The Columbus journal., 1906-07-04
NATIONAL CONGRESS ENDS TASKS
BY PASSING IMPORTANT MEASURES

mtASURt3
I already great burden the consideration
of cases raising the issue as to wheth-
er certain articles of food or drugs
contain harmful Ingredients, are mis-
branded or because of their labels vio-
late the pure food law.
Canal Type Is Fixed.
With the adjournment of congress
it is possible to make a survey of the
entire field of important legislation
enacted during the session. The three
most prominent measures already
have been referred to, and their gen.
eral provisions are we'll known to the
country. Next in point of interest
perhaps comes the Panama canal act.
The house first declared in favor of
the lock canal, by providing that no
portion of the money appropriated in
the sundry civil bill should be ex-
pended on a sea level project. A ma
/ JOIlly VI luS 0CuotS SOA4AA4SSSCS ASPOAS
ed in favor of a sea level canal, but
after a vigorous debate the presidents
recommendation in favor Of q lock
type was approved by . vote OF 36
to 81.
A joint resolution was passed by
congress requiring the purchase of
supplies and materials for the canal in
| the American market unless the presi-
| dent shall determine that the bids of
| domestic producers are extortiOnate or
unreasonable.
Congress appropriated $42, 500, 900
SIG, 900 being deficiency appropria-
tons and $26.O 0O, 900 being for work
during the fiscal year 1907. In addi-
ton to these appropriations steps are
being taken to issue the canal bonds
authorized by the Spooner act. which
may be issued from time to time"
to the extent of $3.50, 0OO, 600. During
the present session congress provided
that these bonds should have the
rights and privileges of other two per
cent. bonds of the United States and
| the tax of one-fourth of one per cent.
imposed upon bonds deposited to Sc
/ cure national bank circulation was i'm
for such security. 1t was also pro-
vided that the deficiency appropriation
should be returned to the treasury
from the proceeds of the sale of the
canal bonds.
Statehood Issue Settled.
The admission Of Oklahoma and In
dian territory as a single state wal
accomplished by the act approved
June is. The act also admits Arizona
and New Mexico into the union as a
single state, provided that a majority
in each of the territories shall vote
for joint statehood, land not other
wise" This bill was the subject of
bitter contention, as it had been in
former sessions. 1t passed the house
In the form of a bill admitting the
four territories as two states. The
senate amended the bill by eliminat-
ing all provisions relating to Arizona
and New Mexico. In conference the
conditional admission of these ter
ritories az a state was agreed upon.
and after vigorous debate in both
houses the conference report was
agreed to.
After several years of effort on the
part of the state department congress
at this session passed an act reorgan-
izing the consular service. The con-
suls general and consuls are grouped
by classes. and provision is made for
an inspection service consisting of five
consuls general at large. with a sal
ary OF $1,000 each. No officer in the
consular service receiving more than
s 1000 is permitted to engage in bust
ness or practice law. All fees are to
be turned into the treasury. Origin
ally tine bill prvided that the higher
ohlces should be filed by promotion
only. but this provision was elimin-
ated and the promotion system has
been established by the state depart
ment without further enactment.
Boon in Alcohol Bill.
A most important piece of legisla-
ton is the removal of the tax upon
denatured alcohol. 1t wa strongly
opposed by manufacturers of kerosene
and gasoline. In the debate it was
alleged that. with the tax removed,
alcohol could be manufactured and
sold cheaper than either kerosene or
gasoline and that it would enter into
universal s for Illuminating, motive
power and otherwise.
A national quarantine law. provid- |
ing for uniformity of administration |
and giving the federal government |
power to establish guarantees in
port cities and supersede the local and
state authorities, has been passed.
An employers liability bill, to meet
the demands of the trainmen of the |
United States. has been placed upon
the statute books after years of effort.
Creator Ali for N1;1;<;> |