Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1943-01-06
18th Congress
Opens, Finishes
Royburn Elected
Speaker Over Martin
By Handful of Votes
BY GOULD LINCOLN.

The Seventy eighth Congress,
confronted by war and home
front problems, formally organ
lied today, notifying President
Roosevelt it was ready to receive
any recommendations he cares
to make.
The President will appear before
joint session of Congress in the
House chamber tomorrow and de-
liver his message on the state Of
the Union. And on Monday he will
send his budget message to Con-
greSs
In the House, Speaker Rayburn
was reelected, defeating his Re-
publican opponent. Minority Leader
Martin. by only handful of votes,
an indication of the new Republican
strength in that chamber.
The Senate a continuing BODY.
was presided over by Vice President
Wallace. Senators elected in No
Vember took the oath of office. with
the exception of Gov. George A.
Wilson of Iowa, who is serving out
the last few days of his term as
Governor, and several Senators abb
sent on account OF sickness or
public service.
New COP Senators Seated.
The House and Senate galleries
were crowded with relatives and
friends of the members.
In the Senate two new Democrats
were sworn in, Senators Eastland of
Mississippi and Mcclellan of Arkan-
sas. On the Republican side of the
aisle, however, considerable new
crop of Senators blossomed. They
were Senators Buck of Delaware,
BuShfield of South Dakota Ferguson
of Michigan. Hawkes. of New Jersey,
Moore of Oklahoma, Revercomb OF
West Virginia, Robertson of Wyo-
ming and Wherry of Nebraska. Ali
of them took seats occupied by DEM
ocratS in the last Congress. except
Senator Wherry, who succeeded
former Senator Norris. Independent.
South Trimble, veteran clerk of
the House, who was reelected today.
called that chamber to order at
noon.
Martin Is Cheered.
When it came time to place candi-
dates for the speakership in nomi-
nation, Representative Sheppard of
| California nominated MI. Rayburn,
and Representative Woodruff of
Michigan nominated Mr.. Martin.
The Democrats applauded with
handclapping the name of Speaker
Rayburn. The Republicans, on the
other hand, gave long cheer when
Mr.. Martins name was proposed.
1t was symbolic of the resurgence
of Republican strength and hope
after the last elections. Mr.. Shep-
pard is the chairman of the Demo-
cratic caucus of the House and Mr..
Woodruff is chairman of the Re-
publican caucus.
Speaker Rayburn received DIT
votes and Mr.. Martin 206. Repre-
sentativeS Sauthoff and Hull, both
Progressives of Wisconsin. voted for
each other. There were 426 ballots
cast, with Mr.. Martin voting
present
Following the election of Speaker
Rayburn, he was presented to the
House by Mr.. Martin. The Speaker
thanked the House for the honor
done him and pledged his best
services. Representative SABBATH,
Democrat, of Illinois, dean of the
House in point of service, admins
tered the oath of Office.
Rayburn's Birthday.
Today was Mr.. Rayburns birth
day. Two years ago he was elected
on the eve of his birthday.
The swearing in of the House
members was then completed.
Both houses adopted resolutions
for the appointment of committees
to inform the President that Con-
gress was in session and ready to re-
ceive any communications he de-
sired to make. Majority Leader
Barley and Minority Leader Nc
Nary composed the Senate commit
tee and Majority Leader McCor-
mack, Mr.. Martin and Chairman
Doughton of the Ways and Means
Committee, that of the House.
Resolutions were adopted also
providing for joint session of the
two houses tomorrow to hear the
President deliver his address, and
fixing the hour of meeting daily at
noon.
80 Senators Answer Roll.
Eighty-nine Senators answered the
call for quorum out of a total of
SO.
The Senate adjourned at 1928
until tomorrow noon.
In the House, membership con-
sisted of 208 Republicans, 222 Demo-
Gratis, two Progressives, one Farm
Labor and one American Labor rep
resentative. There is one vacancy.
When the Seventy-seventh Con-
gress convened two years ago there
were only l66 Republican House
members.
Introduction of bills and resolu-
tions started simultaneously with
the fall of the gavels, with Senator