Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1920-01-06
CONGRESS CONVE:NE:S
FACED BY ENORMOUS
LEGISLATIVE TASKS
Domestic Problems, Grave
and Complex, Must Be
Solved at Present Session.
as Well as Foreign Affairs

WASHINGTON, Jan. 5.-Congress
met promptly at noon today after d
two weeks recess over the holidays
with the treaty of Versailles still
the foremost of the great array of
subjects with which the national
law makers were expected to deal be-
fore adjournment, probably just be-
fore the presidential election next
November.
Private conferences initiated dur
ing the holidays looking to some sort
OF compromise in the treaty fight
were continued and renewal of debate
on the senate floor was expected at
any time. No concrete plan under
which the senate would resume fov-
NAL consideration of the subject had
been agreed upon, however.
In the senate today the sedition
bill Of Senator Sterling, Republican,
of South Dakota, had the right OF
way.
1t had been expected the house
would be called upon to again pass
on the question of seating Victor
Berger, Socialist, of Wisconsin, WIZ
was reelected after the house had
declared his seat vacant, but BergeC
was not present when the house.
met.
Representative Mann, RepublicaM
OF Illinois, former Republican leade:
Of the house, announced he would op
pose any action to withhold Berger
seat.
II am opposed to any summary ac-
ton which would deny Berger his
seat" he said.
Chairman Dallinger, of Massa-
chusetts, of the elections committee,
which recommended Berger's election
as member of the special session.
was ready today with a resolution
which would deny Berger his seat on
the ground he has been guilty OF
giving aid and comfort to the en-
envy" The resolution was drawn to-
day after a meeting of the steering
committee but will be withheld un-
til Berger presents his credentials.
Returning to work after two weeks
holiday, congress faced one Of the
busiest sessions in history and a
staggering array Of problems await
ing soluti y. In addition to in
Vulnerable domestic matters, some
Of which will have a far-reaching
effect on the Industrial life of the
country, there are international
questions of far-reaching import
that must be settled, including the
treaty of peace with Germany and
Austria.
Adjournment was not expected be-
fore fall and the only break in tn =
long session that members can LOOK
forward to is the brief re cess thai
will be taken coincident with the
holding of the national party con
ventions during the summer. But
despite the mass of work ahead
there were indications apIenty that
ample time would be found for
partisan politics and no angle of the
coming presidential election would
re overlooked. Political speeches in
record breaking numbers were look
ed for.
Besides the treaties with Ger.
ntany and with Austria, interna-
tional problems 20 be considered at
the resumed session include the pro-
posed alliance with France, the
Panama canal settlement with Co
lombia, treaties with Poland ana
POSSIBLY Turkey, and numerous
measures dealing with the war
changed conditions of American
commercial and financial relations
abroad.
Important domestic legislation
awaiting action includes the rail
road reorganization bill and the oil,
coal, gas and phosphate land leas-
ing bill, both Of which now are in
conference; army reorganization,
shipping legislation, control Of I'M
desirable aliens and on scores OF
Their subjects. Many Investigations
also have been arranged for by both
the senate and house. Among them
will be inquiries into war expendi-
lures, the Mexican situation, Boil
shevist activities, coal situation, fed
eraI trade commission and the Ford
o1ontiOp