Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1920-12-07


had charge of these resolutions in the
Senate. and Rep. Mondell OF wyo..
still on clutches from a recent acct
dent. acted similarly in the House.
Other formalities on today's program
were the swearing in Of Senators Car
ter Glass. of Virginia, elected to fill
the unexpired term of the late Sena-
tor Martin. and Senator u. Thomas
Helm. of Alabama. successor to the
late Senator Bankhead. Several new
House members elected to fill vacan-
cies also were to be sworn in.
These were the only immediate
changes resulting from the November
election, none of the new Senators or
Representatives taking their seats un-
til after March 4. The session begin
ming today, however. was the last for
many members. including prominent
veterans. who retire with sine die ad-
journment next March.
Both Senate and House expect to
plunge Immediately into work tomor-
row, organization under republican
control having been affected last spring
at the first regular session of the
present Congress. Committees were
organized. except for a few vacancies
and enlargement of the House appro-
priations committee from q to S
members under the new House rule
centralizing all appropriation bills in
the committee.
The Senate's unfinished business,
pending and awaiting debate, with pro-
tracted discussion in prospect, included
the Kenyon-Kendrick bills to regulate
the meat packers and other adjuncts
of the livestock industry. The bill was
expected to be the vehicle for numer-
Gus speeches and other debate by SEN
ators on political events, domestic and
foreign, and many other subjects. The,
house also had many bills waiting on
its calendar.
Although all pending bills die when
Congress adjourns in March. little<
general legislation was planned for the
present session by leaders. The appro-
priation bills. originating in the house.
were to be given right of way. in the
hope of passing all by March and hav-
ing the decks clear for other legisla
ton in the proposed special session of
the new Congress next April. Many
new bills and resolutions were ready
for introduction, however.
With general expectation that wish
es of President-elect Harding and
other republican leaders would prevail
regarding legislative action during the
present session, no immediate move
regarding American International rela-
tions was contemplated by the repub-
lican leaders. There was much specu-
lation today among returning men,
bers of Congress whether President
Wilson would return the Treaty of
Versailles to the Senate.
Treaties before the Senate foreign
relations committee. without prospect
of early action, were the Polish treaty,
the proposed Anglo-American-Fre
pact for protection of France and the
treaty with Columbia. The Austrian
treaty has not yet been submitted by
President Wilson.
Revenue and taxation questions are
TO have early consideration of Senate
and House leaders and committees. but
general sentiment appeared to be for
deferring action until after President
Harding's Inauguration. Preliminary
work on bills to revise tariff and
internal revenue probably will be
started during the present session.
however. TO expedite action at the new
session.
Bills to aid agriculturists. limit i'm
migration and make congressional re-
apportionment are among those to be
taken up early this session. The House
census committee already has begun
work on a tentative re-apportionment
bill and the House immigration COM
mittee on a measure to restrict immi-
grafton.
Continuance of several old and the
launching of several new COMPRESSION
al Investigations also are planned.
The Senate committee investigating
housing conditions and the House Body
inquiring into shipping board affairs
are TO be continued, according to
present plans. The Senate committee.
headed by Senator Kenyon of Iowa.
which has been investigating politi-
cal campaign contributions and activi-
ties. is expected to file its report soon.
The Senate privileges and elections
AhtO tiiS
ry-Ford Senatorial election contest. in
Michigan also is pending. but is not
expected to have concluded until after
disposition. 'of Senator Newberry's APP
peal to the Supreme Court from his
conviction of violating the election
laws.
Hundreds of nominations. including
many recess appointments. are to be
sent to the Senate soon by President
Wilson, burt republican leaders declare
privately that there is little chance Of
confirmation of many of the appoint
ments. officers nominated will hold
over and function, but with the vir-
tuaily certain prospect having success
sors appointed by the new republican
President and confirmed by the next
Senate.
The session which began today was
the third of the sixty-sixth Congress.
The first. the special session conven-
ed May 10 and adjourned Nov. 10. 1919.
and the second. converting Dec. l ad-
journed last June 5 before the national
political conventions.