New-York tribune., 1903-03-01
THE WORK OF CONGRESS.
II BUSY SESSION.
Many Measures of Great Importance
Enacted.

Enacted.
Washington, Feb 28-Tae work Of this ses-
sion, the close OF which marks the expiration
OF the LvITth Congress, l. practically at an end
except for the oassage OF the appropriation bills
now pending, and these are in the final stages.
Some other measures may be passed in the last
hours, but the number viii be small.
A summary of the legislation enacted at the
two sessions makes an interesting showing. The
LvIith has been busy Congress and impor-
tant results have been obtained
ANTITRUST LEGISLATION.
Among the ects Of this session is that creating
the Department OF Commerce and Labor. and
sdding another Cabinet officer to the Presidents
Official family. Tha- department. with George
3. Cortelyou, formerly secretary to the Presi-
dent, at its head, is now IN process OF organiza-
tion. The bin creating it was introduced by
Senator Nelson, and was passed by the Senate
at the last session, passing the House at the
present session. when an amendment proposed
by Mr. Nelson was Incorporated. This amend
ment contained a publicity clause. Another i'm
portant piece Of legislation enacted at this ses-
sion is the snti-rebate act commonly known sH
she Elkins law.
Another bill was passed which enables the At
torney General to expedite suits brought under
the Sherman Antitrust law and INCORPORATED
in the Legislative, Executive and Judicial An
preparation act is provision which places at
the immediate disposal Of the Attorney General
the sum OF $4,000 to aid him In the enforce
ment Of the antitrust laws now existing A
further provision Is made in the General De-
hciency bill for two assistants to the Attorney
General and additional clerks
The House also passed the LittIefeld Anti
Trust bin, which contained publicity feature
as well as an anti-rebate clause. The bill
failed in the Senate
One Of the first acts of this session was the
removal Of the tariff OF coal coming from any
foreign country.
Legislation of Importance to the army and
navy was enacted General Staff Corps has
been provided for the army, the duties of which
are 20 prepare plans for the defence of the
country and for the mobilization OF the armies
of the United States in times Of war. well
to render professional aid to the Secretary
Of War and the general officers Of the army.
This measure was proposed by the Secretary OF
War.
The Militia bill, introduced by Representative
Dick, Of Ohio, and which passed the House at the
first session, passed the Senate at this session,
and has become & law. This act provides for
the general organization OF the militia of the
United States and makes 1t available when its
services may be required by the government.
The Naval Appropriation bill, which has
passed both houses, provides for q material in
crease in the personnel Of the navy to meet the
growing demands for officers and men and for
an increase in the number of warships.
FOR THE PHILIPPINES
Measures Of great Importance to the Philip
pines have been adopted at this session. An
appropriation OF 100000 was made to relieve
the distress and suffering caused by the raw
ages OF disease among the water buffalo in the
islands. on which the natives are almost wholly
dependent In the pursuit OF agriculture, and dis
tress resulting from the shortage Of crops due to
war and other causes. 4 currency system has
been provided -cr the Philippines. Another act
promoted the efficiency Of the Philippine con-
stabulary. and still another provided for extra.
dition OF criminals TO and from the Islands The
House passed bill to reduce the Philippine
tariff and the Senate has been urged by the
President TO complete that act
VI Importance to Hawaii are the act passed
at this session for the redemption by the United
States OF Hawaiian silver money and the an
propriation to pay judgments growing out Of the
suppression OF the bubonic plague
The Sundry Civil bill, soon to become a law
naahes appropriations for carrying forward
river ana harbor work and federal building con-
sIucuon, While the Omnibus Public Building
p.A' now pending, authorizes a large number
OF new buildings throughout the United States
Inc Ant-Anarchy BILL providing for the pro-
lection Of the President, has passed both houses
ano conferrees have agreed on it,
me bankruptcy law was amended and
passed In addition. large number of bills of
interest 70 different localities have been passed,
together with considerable number Of private
pension bills. new building, to cost 81, ,5OO-
w. has been authorized for the Department of
Agriculture
Among the acts of the With Congress
which were adopted at the first session are
the following:
Authorizing the construction Of isthmian
canal, providing civil government for the Phil
ippines, extending the Chinese exclusion laws,
repeal Of war taxes, extending charters Of
donal banks, creating permanent Census Bu-
reau. providing a system for the irrigation of
the arid lands Of the West, providing a con-
sular ant diplomatic service for Cuba.
Five Of the general appropriation bills have
been signed by the President, and two others
the Indian and the Army-have finally passed
both houses With two exceptions, all
the others have been sent to conference. Those
approved the Pension, the Legislative, the
Executive and Judicial. the Diplomatic and Con-
gular and two Urgent Deficiency bills. Those in
conference are the District of Columbia, the
Agricultural Military Academy. Postof1ces,
Sundry Civil and Naval and Fortihcations bills.
Owing TO the difference between the figures in
the bills as passed by the House and amended
by the Senate it is difficult at this time to give
an estimate Of the aggregate of the appropria-
tions carried by the general bills.