Wausau pilot. [volume] (Wausau, Wis.) 1896-1940, 1921-04-14
9th CONGRESS
is IN SESSION
Body Called Into Special Meet
ing to Combat After
War Problems.
BOTH HOUSES REORGANIzED
Republicans Have Majority of 22 in
the Senate and 1853 In the
House-Two- Thirds Rule
Is to Govern.


Washington, April 1.-THE Sixty
seventh congress, called into special
session by President Harding for leg
isative combat with the after-war
domestic and international problems
that burden the nation has convened.
With record-breaking majorities in
both houses, the Republicans spent
the day organizing in preparation for
foday's joint session before which the
president will deliver his message en-
bodying the administration program
for graphing with the prize collection
of crises.
Boosting a majority Of % in the
senate and 16S in the house, the Re
publicans were able to make the re-
organizations mere formalitles. One
faint gasp from the 1872 Democrats
in the lower house In an effort to get
Ia change of rules that would give the
minority some standing served only
TO emphasize the Republican control.
Two.Thlrds Rule to Govern.
I'VE simply want to establish the
fact of whether or not the majority
considers it sound public policy to
vest itself with the power to enact
all legislation under suspension Of
the rules If it so desire" said Rep
resentative POu Of North Carolina,
1--WE submit that under the conditions
a three-fourths vote should be re-
CURED to suspend the rules"
THE country at large seemed to
be willing to take this chance when
IL determined the membership of the
house In last falls election" rejolned
Representative Campbell of Kansas
and the two-thrds rule was approved.
One other attempt by the Demo-
Gratis to assert themselves came In
connection with the seating of Repre-
sentative Richard H. Bird of Kansas
who for some reason had filed n sworn
statement of campaign expenses
amounting to $4,000 That amount
" more than $1,000 above the limit
fixed In the corrupt practices act.
Representative Flood of Virginia
acting for the minority presented
resolution providing for an investiga-
ton to determine the KanSan's right
10 question the credentials of rep
preventative and Bird was seated pend
ing decision on his supposed viola
ton of the law.
There is precedent for the pro-
posed action" protested Representa-.
tive Flood. I'VE have this mans own
sworn statement to the effect that he
Is violator of the law. I under
stand that the claim il made that he
entered expenses that he was not
called upon to list bur those amount
to no more than $1,000, and still he
is thousands over the legal limit"
The organizing OF the two houses
provided some "Show" for the crowds
that surged into the galleries for the
opening of the history-making special
session. In the house Speaker Gillett,
re-cstahlished In that post by vote
Of 29S To 122 and given the oath of
office by that distinguished former
speaker, Uncle Joe Cannon Of Illinois,
delivered q speech.
evitably he a long and important SEES
sion of congress-" he said.
House Flooded With Bills.
While the members were flooding
the house clerks with bills and reso-
buttons by the thousand as the basis
for future legislation, the details for
todny's session were being arranged
Speaker Gillett designated Represent.
atives Mondell of Wyoming and Ford.
ney Of Michigan, Republicans, and
Kitchin of North Carolina, Democrat,
for the joint committee 10 inform the
President that congress was ready 10
receive any communications he de.
sired Ia submit.
"rhe President has informed us that
he has communication 10 be de-
hvered in person 10 congress and that
he will come here at one O'clock" was
the report from the committee, So adj
Journment was taken until noon when
the congress will meet In joint SEES.
sion.
Perfunctory ceremonies marked the
opening session In the senate. When
the senators assembled at noon the
senate chaplain delivered the lnvoca.
tion after which the clerk read the
Presidents proclamation converting
the special session. The roll call fol.
lowed, rs members answering pres.
ent."