Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1933-03-09
CONGRESS SPEEDS
IT'S ORGANIZATION
Mrs. Roosevelt Among
TMongs CroWding Galleries
for Opening.

The seventy-third Congress convened
in extraordinary session at noon today
and Immediately proceeded with the
formalities Of organization, which in
cluded the elevation Of Representative
Henry T. Rainey Of Illinois to the
speakership of the House and the selsc-
ton Of Senator Key Pittman of Nevada
Is president pro tempore of the Senate
The galleries in both the Senate and
the House were filled to overlooking.
Mrs. Roosevelt was among the distin-
guished visitors during the opening cere-
monies in the House. occupying . seat
In the executive gallery and knitting al
most continuously during her stay
there.
First Lady Applsuded-
When Mrs Roosevelts presence was
called to the attention of the House. the
entire membership arose and applauded
SO did the spectators in the galleries
The First Lady acknowledged the rec
ignition with . slight bow Of her head
and a smile.
The First Lady was accompanied by
her son James, Mrs. Henry Morgen-
THAI, jr; Miss Melvina Thompson, her
secretary, and Mrs Nancy Cook.
As soon as Vice Presuit Mt Garner con-
vened the Senate. the chaplain. Rev.
prayer Then after the organization
procedure, President Roosevelt's procla-
nation. calling the special session. was
read. The Senate then adjourned until
l 80 pm. pending completion Of the
emergency banking bill.
Other Omces Filled.
In addition to Pitman, the other
Senate ofnces filled were:
Secretary Of the Senate, Col. Edwin
A. Halsey; sergeant at arts, Chesley w.
Jurney; secretary to the majority on
the floor. Leslie Bifle. and secretary to
the minority on the floor. Carl A.
Loef1er.
The selection Of Democratic chair
men and the appointment of Senators
to various standing committees were
approved as previously announced by
party leaders.
While routine organization steps were
being taken. there was drone of con-
verSation with occasional laughter in
the galleries. Senator Lewis OF Illinois,
new Democratic whip, made . point Of
order and suggested that the galleries
be requested not to permit their voices
to drown out the proceedings on the
floor.
Vice President Garner said the point
Of order was well taken and told those
In the galleries they are welcome to
/ NlHA A,.S ~
rules Of the Senate against demonstra-
tons.
Following the routine steps Of organ
izing, the Presidents message was read
Rainey Gets 30z Votes.
When the speakership nominations
had been made In the House, Rainey
received 302 votes, as against ITO for
Representative Smell, Republican, Of
New York, the minority leader. All the
Farmer Labor votes were cast for Rep
resentative Kvale of Minnesota.
Announcement Of the vote on the
prOtracted ovation. The entire men,
bership Of the House rose and applauded
Rainey Emphasizes Crisis.
In the House, Rainey. in assuming
the speakership, said that today We
are engaged in another war-more seri-
GUS in its character and presenting
greater dangers to the Republic" than
the World War
The white-haired veteran Of many
congressional battles said the country
was undergoing q rebirth and would
emerge happier and more prosperous
in the new era which now dawns"
We are going to call on the entire
membership Of the House to support
the relief measures which will again
be suggested by a Democratic admins
tration." he said. appealing to the Re-
publicans to cooperate.
Backed by People.
I'm the serious business which Is
ahead Of us, We are already assured that
back Of us are the people of the entire
United States. exhibiting q patience and
fortitude in the midst Of their difficul-
ties unparalleled in the history of this
or any other nation" Rainey said
This country is only undergoing now
. rebirth: the suffering we; are endur-
ing now is. We confidently hope, merely
birth pains
From the troubles of the present We
will emerge greater and happier and
more prosperous Nation. We must pro-
coed now with the readjustments nee
essary In order to enable us to func-
ton in the new era which now dawns
on US and all the world.
Ladies and gentlemen Of the Sew
enty-third Congress. I appreciate to the
fullest degree, I assure you, the great
honor which has been conferred on me"
Committees Delayed.
+ In the House, organization through
the appointment of the i've committees
necessary to handle the emergency leg
lslation had been temporarily delayed.
Neither the Democratic members of the
Ways and Means Committee nor the
Republican Committee on Committees
reached . decision and were ready to
announce their respective assignments
to the five committees-appropria
banking and currency, accounts, rules.
These four. with the Ways and Means
Committee, make up the five commit
tees first to be appointed, with the
prospect that agriculture will be next
selected.
Not Notified Of Members.
The trouble in the Republican Com
mittee on Committees rose over the
fact it had not been oficially notified
how many members 1t was to be allowed
| on the various committees as . result
| OF the big increase in the Democratic
majority which forces . change In the
relative proportion Of party assignment
to the committees. The Republicans.
however. can promptly announce their
assignment as soon as this question Of
how many they are to be allowed on
each committee has been ofncially
settled.
The Democratic membership Of the
Ways and Means Committee. which acts
as the Democratic Committee on Com
mittees. Is to meet again in the ONCE
OF the chairman Of the committee ada
cent to the House Chamber - soon Is
the proceedings on the floor have been
completed.