Adams County news. [volume] (Ritzville, Wash.) 1898-1906, 1906-06-27
FIRST SESSION ENDS
CONGRESS has ADJOURNED AFTER
A STRENUOUS TINE.
Railroad Rate Bill Caused Greatest
Debate-Pure Food and Meat In.
spection Bills Provide Important
Changes-President Given Nearly
Forty Millions to Build Canal.

The first session of the 59th con-
gress ended Saturday. 1t has been a
strenuous session from start to finish.
The measure which caused the great
est debate is the railroad rate bill,
begun with the session, its considera-
ton continuing throughout.
The pure food enactment and the
meat inspection provisions are also
important changes in the federal atti.
tude toward both the producer and
consumer of the country.
A uniform and more strict method
of naturalizing aliens was enacted.
The immunity of witnesses from
prosecution who give testimony before
government tribunals was made the
subject of an enactment which clearly
states when such immunity obtains
and when otherwise.
A bill removing the internal reve-
nue. tax on denatured alcohol was also
passed.
The type of the Panama canal was
fixed, thus settling a question which
has perplexed both the professional
and lay mind. The president Is to
build a lock level canal, and was given
a total of $39,OOO,OOO for the year for
that purpose. 1t was required that
material for the canal should be of
American manufacture, unless the
president shall find the price ex-
cessive, in which case he is given au-
thority to buy abroad.
The consular service was given a
complete new legal status, which will
permit of an entire reorganization.
When the appropriations for the
session are totaled it will be found
that they have reached nearly $780,.
100000.
The naval increases which have
been going on annually received some
what of setback -
THE largest battle ship afloat''
was authorized, but congress required
that before bids for it are accepted
the plans must be sent to congress at
its next session. The annual appro-
priation for the state militia was
doubled and hereafter 100000 will
be spent from the treasury for the
purpose of keeping the state militia
organizations in touch with the regu.
lar army.
A measure of importance to rail.
road and other employees engaged in
similar employments in regard to EN-
ployers' liability became law. The
government will participate in the
jamestown tercentepnial exposition
and $1,325,OOO was authorized
by congress to be expended out of the
federal treasury for that event
Speedy appropriations for the San
Francisco sufferers resulted from re-
quests by the president, $2,500,OO0 be-
ing donated directly, and supplies and
stores of the government nearly
equaled that amount.
Private pension legislation for the
benefit of the old soldier who is un-
able to receive pension under the
statute laws kept up its usual heavy
pace.
President Roosevelt went to the
capitol during the morning OF sign
bills that may be passed during the
last hours of congress.
With the president at the capitol
were his secretary and assistant
secretary, Loeb and Latta, and all of
the members of the cabinet except
Secretary Metcalf; Mr.. Bacon, first
assistant secretary of state, and Mr..
Murray. assistant secretary of COM
merce and labor.