Gilpin observer., 1906-06-28
LAWS ENACTED
IMPORTANT WORK OF THE FIFTY.
NINTH CONGRESS.
RESUME OF BILLS PASSED
Railroad Rate Bill and Meat Inspec-
tion Bill Will Soon Become Laws.
Panama Canal Question Settled.
Two New States Authorized.


Panama Canal Question Settled.
Two New States Authorized.
Washington. - Important measures
extending federal regulation and con-
troll have been enacted at the first ses-
sion of the Fifty-ninth Congress. The
railroad rate and the meat inspection
bills will soon become laws and be-
fore adjournment both houses will
have passed pure food bills which, al
though dissimilar in terms, are both
based on the same principle of fed
eral control.
There has been no marked division
on party lines in effecting the above
results, the differences being only as
to ways and means rather than as to
policy.
Besides branching off into this new
field of legislative endeavor, the pres
ent session has made itself important
in other ways. 1t has added one, and
perhaps two, new states to the Union,
and by so doing has disposed of four
territories. Great results to the peo-
pie are expected from the removal of
the tax on denaturized alcohol, and IL
predictions are fulfilled, heat, light
and power are to be supplied by alco-
hol made from the corn fields Of the
country, from sugar beets and sugar
cane, from fruits and other vege-
tation.
By deft turn of legislative points
OF view the questions that have per-
picked Congress for some time regard
Ing the Panama canal have been set
tied.
The President may dig lock
canal as fast as he pleases. A joint
resolution was agreed to, requiring
canal supplies to be made of Ameri-
can manufacture.
Organized labor has succeeded in
its requests of the present session of
Congress to the extent of securing the
enactment of what is known as the
employers liability bill. This will
make it possible for an employe to Sc
cure damages for his injury notwith-
standing his own neglience may have
been in part responsible for that in
jury.
Another bill that doubtless will be-
come law is that limiting the hours
of continuous service of railway train
men to sixteen consecutive hours
work, to be followed by ten hours
rest. The much agitated eight-hour
day bill received favorable vote from
the House labor committee, but too
late TO secure action at the hands of
Congress. The anti-injunction bill
was postponed in committee until
the next session.
One of the novel features of law
making was the enactment of a meas
ure to preserve the scenic beauty of
Niagara falls. This action was in d.
rect response to popular demand
that the falls be not denuded of their
beauty to serve the purposes of COM
merce.
Enthusiasts for the greater navy
regard the legislation of the session
as inimical to the proper growth of
that arm of our fighting force. Con-
gress authorized the construction of
the biggest battleship afoat." with
the provision that before the plans are
submitted or bids received or ac-
cepted the plans of the ship must be
submitted to Congress at its next ses-
sion. This provision was fought in the
House with great zeal and was car
ried by but a small majority.
HaZing at the naval academy was
given a further legislative rebuke by
the passage of a bill giving the Sec
retary of the navy discretion to dis
miss or otherwise punish hazers at
that institution.
A law was passed which will result
in appropriate markings being made
over the graves of Confederate veter-
ans of the army and navy who died
in northern prisons during the Civil
War.
The wearing Of the insignia Of the
Grand Army Of the Republic or other
soldier organizations by others than
members OF these organizations is
made a misdemeanor.
Alaska was given the right to send
. delegate to Congress. and an act
was passed whereby that territory
will have a larger school and public
improvement fund. The secretary of
the interior was also authorized to al
lot homesteads to the natives OF
Alaska.
President Roosevelt was given $25,-
600 to pay travelling expenses of him
self and invited guests.
The private pension legislation of
the session was heavy and many hun
dreds of such acts will be signed be-
fore the end comes.
The jamestown, Virginia, centen-
nial is expected to be recognized by
law before the session ends.