The Saint Paul globe. (St. Paul, Minn.) 1896-1905, 1903-03-01
WHAT CONGRESS HAS
ACHIEVED THIS
SESSION
Work Practically at an End
Except for Passage of APP
preparation Bills Digest
of Important Measures
That Have Become Laws.

WASHINGTON, D. c., Feb. 2S.-
The work of this session of congress,
the closing of which marks the eXpira-
ton Of the Fifty seventh congress,
is practically at an end, except for the
passage OF the appropriation bills.
three Of which are now in their final
stages. A limited number of measures
may be passed during the last hours.
The Fffty-Seventh has been a busy
congress, and great results have been
obtained. Among the acts of this ses-
sion is that creating the department of
commerce and labor, and adding an
other member to the presidents official
family Another important piece of
legislation is the anti-rebate act,
known as the Elllins law. Another bill
was passed which enables the attor-
ney general to expedite suits brought
under the Sherman anti trust law, and
incorporated in the legislative, eXecu-
tive and judicial appropriation act is
& provision which places at the imme-
date disposal of the attorney general
100000, to better equip him for the
enforcement Of the antitrust laws. A
further provision is made in the gem
eral deficiency bill for two assistants
TO the attorney general, and additional
clerks. The house also passed the Lit
tlefield antitrust bill, which contained
publicity feature as well as an anti
rebate clause. The bill failed to pass
the senate.
Coal and the Army.
One of the first acts of this session
was the removal Of the tariff on coal
of all kinds coming from any foreign
country. Legislation of Importance to
the army and navy was enacted. A
general staff corps has been provided
for the army, the duties of which are
to prepare plans for the defense of the
country and for the mobilization of the
army in times Of war, as we'll as to
render professional aid to the secre-
tary Of war and the general officers of
the army. The militia bill introduced
by Representative Dick, of Ohio, and
which passed the house during the first
session, passed the senate during this
session, and has become a law. This
act provides for the general organiza-
ton of militia and makes it available
when its services may be required by
the government.
The naval appropriation BILL which
has passed both houses, provides for
a material increase in the personnel Of
the navy to meet the growing demands
for officers and men; also for an in
crease in the number of warships.
For the Philippines.
Measures of great Importance to the
Philippines have been adopted at this
was made to relieve the distress and SUI
fering caused by the ravages of disease
among the water buffalo in the islands,
upon which the natives are almost
wholly dependent in the pursuit of agri-
culture, and distress resulting from the
shortage Of crops~due to war and other
causes. A currency system has been
provided for the Philippines. Another
act promoted the efficiency of the Philip
pine ,constabulary, and still another pro
Vlded for the eXtradition of criminals to
and from the islands Tho hon o. naSsad
a bill to reduce the Philippine tariff. and
J5e senate has been urged by the presi-
dent to complete that act
OF Importance to Hawaii is the acf
passed for the redemption by the United
State OF Hawaiian silver money and the
appropriation to pay judgments growing
out of the suppression of bubonic plague
The. sundry civil bill makes appropria-
ton for carrying on river and narbor
work and federal building construction.
Anarchy and Bankruptcy.
The anarchy bill providing for the pro-