Wauwatosa news. [volume] (Wauwatosa, Wis.) 1900-1948, 1919-05-23
Republicans Are in Full Control
Seven Big Appropriation Bills
to Be Passed.
GILLETT IS EiECTED SPEAKER
League Of Nations. Railroads, Ship.
ping, Woman Suffrage Taken Up
Berger Refused Recognition
by the Speaker.


Washington. May 21.-The "recon-
struction" congress, assembling in ex
traordlnary session M0aday. under
the call by President Wilson from
Paris May Z, marks the return to
power Of the Republicans and loss by
the Democrats of control over the ma
tional legislature.
Representative Gillett of .Massachu-
setts (Rcp) was elected speaker of
the house over Champ Clark (Dem).
BY a maioJty Of Two votes the Re
puhlicaus took control of the senate,
electing Senator CummIns president
pro tempore and defeating Senator
X. Pittman OF Nevada, Democrat. by
a record vote of ~ TO A.
The woman suffrage constitutional
amendment cot top place on the house
calendar BY general agreement Rep
resentatlve Munn's Joint resolution,
similar TO the measure passed last
session by the house and defeated in
the senate. was designated No. /.
a resolution to repeal the luxury
tax as of the war revenue, egreed
upon by leaders of both parties at the
last session was introduced by Rep
rasentative Moore Of Pennsylvania as
a part of the Republican party's leg
islative program.
The business of swearing In new
senators was disposed Of quickly. In
the house there were a greater num-
Der Of new members and Il took
longer, All the Republican senator's
were present; four Democrats were
absent
The immediate work Is passage be-
fore July ! of seven regular annual
appropriation bills which failed Ia
the sennte filibuster last March.
After that will come consideration
of the peace treaty and of the league
OF nations, and railroad shipping, rev.
enue, woman suffrage. prohibition,
army and navy and many otner meas
ures. Many Investigations. particu-
larly into war activities, are expected.
The Republicans, for the first time
since 1911, had majoritles in both
branches of congress as result of
the congressional elections last No
vember.
In the house they have a margin of
40 votes. In the senate their majority
is only two.
Republican action is restrained by
President Wilson's veto power. Co
operation between administration offi-
ciais and the Republicans is expected
on uncontested measures.
The avalanche OF bills and resolu-
tions incident TO new session began
In the house, but Introduction Of sen
ate measures went over.
Final action by the senate oi the
peace treaty and the covenant of the
league of nations before July / is not
generally expected although much dis
cussion meanwhile Is planned, Be-
sides the treaty itself, the proposed
agreement with Great Britain and
France for protection Of France from
attack by Germany promises much dis
cusslOn.
Prohibition enforcement legislation
Is expected TO receive early attention.
Repeal of the war prohibition meas-
ures as we'll as the constitutional
amendment Is to be urged.
Victor Berger of Wisconsin, whose
right to a seat Is contested because he
Is under conviction for violation of the
espionage law, did not attempt to vote.
When the name Of Berger was called
as new members were sworn, Repre-
sentative Dallinger Of Massachusetts,
chairman Of the elections committee,
formally challenged his right to be
seated.
Speaker Glllett directed Berger to
stand aside when he appeared for the
oath, and refused to recognize him
when he tried to speak as a matter Of
personal privilege.