Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1905-03-01
Over 100 Public and L.
900 Private Bills
Passed.
MORE ON THE WAY
Has at Least Provided for Ex-
penditure of the National
Revenues.

Washington, March 1.-The legisla
tive activity of the 5Sth congress dur
ing its short session just closing may
be estimated by the fact that over 10C
laws affecting the general public have
been enacted, and over 1000 private
acts passed.
The private acts consist largely OF
pensions granted, while relief meas
nres and rule on charges of desertiOn
make up the remainder. The regular
appropriation bills are all progressing
to completion and some of them have
already received the signature of the
president
Arbitration Ratified.
The senate has amended and ratified
arbitration treaties with seven Euro
pean powers and 1G American repub-
lies
The revision of the Philippine tariff
has progressed nearly to completion
with Indication of defeat, and an act
has been signed intended TO develop
the resources of those islands by guar
anteeing the interest on the capital in
vested in railroad building, and author
izing the issuance of bonds for munich
Aid for Alaska.
The laws for Alaska have been codi-
fed and an additional district judge
authorized. and revenues from liquor
traffic in that territory devoted to the
support of schools. building roads and
care of the insane.
Legislation for the government of
the Panama canal zone and regulations
for construction of the canal has pass
ed both houses, but differences remain
to be adjusted in conference.
Two new battleships are provided
for by congress in the naval appro-
priation bill.
The trade mark laws have been re-
vised and an international copyright
act passed.
Forest Control Transferred.
Jurisdiction of forest reserves has
been transferred from the interior to
the agricultural department The au-
thority to make arrests in the forest
reserves has been granted to employees
as a means of further protection. The
president has been authorized to set
apart a portion of the Wichita forest
reserve for game animals and birds.
The department of commerce and
labor has begun an investigation of the
oil trust.
Obscene matter has been prohibited
from importation and transit as inter
state commerce.
Keep Out Immigrants
AS further aid in the enforcement of
the immigration laws. steamships en-
tering United States ports are required
To furnish complete passenger lists.
The captured confederate battlefiags
in the war department were ordered
returned to the proper authorities of
the state in which the regiment carry
ing the colors was organized.
The American National Red Cross
society was incorporated, as were the
trustees of the grand enCampment of
knights Templar of the United States.
statehood I'm Conference.
Statehood bills have passed both
houses and are in conference. Both
measures contain provision for the
admission of Oklahoma and Indian Ter.
ritory as one state
Foundation for railroad legislation
has been laid by the passage of a bill
through the house after exhaustive
hearings and the beginning of an in
quiry by the senate which is TO be con.
Quoted during recess.
Extravaganza stopped.
A halt has been called in the ex
travagance with which public docu
mentS have been printed.
The president was authorized to
grant medals for heroism in saving life
in train wrecks.
Extradition laws of the United States
were extended 10 the Philippines.
Steamship Inspection.
Washington. March 1.-The hous,
today agreed TO the senate amend
ments TO the bill relating to the insPec
ton of steam vessels and the classi
fication of steamboat inspectors which
finally passed these measures.
Bills amending the homestead law
as 10 certain lands in South Dakot;
and, Colorado also passed.
Three Conference Reports.
Conference reports on the diplomat
ic and consular and District OF Col
umbia appropriation bills were agrees
to, passing both measures