The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1908-05-24

WASHINGTON, May %. - A re-
sumo OF the present session OF Con-
gress elicitS the interesting fact that
there we're more important questions
presented to and discussed by Con-
grcsS on which the public generally or
sections or classes demanded action
than ever before in its history. A ma.
jority OF these were OF President
Rooseyclt's making. Comparatively,
the enactments we're few. On the
other hand the aggregate Of appro-
priations was great and when the final
figures are obtainable is not no
doubted that they will exceed those
OF any previous session in times OF
peace.
Standing conspicuously above all
other questions with which Congress
dealt was the effort tc pass an cmer-
gency currency bill Thrust upon the
attention Of legislators at the opening
OF the session by financial depres-
sion that had not fully subsided, it
was the first big question to be con-
sidercd, likewise il was the hardest
TO meet and did more to delay ad-
journment than any other measure.
The Senate and House failed to
agree with the result that a commit
tee OF senators and representatives in
Congress whose duty 1t is to study the
scheme and report at the next session
was the alternative adopted.
Numerous bills affecting labor we're
introduced but were OF such a char
acter that organized labor was not
heartily behind them and questions
concerning the constitutionality OF
many OF the measures, in the light of
recent decisions by the supreme court
of the United States raised others.
II is conceded that more legislation
would have resulted had it have been
for the pending elections This plac-
ed the majority in delicate situa-
ton, fact not overlooked by the
democrats in the house who further
complicated the Republicans position
by a filibuster to compel the passage
OF measures demanded by President
Roosevelt and opposed by a majority
OF the Republicans in both branches
Of Congress.
There was also enacted new en-
ploycrs' liability law, replacing the
one declared unconstitutional by the
supreme court and another is pend
ing providing for the compensation of
employees in hazardous
occupations who are injured in line
OF duty Other matters of equal or
greater importance to organized la
Dor also failed
These include an anti-injunction
provision for the exemption OF or
ganized labor from the treble pen
atty clause of the Sherman antitrust
law and other amendments to relieve
the labor unions from the operations
Of this law.
The construction of four battle.
ships was urged in special message
to Congress and fight for this pro,
gram was led by administration mem
bers of both the Senate and the House
which contest resulted in failure. An
appropriation was made for the con-
struction of two batleships and the |
policy of authorizing two each year
was announced by Republican lead
ers, which was generally regarded as
4 concession to the presidents big
naval program, Authority to name "a |
.ariff commission and to appoint ex-
oerts to gather data with a view to |
he revision of the tariff at the next
session was strongly advocated. As
result resolutions were adopted in
he Senate authorizing the committe
IN ways and means to conduct indi-
tidnal inMns ti rntions an tnr;H rn,,;n