Evening star., 1947-11-17
Galleries Packed
In House Chamber
AS Session Opens

The Elghtleth congress e4-
traordinary session received
President Truman in a colorful
setting in the House chamber
today with the galleries "sold
out" for days in advance.
Only those privileged to receive
specinal cards were able to push
past vigilant guards and fill the
seats before Mr.. Truman made his
appearance at l 80 pm.
Before the Senate and House
merged for the Presidents message,
they met separately. About 200
House members we're in their seats
when Speaker Martin banged his
gavel. The group repeated the
Lords Prayer in unison.
But the Speaker found 1t hard to
control the exuberant spirits of the
representatives. together for the
first time since the adjournment Of
July 81.
Chamber Buzzes.
The chamber buzzed with greet
ings and Mr.. Martin was forced to
rap for order time and again as the
voice of the clerk droned on in the
roll call, with 1856 answering present.
In routine manner, the House
adopted resolutions to notify the
President that it was in session and
ready for business. 1t authorized
the Speaker to appoint a COM
mittee to escort the President into
the chamber, the same procedure
followed by the Senate.
Greetings were particularly lusty
since many of the legislators had
been in Europe making first-hand
inquiries into the need for foreign
aid, while others had been home
feeling the pulse of their constitu-
ents on the days vital questions.
For the first time in history, the
joint session was to be seen as we'll
as heard, by medium of television.
Asks Divine Guidance.
The first mention of foreign aid
In the Senate came in the opening
prayer of the chaplain, the Rev.
Peter Marshall. In asking Divine
guidance for the membership on the
problems which called them back to
Washington, the chaplain said
hunger knows no politics, and want
will not wait"
When the last session began in
January 1t found itself facing a
two-day battle over the seating Of
Senator Bilbo, Democrat, of Mis-
sissippi. Today's session began with
the formal announcement that Sen
ator Bilbo had died during the
recess.
Senator Eastland, Democrat, of
Mississippi submitted the customary
resolution providing that when the
Senate concludes its business today
it will adjourn in memory of the
deceased Senator. 1t was adopted.
Bilbo Successor Sworn.
Senator Eastland then presented
the credentials OF Mr.. Bilbo's sue
cessor, Senator elect John c. STEM
mis-. and he took the oath of Office.
This brings the party division in the
Senate up to full voting strength, 81
Republicans and IS Democrats
Senator Bilbo's vote was not avail
able during the last session because
he was not sworn in for his new
term.
During the 25-minute session.
Minority Leader Barkley of Ken
lucky, and Senator Wiley, Republic
an, of Wisconsin, booth took the
floor to bring out that, in the judg-
ment of parliamentary experts, this
is not technically a special session
but merely an extension of the first
session of the 8Oth Congress. When
both houses recessed in July, it was
under a resolution which provided
for their return at the call either OF
congressional leaders, or by the
President, exercising his constitu-
tional right.