
the President had received the notifca-
non ana would transmit his message
to Congress tomorrow.
After arranging for the notification
OF the President Senator Lodge in the
Senate and Representative Mondcll in
the House moved for adjournment un-
I'll tomorrow.
Opposes Adjournment
Senator Thomas. Democrat. OF Colo
rado, demanded that the Senate remain
in session and take up domestic legis-
latlon Immediately.
"Congress should begin consideration
Of the important problems confronting
II to-day and not wait until to-mor.
row. he said, why should there be
any delay: Why cannot we take I'D
the railroad bill to-day ."
Senator Cummins replied that he wa IS
anxious to have the railroad bill taken
up to-day, but Senator Lodge insisted
upon adjournment on the ground that
not to do so would be discourteous to
the Preslden Adjournment immedi-
ately after the President has been no.
titled that Congress has convened has
heretofore been the almost unbroken
precedent, but thirteen Senator's voted
TO 90 ahead with business
While the Senate is considering the
railroad bill the House will mark time
while the important committees begin
consideration Of the budget.