The Topeka state journal., 1908-06-01

Authorized the construction of two
battle ships with the promise of two
next session.
Raised the pay of all officers and
men of the army and navy, marine
corps and revenue cutter service.
Passed a militia law making every
able-bodied man between IS and 40
years liable to service.
Adopted arbitration treaties with
nearly every country in Europe and
with Japan.
Continued the work Of the water
ways commission.
Provided for the defense of the Phil
ippines and Hawaiian ports by sub
marine mines and fortifications.
Appropriated 81, 100000 for participa-
tion by the United States in the Jap
anese exposition of 1910.
What Congress Has Not Done:
Declined to ACCEPT President Roose-
velt's four battleship proposition.
Failed to adopt postal savings bank
plan.
Passed up until next December the
bill to reinstate discharged coiored
troops.
No national child labor law, but date
set for it's consideration next December.
Granted no increased powers to pro-
hibition states over Interstate ship
ments of liquors.
Continued the investigation of the pa
per and pulp tariff matter.
Enacted no law requiring publicity
of campaign expenses.
Making no provision for the spank
ing" of Castro the Venezuelan presi-
dent.
Failed to put wireless telegraphy un-
der government control.
Refused to give interstate commerce
commission authority to pass upon pro-
posed increased railroad rates before
they go into effect,
Failed to relieve the coal-carrying
railroads from the necessity Of dispos-
ing of their mines.
Failed to consider bills regulating
dealings in options.
Other Bills That Failed:
Administration-civic federation bill
to amend the Sherman antitrust law.
Bill for the reduction of the tariff on
| the products of the Philippine Islands.
| Anti-injunction bill. CThere are ten
or fifteen measures OF this nature be-
| fore congress)
| Bills for revision and codification of
| the laws of the United States in accord
ance with the report of a commission
| which put in seven years at the task
| Bill to make Porto Ricans citizens OF
| the United States.
| Bill for retirement of superannuated
| federal clerks.
! Bill to provide embassies for repre-.
i
| eign countries.
| Bill to establish forest reserves ir
the southern Appalachians and in tho
White mountains Of New Hampshire.
Congress Late in Responding.
President Roosevelt has been persist
ent in prodding congress with messages
recommending legislation and congress
| in large measure did not respond.
Legislative problems presented dur
ing the session for solution in whicl
the public generally or sections o
classes demanded action exceeded il
Eumber and Importance those of an,
| recent congress. Most of these wer
President Roosevelt's policies.
The most conspicuous, IL not also tn
most important achievement of con
gress. was the enactment of an emer
gency currency law following the fill
buster of the closing hours. Thrus
upon the legislators at the opening o
the session by the financial depression
OF last fall. the entire session has beel
| occupied in attempts which at time
seemed hopeless. to compromise tn
! various remedial measures proposed
| Final action Is only temporary in ma
ture. commission being authorized t
consider the whole financial question
: and recommend such permanen
; changes as may be needed in our laws
Labor was prominently before con
gress with support and opposition I
various bills proposed. No united de
2 mand upon general legislative pro
3 gramme was submitted by organize
labor, and the approach of the electio
E deferred the majority in the considera
l ton and disposal of various bills !
new employers liability law. to replac
the one declared unconstitutional wa
D | enacted Other matters of equal 9
a greater Importance to labor. such a
anti-in1unction and the exemption {
: lapor organizations from the penaltie
OF the Sherman Ier =
: for next session. The Republican ms
1ority OF the house gave several cor
ferences to legislative proeramm
concerning the former and final]
agreed by small majority, not