Omaha daily bee., 1903-03-01
CONGRESS HAS BEEN BUSY
Many Important Measures Adopted During
the Last Two Years.
NsUlAR POSSESSIONS INCREASE LABOR
Numerous Bills TO Aid Philippines Put
Through, Though TariG Reductions
stIII Hats In senate After
Passing House. Z.

WASHINGTON, Feb. 2S-The work OF
the session which opens on Wednesday
with the expiration OF the Fifty-seventh
congress-, is practically at an end.
A SUMMARY Of the legislation enacted
during the two sessions makes an inter-
esting showing.
Among the acts Of this session is that
creating the Department Of Commerce and
adding another cabinet ofncer. The bill
creating this department was introduced
by Senator Nelson. and was passed by the
senate during the last session. passing
the house during the present session, when
an amendment proposed by Mr.. Nelson
was incorporated. This amendment con-
tsined a publicity clause.
Anti-Trust LeEisIation.
Another important piece OF legislation
enacted at this session lie the anti-rebate
act, commonly known as the Elkin's law.
Another bill was passed enabling the at
torney general to expedite suits brought
under the sherman antitrust law and in
corpOrated in the legislative, executive
and judicial appropriation act, is a pro-
vision placing at his immediate disposal
$780, 900 to better equip him for the work.
The house also passed the Littleheld
antitrust bill, which contained a publicity
feature as we'll as an anti-rebate clause.
The bill failed Of passage in the senate.
One Of the first acts OF this session was
the removal OF the tariff on coal of ali
kinds coming from any foreign country.
Legislation Of importance to the army
and navy was enacted. A general stan
corps being provided. the duties OF which
are to prepare plans for the defense OF
the country and for the mobilization OF
the armies In times Of war. This meas
ure was proposed by the secretary of war.
The militia bill provides for the general
organization OF the militia.
The naval appropriation bill, which has
passed both houses, provides for a ma
terial increase in the personnel OF tbe
navy and for an increase In the number
of warships.
Measures Of great Importance to The
Philippines have been adopted at this aos-
sion. An appropriation OF $50, 900, 900 to re-
lieve the suffering caused by the ravages
OF disease among the water buffalo, upon
which the natives are almost wholly de-
pendent in the pursuit Of agriculture. and
the shortage of crops due to war and other
causes. A currency system has also been
provided for the islands. Another act has
promoted the efficiency of the Philippine
constabufary and still another provides for
extradition of criminals to and from the
islands. The house passed a bill to re.
duce the Philippine tariff and the senate
has been urged by the president to com
plete the act.
Much Money is Voted.
The sundry civil bill soon to become a
law makes appropriations for carrying for
ward rivers, harbor work and federal build
ing construction, while the omnibus pub
lie building bill now pending authorizes a
large number Of buildings throughout the
United States. The anarchy bill providing
for the protection Of the president passed
both houses and conferees have agreed
upon It.
The bankruptcy law was amended and a
number of bills affecting public lands were
passed. In addition a large number OF bills
Of interest to different localities have been
passed. together with a considerable num-
Der Of private pension bills. "
A new building, to cost 81, 500, 0U0, has
been authorized for the Department Of
Agriculture.
Among the acts OF the Fifty-seventh con-
gress which we're adopted at the first ses-
sion are the following: Authorizing the
construction OF an isthmian canal, provid-
ing civil government for the Philippines,
providing revenue for the Philippines, ex-
tending Chinese exclusion laws. repeating
the war taxes. extending charters OF ma
tional banks, creating a permanent census
bureau, providing a system for the irri-
cation of the arid lands OF the west.
Five Of the general appropriation bills
have been signed by the president. and two
others, the Indian and the army, have been
finally passed by both houses. With one
or two exceptions, all the others have been
sent to conference. Those approved are:
The appropriation. the legislative, execu-
tive and judicial, the diplomatic and con-
sular and two urgent deficiency bills. Those
in conference are: The District of Column
bia. the agriculture, the military academy.
postofhce, sundry civil and naval bills.
Owing TO the difference between the fg-
ures in the bills as passed by the house
and as amended by the senate, 1t is dificult
at this time to give an estimate OF the APP
propriations carried by the general bills.