The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-03-01
Department of Commerce and Labor
Created and Several Anti
Trust Bills Adopted.
STAFF CORPS PROVIDED FOR
LAWS OF VITAL INTEREST TO THE
PHILIPPINES ENACTED.
Bill to Punish Anarchists Ready for
the Presidents Signature-Re-
view of Other Work.

WASHINGTON, FEB. Z6.-Tne work Oh
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 appropria-
ton bills now pending, and these are in the
final stages. A limited number of other
measures may be passed during the last
hours but the number will be very small.
A summary of the legislation enacted
during the two sessions makes an interest
ing showing. The Fifty-seventh has been a
busy Congress and important results have
obtained. Among the acts of this session is
that creating the Department of Commerce
and Labor and adding another Cabinet
officer to the Presidents official family.
That department with George b. Cortelyou,
late secretary to the President, at its head
is now in the process of organization. The
bill creating this department was intro
duced by Senator Nelson and was passed
by the Senate the last session, passing the
House during the present session when an
amendment proposed by Mr.. Nelson was
incorporated. This amendment contained
a publicity clause.
Another important piece of legislation
enacted at this session is the ant-rebate
act, commonly known as the Elkins law.
Another bill was passed which enables the
attorney general to expedite suits under the
Sherman antitrust law, and incorporated in
the legislative, executive and Judlcial ap-
preparation bill is a provision which places
at the disposal of the attorney general the
sum of $500, 900 to better equip him for the
enforcement of the antitrust laws now ex-
isting further provision is made in the
general deficiency bin for two assistants to
the attorney general and additional clerks.
The House also passed the Littlefeld anti
trust bill which contained publicity feat
ure as well 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 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 United States army, the duties of
which are to prepare plans FOR the defense
of the country and for the mobilization or
the armies of the United States in time of
war as well as to render professional aid
TO the secretary of war and the general Of
ficers of the army. This measure was pro-
posed by the secretary of war.
The militia bill, introduced by Repre-
sentative Dick, of Ohio, and which passed
the House during the first session, passed
the Senate during this session and has be-
come law. This act provides for the gen.
eral organization of the militia or the
United States and makes 1t available when
its services may be required by the gov
eminent.
The naval appropriation bill, which has
passed both houses, provides for material
increase in the personnel of the navy TO
meet the growing demand for officers and
men; also for an increase in the number OF
WarSh1pS.
Measures of great Importance to the Phil
ippines have been adopted at this session.
An appropriation of $3,OOO0OO was made to
relieve the distress caused by the favages
of diseases 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 10 war and other
causes A currency system has been pro-
vded for the Philippine islands. Another
act promoted the efficiency OF the Philippine
constabulary and still another provided
for extradition of criminals to and from the
islands. The House passed Dill 10 reduce
the Philippine tariff, and the Senate has
been urged by the President to complete
that act.
at this session for the redemption by the
United States of Hawaiian silver money
| and the appropriation to pay judgments
growing out OF the suppression Of bubonic
plague. 4
The sundry civil bill soon to become a
law makes appropriations for carrying for
ward river and harbor work and federal
| building construction while the omnibus
public building bill now pending authorizes
large number of new buildings throughout
The anarchy bill, providing for the pro-
| lection Of the President, has passed both
houses, and conferees have agreed upon il.
The bankruptcy law was amenCeQ, ana
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 number of private
| pension bills. y building, to cost
| 81, 800, 900, has been authorized for the De-
| partment of Agriculture.
Among the acts of the Fifty-seventh
| Congress which were adopted at the first
| session 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, repeal of
| war taxes, extending charters of national
banks, creating permanent census bureau,
providing a system for the irrigation of
| the arid lands of the West, providing a
consular and 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 one or
| two exceptions all the others have been
sent to conference. Those approved are
| the pension, the legislative, executive and
| judicial, the diplomatic and consular and
| two urgent deficiency bills. Those in con-
| ference are the District of Columbia, the
! agricultural, the Military Academy, post
/ Office, sundry civil, naval and Notifications
| bills. Owing to the differences 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
o,.rf-f iod fha