The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1921-03-07
CONGRESS CLOSES
SESSION OF STORM
Little FURRY As End Comes Shortly
After Noon-Many Bills Go
Down With Nominations

aShlngton, March Al ne SlXty-
sixth congress passed peacefully in
to history today with little of the
furry usually attendant to the hurly
burly of an inauguration. Final
gavels fell in the house at II: so o.
clock and in the senate about 1890
the latter's clock having been moved
backward and the formers forward,
both to meet exigencies of the inau-
gural program. Immediately the new
senate was called to order by Vice
President Coolidge for the session
requested by President Harding.
The final sessions were virtually
devoid of legislation. The principal
bills which failed were the army and
navy appropriation budgets and the
immigration exclusion bill. The ar
my and immigration measures met a
"pocket veto" by President Wilson,
who failed to sign them, and the ma
val bill failed to get through the sem
ate.
President Wilson, in conformance
with custom, waited upon congress
in it's final hour in his room off the
senate chamber, signing a few last
minute measures. Among these weYe
the sundry civil appropriation bill
and the Langley bill appropriating
$18,600,000 for disqualification of
former service men.
Republican leaders plan to draft
substitutes for the army and navy
bills as soon as the extra session is
convened by President Harding,
probably early in April, and rush
them through. The immigration re-
striction measure also will be one Of
the first measure considered at the
extra session.
In addition to the army and immi-
grafton bills President Wilson pock-
eted the Mason bill amending the
war risk insurance act and a private
claim bill.
Little Speech Making
Little speech making marked to-
days final proceedings and it was a
tame finale in comparison with past
congresses. Wearied by many recent
night sessions, the customary turbu-
lence of adjournment was absent in
both senate and house. But there
were many touching incidents. As
an Offset was the welcome given
newly elected members.
Swearing in 32 new senator's was
the first business of the new senate
which is expected to continue its
sessions through next week and then
adjourn until the next session of
the SiSty-seventh congress is called
Ony one senator-elect, Peter Nor
beck of South Dakota, failed to re-
spond to his name today.
After the ceremonies attendant on
the Inauguration of President Har-
ding, The new senate again assem-
bled, received personally from the
new chief executive his cabinet ap-
pointments and confirmed their
nominations. The greatly increased
Republican majority in the new sem
ate compelled arrangements of
seating. A dozen Republicans were
assignd 10 seats across the aisles in
the Democratic ection, thereby re-
establishing the "old Cherokee
strip"
Meeting early this morning in
their final sessions, both senate and
house marked time for the inaugural
ceremonies about noon. Last speech
es' of retiring members and tributes
to them and to senate and house Off
GERS mingled with routine business.
In the senate the navy bill, long
since given up as lost, remained as
unfinished business to the last. In
the house adjournment came after
two hours of speech making on the
record of the boys achievements,
with Republicans and Democrats in
dicDuta