The Corvallis times. (Corvallis, Or.) 1888-1909, 1903-03-14
WHAT CONGRESS DID
BRIEF RESUME OF LEGISLATION
ENACTED DURING THE LATE
SESSION.

1 IenSlOn LaW6-Re1uS6Q lie.
duction Tariff Rates for
Philippines-Duty on
Coal Removed
Other News.
Washington March 12,-The leg
islation enacted by the late congress
is summed up in the following:
A plan for controlling trusts and
corporations was made operative
by the passage Of the bills, each
dove-tailing with the other. These
provide for publicity prevent the
giving or receiving Of rebates, pro-
hibit discriminating rates and
give cults, againsttrusts precedence
in Federal courts over ordinary
cases. Their value depends on
how vigorously the President enfor.
ces them,
The ninth executive department
of the Government was created,
being designated as that of Conn
merce and Labor. Efforts to secure
this Legislation have been made in
many previous Congresses without
success.
An act was passed creating a
general staff corps for the army,
thereby placing it on the same foot,
ing as the European organization.
This has been one of Secretary
Roots chief am bitions. The reor-
ganization OF the army will be efec
tive after the retirement of Gsn.
Miles.
Provisions was made for creating
militia service which will be great
service in time of war.
| A. new immigration law passed
which will do much to restrain the
incoming Of Objectionable aliens.
It will render the contact laborlaws
more rigid, and puts into execu-
ton stringent regulations for the
exclusion and control of anarchists.
The bankruptcy actwas amended
as to remove the objections raised
against the existing law and to
prevent fraudulent transactions by
debtors.
The gold standard was extended
to the Philippine Islands and q
lsystem Of coinage provided. This
Legislation was strongly urged by
the Taft Commission and the presi.
dent. It is expected to place bust
nees on a firm basis and increase
the general prosperity.
The duty on anthracite coal was
removed, permitting large impor-
tations of fuel from Nova Scotia
and Canada. This afforded some
relief to the border states from the
coal famine caused by the strike in
the anthracite regions,
The sum of $4,000. 900 was given
to relieve distress In the Philip
pines caused by famine and suffer
ing due to hostilities.
An act was passed to increase
the pension of those who have lost
limbs in the military or naval serv-
ice of the United States.
The safety of employees and trav-
elers on railroads has been increas-
ed by additional legislation requir-
ing the use of automatic couplers,
continuous brakes and driving
wheel brakes.
The pension laws were amended
to prevent the practice of young
women marrying aged ex-soldiers
for the purpose of receiving widow
pensions after their deaths.
The bill reducing tariff on all
importations from the PHILIPPINES
to the United States to IS per cent
of the Dingley act rates, which
passed the house, was talked to
death in the senate. The measure
was urgently desired by the presi-
dent, who sent his last special
message to congress on that sub
ject.
The Fowler currency bill in the
house and the Aldrich financial
bill in the senate failed to pass
either body.
The omnibus statehood bill,
which passed the house last
session, provided for the admission
OF Arizona, New Mexico and Okla
honaa as states, was filibustered
against in the senate for nearly
fourteen weeks and its passage pre-.
vented although pronounced ma
jority of the senateIfavored it.
The Panama canal treaty and
the Cuban reciprocity treaty failed
of ratification. and will be con-
sidered at the special session of
the senate.