Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-05-23

man antitrust law in the interest of both
capital and labor was demand and
bill was presented by the National Civic
Federation. 1t was advocated strongly
by Seth Low. Victor Morawetz and other
we'll known persons. but Samuel Gompers.
President of the American Federation of
Labor. and an officer of the National
Civic Federation as WELL did not take
kindly to it. After a number of hearings
were held before the judiciary committee
of the House and Senate it became evil
dent 1T stood no chance of passage. A
movement was then started for the ap-
pofntment of a commission to consid r.
such legsa ion during the recess of Con-
gress; but this met with no encourage
ment.
Conservation of Resources.
The question of conserving the natural
resources was before the session pron1i
nently many weeks. An effort was made
in both bod es to secure an appropriation
for the creation Of the southern Appa-
lachian and White mountains forest re-
serves. but it did not succeed. AS an
alternative a commission TO investigate
was authorized. The creation of wa
terways fund" by making an appropr a
ton of SJO.0OONtD was advocated and
rejected. because, among ether reasons.
of the condition of the Treasury. AS a
substitute a bill was prepared to Con
tinue" the inland waterways commission
which bill was amended to "authoriZe'
the commission. On tn s subject there
was great deal of debate. it being con-
tended that President Roosevelt had no
authority to appoint the commission in
the first place. Graf interest attached
to this legislation because OF the conven-
ing by Pres dent Roosevelt of the confer
ence Of governors during the present
month. AT this conference questions con-
nected with the conservation of natural
resources were brought conspicuously be-
fore Congress. The bill to permit the
President to appoint the inland water
ways commission was passed.
Pay for Army, Navy and Marines.
An action of great interest was the
provision for a substantial increase in the
pay of officers and enlisted men of the
army. navy. Marine Corps revenue cutter
service and life-saving service of the gov
eminent. Several other bills were passed
for the benefit of the military establish
ment, and among these was a provision
to increase the Marine Corps by what will
amount to one regiment.
4 bill was passed removing the re-
strictionS from the sale and disposition Of
lands held by members of the five civil
lied tribes. except full bloods. The effect
erty on the tax lists Of Okla homa. which
will increase the revenues of that state
by about $3.UOt.OOO annually.
Campaign publicity bills were consid-
cred in both branches of Congress. but
none Of the measures became a law. bills
regulating the shipment of liquor to pro-
hiDition states were considered without
results and bills to establish postal saw
ings banks met the same fate.
4 determined effort was made in the
Senate to take a step looking toward ship
subsidy The ocean main Subvention bill
was passed as an amendment to the post
office appropriation bill. 1t met with de-
feat in the House and is a disputed item
in conference. 1t is intended to encoura ge
the ests blishment of mail and passenger
steamship Ines from the United States
ports 10 ports in South America. Philip
pine Islands. Japan. China. and Australasia
Another impor' ant piece of legislation in
the post Office bill is a provision authoriz-
ing the Postmaster General to suppress
periodicals which publish articles melting
anarchy arson o. murder.
Bills That Passed.
Among other matters which became
laws at the present session are the fol-
lowing: Prohibiting betting on races
in the District of Columbia; requiring
the registration of all cases of tubercu-
losis in the District of Columbia. which
is int. nGed as a model FOR state legis-
lation; reclassifying many important
posts in the consular service: repealinp
the shipping law in relation to trade
with the Philippine Islands SO as 70
permit the free operation of foreign
vessels. and increasing from So to SO
a month the pensions To widows and
orphans OF soldiers.
During the session 3.734 private pen
sion bills became laws
Many matters were before one body
without attracting attention in the
other In the Sen"te were the Browns
Vile affray and the movement for the
reinstatement of the negro soldiers who
were discharged without honor the
whole subject going over until next
session; an investigation of charges of
structural defects in battleships before
the committee on naval affairs; the
treaties negotiated at The Hague con-
ference, and general arbitration treaties
with practically all nations. all of
which were ratified. The treaty provid-
ing for the control Of wireless telee-
raphy went over until next session as
did also the question Of taking some
action against President Castro lookinp
to the collection of American claims
against Venezuela. In the House there
were extended hearings on resolutions
providing for the abolition Of the tariff
on wood pulp and print Iaper which
have failed to result in legislative ac-
ton; also an investigation of charges
brought by Representative Lilley of
Connecticut affecting the conduct Of
members of Congress concerning the
submarine boat legislation. which In
curry resulted in severe arrangement
OF Mr.. Lilley himself