Los Angeles herald., 1905-03-02
LAWMAKERS HAVE
BEEN VERY BUSY
STRENUOUS RECORD OF SEES
SION NOW CLOSING
Over One Hundred Acts Affecting
Public Welfare Enacted Into
Law and Thousand
Private Bills
BY Associated Press.

BY Associated Press.
WASHINGTON, March 1.-The legls-
lative activity of the fifty-eighth con-
gress during it's short session just clos
ing may be estimated by the fact that
over 100 laws affecting the general pub
lie have been enacted, and over 1000
private acts passed. The private acts
consist largely of pensions granted,
while a few relief measures and re-
moval of charges of desertion make up
the remainder M4 "a.
The regular appropriation bills all
are progressing to completion and some
of them have already received the sig
nature of President Roosevelt. -A-4
II The senate has amended and ratified
arbitration treaties with seven Europ-
can powers and sixteen American re-
publcs 1t also has sat as court
and acquitted Charles Swayne, judge
of the district court for the northern
district of Florida, on articles of i'm
peachment voted by the house.
Philippines, Alaska and Panama
A revision o. the Philippine tariff
has progressed nearly to completion
without indication of defeat, and an
act has been signed intended to de-
velop the resources Of those islands by
guaranteeing interest on capital in
vested in railroad building and author
izing the issuance of bonds for muni-
cipal improvements, schools and roads.
The laws for Alaska have been codi-
fed, an additional district judge au-
thorized and the revenues from the
liquor traffic in that territory diverted
to the support of schools, the building
of roads and the care of the insane.
Legislation for the government of the
Panama canal zone and regulations Tor
the construction of the canal have been
passed by both houses, but differences
remain to be adjusted in conferences.
BattIeship Appropriations
Two new battleships were provided
for by congress in the naval appropria-
ton bill.
The trademark laws have been re-
vised and an International copyright
act passed. Jurisdiction of the forest
reserves has been transferred from the
interior to the agriculture department.
Authority to make arrests in forest re-
serves has been granted employees as
a. measure of further protection. Presi-
dent Roosevelt has been authorized to
set apart a portion of the Wichita for
est reserve as breeding place for
game animals and birds.
By resolution of the house the de-
partment of commerce and labor has
begun an investigation of the oil trust.
Obscene matter has been prohibited
importation and transit as interstate
commerce.
AS further aid in the enforcement
of the immigration laws, foreign ships
entering United States ports are re-
ouired to furnish complete passenger
lists.
Captured Confederate flags in pos
session of the war department have
been ordered returned to the proper
regiments carrying the colors.
The American Red Cross society has
been incorporated. as have also been
the trustees of the grand encampment
of Knights Templar of the United
States.
Statehood and Railroad Bills
The statehood bills have passed both
houses and are in conference. Both
measures contain provisions for the
admission of Oklahoma and the In
dian Territory as one state.
The foundation for railroad leglsla-
ton has been laid by the passage of
bill through the house, after ex-
haustive hearings. and the beginning
of an inquiry by the senate, which Il
to be conducted during the recess.
halt has haan callad In The av