The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1920-12-06
CONGRESS OPENS


Continued from Page One.)
President Wilson that congress was in
session and ready to receive COM
munications from him. 1t was the
first meeting between the president
and Senator Lodge since before the
peace treaty was defeated in the sem
ate under Senator Lodges leadership.
The president received the senators
and representatives in the Blue room.
1t was the first committee of notifica-
ton from the Sixty-fifth congress to
call upon him and was the first con-
gressional committee with one excep
ton to be received by Mr.. Wilson since
he was taken i'll more than a year ago.
While the session opening today
probably will only mark time for the
new order of things coming in with the
new administration March 4, certain
features of it are unique in the history
of American congresses.
The senate has for the first time
a president-elect on its rolls in Sem
ator Warren G. Harding of Ohio He
is in Washington and may speak from
the senate floor.
End of Many Careers.
For many members of both house
and senate, the new session marked
the beginning of the end of political
careers. Man. figures prominent in
Washington life were defeated in the
last election and will become private
citizens after March 4.
Faced by heavier demands for legis-
lation than any congress since the one
that declared war on Germany, lead
ers of both branches have openly
adopted a program that calls for the
transaction of only the most routine
business until the calling of the pro-
posed special session.
Republican Leader MondelI came to
the capitol on crutches, his leg having
been broken in an accident. Repre-
sentative Claud Kitchin. scheduled to
be the leader of the Democrats on re-
tirement of Champ Clark, made his
first appearance since he suffered a
paralytic stroke on the floor last ses-
sion.
Uncle Joe" Cannon was an injured
member. He broke his arm during
the campaign.
The only real legislative work sched-
uled for today was hearing by house
and senate agriculture committees sit
ting jointly of farmers who are de-
handing action to meet the conditions
caused by falling prices of their prod
ucts. This demand, while the most in
sistent, Isl only one of dozen facing
congressman.
Message Not Paramount
When congress assembled, interest
conferred in President Wilson's final
message, which probably will be read
tomorrow. Both houses. but particu-
whether Wilson, defeated at the sol
emn referendum on the League Of
Nations covenant at last months cleo
ton, would indicate his intentions
with regard to the treaty.
1t will make slight difference what
President Wilson suggests, however, as
Republican plans for handling the
treaty are already mapped out. The
extra session next March or April is
to handle that. unless the unexpected
should happen, and Wilson should
send the treaty back now, with an ac-
ceptance of senate reservations.
Much Work Ahead.
Here is some of the work which
this session will be called on to dis
pose of:
Fourteen appropriation bills.
Reapportionment of representation in the
house of representatives, based on the
A national budget bill. OF
A bill to amend the Volstead prohibition
enforcement law to make prohibition less
stringent. -.t. !
A bill to make the volstead law more
stringent and to give the prohibition com
wider powers. -
"A demand for a sweeping investigation
of prohibition enforcement.
Some measure of tax revision. attic the
main program of tax and tariff revision
Is to be undertaken at the next session.
according to present plans of Republican
leaders.
A soldier bonus bill.
Measures to lower the cost of living
Proposed amendments of the railroad
law.
A treaty with Japan covering land
ownership Of japanese in California and
other states.
A treaty with Colombia, settling the
old controversy over the Panama canal
and establishing American oil interests in
Colombia.
Measures to improve housing conditions.
Proposals to curb the power of grain
exchanges to control the price of wheat
and other grains.
A large number of welfare measures
New Probes Are Due.
In addition, some new investigations
doubtless will be undertaken. The
senate campaign fund investigating
committee is expected to make a par
tial report, and will also continue its
inquiry.
Having asked how candidates and
parties raised the money. the commit
tee now will ask how they spent it. A
final report may also be made on the
Newberry election case.