The Mankato free press. [volume] (Mankato, Blue Earth County, Minn.) 1879-1924, 1908-09-18
A FEW OF THE IMPORTANT LAWS
ENACTED BY THE GOTH CON-
GRESS, FIRST SESSION.

Financial law whereby banks in pc
RODS of financial stringency may issue
currency to the amount of $50O,OOO,-
600, depositing as security therefor,
bonds, commercial paper or other as
sets, such emergency currency being so
taxed as to insure it's retirement as
soon as the stringency has passed.
Public buildings bill, authorizing
many needed structures, purchase of
sites, ETC., including site for Depart
ments of State and Commerce and La
Dor, adjoining Treasury and White
House grounds.
National monetary commission
created to devise a sound monetary sys-
TEN for the government.
Two new battleships, at cost Of
$6,O00,000 each, exclusive of armor
and armament; ten torpedo boat de-
stroyers, three steam GOLFERS and
eight submarines.
Consular service reorganiZed, abol-
ishing unnecessary consulships and con-
sui generalships, and establishing those
most needed.
Widows pensions increased from IS
to SO month, and certain unneces-
sary restrictions abolished.
Investigation of tariff, preliminary to
revision, confined to Ways and Means
and Finance Committees.
Model child labor law for District of
Columbia.
Employers liability bill enacted to
replace that pronounced unconstitution-
al by Supreme Court.
Government liability law; providing
compensation to all Federal employees
for injuries received in line of duty.
Efficiency of army medical corps in
creased by additional officers and crea-
ton of reserved medical corps.
Increasing army pay, officers approx
about forty per cent increase, applying
to both retired and active lists.
Increasing navy pay, officers and en-
listed men practically equaliZed with
army. Enlisted force increased 5000
men.
Restrictions on land Of the five civil
lied tribes removed, adding $15OOOO,-
600 to taxable property Of Oklahoma.
Numerous additional lights, light
houses and buoys.
Granting 5000 pensions to deserving
veterans of the Civil and Spanish wars.
Creation of commission and appro-
priation of $1,5OO,0OO for representa-
ton of the United States at the Toxic
Exposition.
Prohibiting dissertation and improp-
er use of the flag.
Appropriation of $29,227,00O for the
Panama Canal.
Anarchistic and seditious publica-
lions and intoxicants and cocaine ex-
Guided from the mails.
Secretary of War authorized to ex-
pend $25O,O0O for the relief Of suffer
ers from cyclone of April, 1908, in Geor-
gia, Alabama, Mississippi and Louis
lana.
Interstate Commerce Commission
authorized to prescribe regulations for
the transportation by common carriers
of explosives, to promote the safety of
passengers and employees.
Railroads engaged in interstate COM
merce prohibited after January 1, 1910,
from using any locomotive equipped
with an ashpan which necessitates any
employee getting under the engine.
Sixty-two laws authorizing construc-
ton of bridges over navigable streams.
Five laws authorizing construction of
dams in navigable streams.
Nine laws affecting Federal courts,
judicial districts, etc.
Seven laws affecting customs, grant
ing increased privileges to certain
ports, etc.
Twenty-Five laws affecting public
lands, making special grants, etc.
Seven laws for the District of Colum.
bia, including prohibition Of all betting
within the District, and providing for
free examination of sputum in suspect
ed cases of tuberculosis.
Investigation Of wood pulp industry
House committee reported no warrant
for altering tariff at this time and nc
conclusive evidence Of trust, but suf
ficient ground for further investigation
One hundred and fifty-two public
laws were enacted.
There were $500 invalid pension acts
and about 700 private pension acts.
Bills introduced in House over %,
600; in Senate, over 1000.
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