davidaulloa/AmericanStories huggingface dataset:
Imperial Valley press., 1943-04-23
Ap,p pie
Soiid !
G cd
BY TOMMY DEVINE

CHICAGO. April %. - CUP)-
Baseball Commissioner Kencsaw M.
Lands today promised to heed the
distress call major league batSmen
have directed his way in protest
against a mysteriously dead ball"
On March l3. lands, President
William Harridge of the American
League and National League repre-
sentative Warren Giles of the Gin
cinnati Reds voted to restore the
rabbit BALI to the majors. With
appropriate ceremony they drew up
the specifications designed to bring
back the home-run glories common
in Babe Ruths heyday.
However, between the manufac-
tUrer's laboratory and the baseball
assembly line" something went
wrong and big league hitters claim
they are swinging at a sphere with
no more reSilency that a pumpkin.
WIRES PROTEST
The matter was brought formal
ly to Judge Landis's attention by
Giles who wired a vigorous protest
and claimed that the ball did not
meet specifications submitted for
the standard ball. His conclusions
were based on a series of private
ly conducted tests.
The Cincinnati club official
sought TO have Lands call a special
meeting of the selection commit
tee to consider the problem, but
the commissioner hardly thought
that necessary.
If as Giles says, the ball isn't
up to specifications, then it is a
problem for the manufacturers and
the adjustment will have to be
made by them" Lands said.
They've got high stake in the
affair and I'm sure will make what
ever revisions are necessary to
give US the lively ball we specified
originally. don't know what
changes will have to be made, but
Ill attempt to get the necessary
work started at once"
Lands said he was impressed by
the tests Giles had made, but added
Il wonder if he asked Wander
Nicer and Starr II the ball was sat-
iSfactory to them?'
Johnny Wander Nicer and Ray
Starr are the two Red mound aces
who beat the world champion st. |
Louis Cardinals on successive days |
by 1-tO-0 margins.
While Giles is the only baseball
to lodge a formal protest
about the ball, there have been
mutterings against it
from all parts of the big league
'front.'. That the ball indefinitely is
dead appears to be borne out by
he record for the first two days of
he current season. All four games
played opening day were Shutouts
mi three more white washes were
added to the slate yesterday.
Imperial Valley press., 1943-04-23
TUMBLING TEAM
TO Be FORMED
AT HIGH SCHOOL

A high school tumbling team will
be organized in FL Centre by ath-
letic mentor Lou Birnbaum.
BirnDaum has several boys who
participated in individual tumbling
performances last year and will
work them into a team. First per-
Torrance by the group will be stag
ed in two weeks during a high
school assembly.
The youths will be carefully in
Structed in the art Of balance and
body control before staging their
act.
Imperial Valley press., 1943-04-23
zIVIC MAY NOT
TURN OUT AS
TRUCK FARMER
BY JACK. CUDDY

NEW YORK, April 23.-tuF)--
The news that Fritzie Zivic begins
work on a Pennsylvania farm
next week to aid the war effort,
leaves us fiabbcrgasted and faint.
We don't know whether a sports
columniSt or a fifth columnist in
spired this pastoral perambulation
by the Pittsburgh pugilist, but we
can assure Agriculture Secretary
Claude r. Wickard that the farm
never again will be the same.
This venture among the vege-
tables may prove particularly dis
aStrous to the potato crop, for eX-
ample. Henry Armstrong and 9TH
er opponents have charged that
pug-nosed Fritzie is all thumbs"
in the ring. We never believed
this. But if the report is true,
imagine what will happen to the
eyes of the seed Spuds.
SHIFT TO COUNTRY
Like carrying Goals to NeWcaS-
tie, this trek to the truck farm
seems a bit futile because Zivic
merely will be shifting his cauli-
flowers to the country. Moreover,
gregarious Fritzis-Who sprouted
from Pittsburgh's streets, was nur-
tured on smoke from the steel mills,
and thrived on crOwds-will be as
much at home on a hacienda as a
Newport lobSterman in a quartz
mine. He is the only prominent
pugilist we never have seen in
training camp. Our contracts with
the youngest of the fighting Zivics
always have been in smoky down
town gymnasiums or in hotel
rooms we'll populated with the fight
mob.
AS far as we know, Zivics only
conception of furroW is a cash
that one cuts in some pug'S brow or
Imperial Valley press., 1943-04-23
PADRES NAB LEAD
IN COAST LEAGUE
BY new VICTORY
BY UNITED PRESS

The San Diego Padres took over
undisputed possession of first place
in the Pacific Coast league today
after winning their fourth straight
game over the Seattle RainierS, So.
San Franciscos perfect record
was spoiled yesterday when the
Hollywood Stars shook off their
lethargy and finally scored their
first victory of the 1943 season.
blasting out a 10-7 win in a wild
hitting battle.
But the days best game came
from the Oakland Angeles fra
cas-, when the Acorns took a 10
shutout victory.
Portland held to third place in
league standings with a 6-3 triumph
over Sacramento. The Beavers rap
ped out 16 hits off two Solon pitch
ers in winning their third game of
the series.
Imperial Valley press., 1943-04-23

a 4-3 decision Phil Cavarretta S
long fly to right prodded Bill
Nicholson home with the winning
tally in the seventh.
West Coast rockies jess Flores
doled out only two hitS-one two
Dagger by Petey Fox 49, accounting
for the only run in the Boston Red
Sox's 10 triumph over the Phila-
delphia Athletics. Fox advanced
on a sacrifice and scored on an in
field out.
Only $3.50 paid admisSions-Small-
est opening day crowd in the 81
year history of Yankee stadium
watched the Yankees rally for two
runs in the ninth to exc out a Sd
win over the Washington Senators.
Roy Weatherly, Yankee outfielder,
belted a two-run double to decide
the game.
BLANKS CLEVELAND
Detroit blankcd Cleveland, 40,
chiefly because of Doc Cramer's
five singles in five trips Virgil
Grucks scattered four Cleveland
hits while Mel Harder, opening his
sixteenth straight season with the
Tribe, allowed nine of Detroits IL
hits.
Philadelphia at Boston in the
National and Chicago at ST. Louis
in the American were postponed.
Yesterdays star - Veteran Ray
Starr, who fashioned Cincinnatis
second shutout over st. Louis by
the Cardinals to five hits
in 10 innings for a 10 triumph.
Imperial Valley press., 1943-04-23
Still
Have
Speed
BY PAUL SHEFFELS

NEW YORK, April 23.-(UP)-
Judging from the performance of
the st. Louis Cardinals in their
first two games, they will have a
difficult time making a successful
defense of the National League
title this year.
The Cardinals are still blessed
with an abundance of speed on the
base paths. But they don't get
enough men on the bags to put
their ability to work.
st. Louis bowed to the Reds, 10,
in 10 innings yesterday to bring
their two-day record to no runs in
q innings. They collected only two
Imperial Valley press., 1943-04-23
Marines Trounce
BrawIey Club 40

The Marine Flyers handed the
Brawley town softball team a 40
trouncing Thursday for their sixth
straight victory.
The tilt was close throughout
with the Marines clinging to a one
run lead until the sixth frame when
they garnered three more.
The Flyers are scheduled to clash
with the El Centre town Softball
outfit next Thursday night in the
FL Centre stadium.
Imperial Valley press., 1943-04-23
L. 4. LIVESTOCK

Los ANGELES. April = tUPl fFcdcTal-
State Market News
CATTLE: Salable 100 odd sales Gamer
and cutter cows steady al S-ln.25. other
classes scarce; compared to last Friday
steers, heiferS and common 10 good cows
closing p 10 fully 80 cents lower: can
ncrS and cutters and bulls - or more
lower goo dto choice fed steers quoted to
16-16.75 late.
CALVES: Salablc -. odd head medium
to good calves and Vcaers steady at IL
1850.
head good and choice 237 ID. steady at
IS IS bids lower on bulk.
SHEEP: Salable 425. ewes uneYenly low
CT. two loads common TO medium 10 10.
weights with No. pelts 6.25. sorted 10
per cent at 5.25.
Imperial Valley press., 1943-04-23
Ball Hit

check. If the farmer told him to
go out and pick tomatoes, Fritzie
would be in qEandary because
along tin-ear terrace a tomato"
is either a dame or nose to punch.
If the farmer said, Wen bring in
the lettuce and cabbage tomorrow"
Fritzie probably would exclaim,
"Payin' off, huh? What's my cut?"
Imperial Valley press., 1943-04-23
Tiger Manager Is
Rough on Players

DETROIT, April % Steve o.
Neill might have been too easy
going when he managed the Cleve-
land Indians, but the Detroit Tigers
aren't finding him that way.
O'Neill announced that any player
found playing poker would be fined
$500
Imperial Valley press., 1943-04-23
Marshall Is Now
Fiqht Contender

CLEVELAND, April % CUP)-
Light-heavyweight Lloyd Marshall
Cleveland boxer became top con-
tender today for bout with Jim
my Bivins, duration" titleholder,
after his l0-round unanimous de-
ciSion over Anton Christoforidis.
Imperial Valley press., 1943-04-23
WANDER MEER's FIRST TRIP

BLOOMIEGTON, Ind, April 23-
Training with the Cincinnati Reds
at Indiana University constituted
Johnny Wander Meer's first visit 10
a college campus,
Imperial Valley press., 1943-04-23

Los ANGELES. April - CUP
LARGE EGGS No. / Grade A -. M .
Grade a IL No. , Grade 81. No.
Dirties rs; No checks Is.
MEDIUM EGGS Grade A rs. Grade p
81; DrticS IS; Checks b.
SMALL EGGS Grade A 81; Grade
q. DirticS -: Cheeks =
MISCELLANEOUS EGGS, Ungradcd &c:
pecwecS 20.
CHEESE-Triplets p; Long Horn c7l4
Loaf 27i%
BUTTER-U s. % score as: % score
~; 80 score A. ~ score l6a,.
Imperial Valley press., 1943-04-23
AGCEIER sMUSSER
SEED COMPANY

es7 MArEo STREET LOS AkSslEs
crenehes in era~Iey. Son Diego,
oerdeno, Selinos, visolio, son.a Morris
Imperial Valley press., 1943-04-23
M A r K
WPLS. FLAA FUTURES
L. A. BUTTER &. EGGS

July ......--....... ----....z......--.-. sou
September ............... ...#..#..=.#. - 9S
Evening star., 1943-05-02
I|17z4; zMpe

(. one of Americas loveliest models, says: Il
suppose models are to be fess and not bsssd. So
maybe you'd rather just look af my teefh-and
let the Aanering sparkle which Dr.. Lyons has
put on them speak for itself"
Evening star., 1943-05-02

teeth hat geom odd such
Americas fudt
hImorhsmJ
oohyak
IphP
enougn n kny
hns even you've Py Am10s
hS Sd bnln"nk
h n1n"eon o" ""AN~0A"e"
Evening star., 1943-05-02
If them all. i'm the
'Land of Beautiful Women

Because teeth glenn like jewels odd such eho'm
,vroI beovy this powder is Americas tovo'e oke
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1943-07-16
Lynn Says

The Score Card: Ceiling prices
are in effect for such vegetables
as cabbage, carrots, lettuce, spin
ach, snap beans and tomatoes.
Watch for changes in point val
ues on meats and other red stamp
foods. Look, too, for the ceiling
prices on many cuts of meat.
The butcher usually posts ceiling
prices on his wall.
Your butter and cheese man
can collect your points before he
leaves your order. In this way
he won't wake you up If he comes
early, or If you're not at home
later in the day. Should he fail
to be able to fill your order, he
must give you a ration check for
points given him but not used,
and you can turn this in to your
local war price and rationing
board.
Uniform prices for poultry have
been established, and the cam
paign against the poultry black
market IS swinging into shape.
e |."
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1943-07-16
Cold Radiant Light

Probably the coolest radiant
light made by man is produced by
the reaction of certain chemicals
in an alkaline solution, says Col
lier's. While about two gallons in
glass container are bright
enough to illuminate large room
for night photograph, the liquid
has no perceptible heat emission,
and ice cubes may be foated in it
without effect.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1943-07-16

shown. The full skirt pieces were
tackled to the top of the sides and
Tapped a few inches around the
back. A top cover with a 3-inch
frill was then added. The bed
spread is trimmed with 5-inch
frills Of the muslin and 1-inch
straight bands over seams and for
the monograms.
%
NOTE-These bedside tables are from
BOOK which also contain 81 other
thrifty home making ideas. BOOK con-
tains a complete alphabet for making
monograms similar to the one illustrated.
Books are IS cents each. Send your or.
der to:
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1943-07-16
Almost Slipped

( He was relating to his wife an in
cident that had occurred at the club
the previous night. The chairman
had offered his derby hat to the
member who could stand up and
!truthfully say that during his mar
ried life he had never kissed any
woman but his wife.
Sand would you believe it, Mary,
no one stood up!"
George" said Mary, 'why didn't
you stand up?"
ssWell," he replied, ST was going
to, but ! look so awful in derby
hat.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1943-07-16

eaters and would enjoy a luscious
pie, the combination of strawberries
with rhubarb is happy choice:
strawberry Rhubarb Pie.
l cup sugar
N teaspoon salt
N teaspoon nutmeg
2 tablespoons quick-cooking tapioca
n cup orange juice
3 cups cut rhubarb
1 recipe pastry
1 cup sliced strawberries
I tablespoon butter
Combine sugar, salt, nutmeg, tap
ioca, orange juice and rhubarb;
place in 9-inch pie pan lined with
pastry. Top with strawberries and
dot with butter. Arrange whole pas
try top or lattice covering. Bake in
hot oven (450 degrees) for 10 min
utes, then in moderate oven $3.50
degrees) for 30 minutes.
On the other hand. fresh fruits
by themselves or with few cookies
may be more to your liking. Be
sure to wash them carefully, so they
do not bruise, wrap them in waxed
paper, and toss them into the red
checkered tablecloth that you're fas-,
tening together at the corners.
Are you having difficulties planning
meals Nth points? Stretching your meats?
Lynn Chambers can giUe you help il you
sCrite her, enclosing sfamped, selfad-
dressed envelope for your reply, IN care
AZ ker a WexScrr Mems pnuer Uui0n 30
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1943-07-16
Your Barbecue Supper
Beef Barbecue on Toasted Bun
Small Whole Tomatoes
Cucumber Wedges
or
Chefs Salad
sStrawberry-Rhubarb Pie
Coffee Milk Pop
'Recipe given

ties and fry slowly in hot fat until
Drowned and done, on both sides.
When nearly done invert the bottom
half Of bun over the hamburger
so that bun will be steamed and
toasted. The other half may be
toasting on a stick while one rests
on hamburger. Place other half on
hamburger when ready to eat.
Many families are fond of barbe-
cued spareribs on their jaunts out
doors. You'll like this one, particu-
larry the sauce:
Barbecued Spareribs.
(Serves ~
3 to 4 pounds ribs, cut In pieces
lemon
large onion
cup catsup
" cup Worcestershire sauce
teaspoon chill powder
teaspoon salt
dashes tabasco sauce
cups water
Place ribs in shallow roasting pan,
meaty side up. On each piece place
an unpeeled slice of lemon, a thin
slice of onion. Roast in hot oven
(450 degrees), 30 minutes. Combine
remaining ingredients, bring to a
boil and pour over ribs. Continue
baking in a moderate oven $3.50 de-
grees) for 30 minutes. Basic ribs
several times with sauce.
Let the green salad for the out
door supper be as green and spright-
ly as you can make it. A smart idea
in making the salad is to toss all
the greens together, but add the sal
ad dressing only just before eating
to allow the salad to keep its crispi-
hess:
Chefs Favorite Salad.
" head of lettuce
2 cups spinach leaves
tomatoes, cut in wedges
" cup sliced radishes
W green pepper, cut in rings
green onions
stalk celery, cut in pieces
N cup french dressing
Break lettuce into bite-sized pieces
and toss together with other vegeta-
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1943-07-16
Slight misunderstanding

Mother-=Jimmy, 60 over and see
how Old Mrs. Smith Is.
Jimmy (returuingl Nom, p Mrs.
Smith said its none Of your business
how old she is.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1943-07-16
Putting II Mildly

Rastus - Was youah brothah
shocked sober de death oh his moth
ah-in-law? A~
Sambo ~ Shocked He waren't
shocked-he was JUS naturally cleo
trocuted. 49, @
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1943-07-16
Your Bedside Tables
From Orange Crates

THESE orange crate bedside
= tables are useful and easy to
make; they are very decorative,
too, when fitted out as illustrated.
These were lined with green oil
cloth cut, fitted and pasted, as
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1943-07-16

wsal MssSS1faesa''' wake use Oh the
back yard for
your barbecue, or take to the woods
or lake, even if you have to use the
bicycle. The change from eating on
the dining room table will be a well
come change and will do wonders
toward perking up summer appe-
tites.
Make outdoor eating as convenient
as dining at home. Be sure to include
such things as salt and pepper, nap
kins, plenty of cups, plates and sill
verware in your basket to make the
family comfortable.
A spicy sauce with beef or veal
makes up delicious barbecue. The
pound and a quarter of meat IS
enough for IL buns-just in case
you're interested in stretching those
precious red points:
@Barbecued Beef on Buns.
IN pounds beef or veal
1 cup thinly sliced onions
/ Glove garlic, chopped (0ptiOnaD
tablespoon Worcestershire sauce
" cup catsup
IN teaspoons salt
N teaspoon pepper
Cut meat in 1-inch cubes and
brown in hot fat. Add cup water
and simmer III hours until tender.
Brown onions and garlic in hot fat
and add to cooked meat with remain
der of ingredients. Make on out
door stove or wrap carefully in con-
tainer with plenty Of towels to keep
warm, and take to barbecue. To
serve, spoon on to warmed buns.
Hamburgers are still a great IA
vorite for outdoor eating, particu-
larly now since n ~N
hamburger still - wv
/ has fairly low II sM
point value. This q
recipe m kes lSS#
tasty and tender, GSA
5well seasoned ~
hamburgers: ~ ~
Prize Hamburgers
makes "A hamburgers)
pounds hamburger
/. " cup chilli sauce
teaspoon Worcestershire sauce
~ tablespoons salt
( I teaspoon onion salt
" teaspoon celery salt
"a buns, toasted and buttered
Mix hamburger well with sauce
and seasonings. Form into "a pat
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1943-07-16
Come Again?

Writer-What do you think Of my
story? Give me your honest opin-
ion.
Editor-It's not worth anything.
Writer-I know. but tell me any
way.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1943-07-16
NOT A BLOCK HEAD?


eA9 Easy Work. sgsi - y
Jones' When was IS ] made up
my mind to get rich.
smith What happened, you never
became rich?.
Jones-No, decided it was lot
easier to change my mind.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1943-07-16
DlApER is soothed, cooled, re-
IN n AuG lieved by Mexsana, for
DMVu merly Mexican Heat
nAnH Powder. It's an astrin-
Bu0OUu gent medicated powder.
Origin of Two Bits,

The term 1.-TWO bits" was coined
in San Francisco in days before
minis were in existence and gold
wire was Clipped up for currency.
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1943-07-16

bleS. Just before
s e r vim 6, a d d
d e 5 s in 6 ID
serve from large
bowl. Have all in
gradients well
chilled.
If you have a
host Of hearty
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1943-07-16
HAM mo- YOU

Bill-What is pig doing when il
is eating?
Will-Making a hog of himselfl
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1943-07-16
Fun Outdoors

Your family will like eating out
doors for nothing seems so good as
beef barbecues or hamburgers
served in the open when appetites
are their sharpest, or coffee made
on make-shift stove from a couple
Of large bricks Unanswered to hold
the old granite coffee pot in place.
Food is good and wholesome, and
there's plenty Of it whether you cook
The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1943-07-16

1t at home ana
wrap it up to take
with you to the
spot of your
choice, or If you
gather twigs and
cook to order.
Make use of the
back yard for
The CIO news. (Cumberland, Md.) 1942-????, 1943-08-23
Governor
Blasts
Disunify

Phoenix, Ariz., Aug. 2l-A new
and refreshing note on the Outside
agitator" angle was furnished this
week by Arizona's Governor Osborn
In a speech before the Lions Club
here this week.
In the speech. Governor Osborn
went after the hide of a visiting
union batter Aamed Carney who
had made the standard anti-labor
speech blaming the workers for
alleged losses In war production
and saying that the war was be-
Ing won 80 per cent by industry
and so per cent by the armed
forces" leaving out any mention OF
the war workers and the farmers
on the production job.
IL don't object to political
speeches, but I do object to un-
fairness and speeches which
spread disunlty, with their real
purposes hidden under the gulse
Of patriotism" the Governor said.
Governor Osborn recently met
with CLIO, AFL and Railroad I'M
ions in the state to form a Victory
Committee which cooperates with
him on all questions Of labor re-
latlons and other issues of war
production and wartime living con-
ditions.
The CIO news. (Cumberland, Md.) 1942-????, 1943-08-23

soft water.
QUICK BRINING
1. Wash and sort according to
size.
2. Place in S per cent brine for
"a hours. cup salt to 10 cups
water)
3. Drain and prepare according
to your favorits recipe.
Here Is one recipe you might
add to your list.
MIXED PICKLES
Roll sailed drained pickles on
cloth to dry off moisture. Pack In
lars and cover with hot spiced
vinegar-made OF quart vinegar,
2 tablespoons mixed pickle spices
boiled for S minutes.
For sweet pickles add one-third
to cup granulated sugar to quart
Of spiced vinegar. Seal and place
In hot water bath. Boil pints for
Is minutes; quarts for 20 min
utes. Be sure the jars are covered
with 2 inches of water, and are set
on a rack. raised h-inch from the
bottom of the water bath.
The CIO news. (Cumberland, Md.) 1942-????, 1943-08-23
Ask Pay for Lost
Seumen's Relatives

New York, Aug. 21-An unprece-
denied request was sent today to
the Natl War Labor Board by the
American Communications Assn.
CLIO, asking for approval Of pay
ment of retroactive wages to the
beneficIaries Of men lost at sea,
or, where there 10 no legally desig-
mated beneficiary, to the United
geamen's Service.
The CIO news. (Cumberland, Md.) 1942-????, 1943-08-23
Give Him A
Pulitzer Prize!

Indianapolis. Aug. 21-Guess who
Is the author OF a nice, gentle
little slug of rhetoric about War
Dept. Procedure In notifying rela-
tives of soldiers deaths In the
fight against fascism?
It's Frederick Heller Wright.
copy editor of the New York Daily
News, under Indictment as q Jap
anese spy. He is the author Of
charming piece in the American
Legion magazine. published here
August Is, entitled, "We Regret
to Inform YOU" sprinkled with
references to Uncle Sam.
The CIO news. (Cumberland, Md.) 1942-????, 1943-08-23

September IA at leaSt one auxiliary
delegation will have called on every
Los Angeles representative. They've
already seen Jerry Voorhis and
Ward Johnson and they've reported
to the public on their interviews
on the CLIO radio program. "Our
Daily Bread"
In Hopkins, MIMI, UE AuxiI-
larry 1888, arranged o joint meet
Ing with their local ut which
Congressman Gale spoke. He
didn't get very far In trying to
defend his position In voting
against subsidies, against ade-
quate funds for OPA, and for
Smith onnally. The discussion
was heated and ut the end Gale
said. az feel as though you won't
support me In my next CAM
paign."
NMU auxiliaries have been doing
a fine job. In New York. in addi-
ton to participating in delegations.
they're circulating petition TO
Congressman in the neighborhoods.
The signatures will be presented
just before their representatives
leave for Washington.
MORE DELEGATIONS
In Baltimore and San Pedro COM
mittees are arranging delegations
to Congressman. The Boston aux
Hilary has set up a special commit
tee to see Senator Lodge. The
main thing they'll talk about is the
importance of rushing through the
anti-roll tax bill. They want him
to urge the Senate Judiciary Com
mittee to report the bill as soon
as Congress convenes and to vote