Evening bulletin. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1895-1912, 1908-06-20
There Was Much Done
Despite the Idea To
Contrary
GREAT APPROPRIATIONS
and MUCH new WORK
Detail Of What Was Done and What
Left Over - The Publicity
Bill Got Left

"do-nothing" Congress is, on the face
OF 1t, far from bearing out the sobri
quet. In one respect at least thu
first session Of the Goth Congress has
made a recordt-in appropriatine
crosses in times Of peace. The grand
total of appropriations is $1.O0S..
S04,894. including provisions fol-
higher pay In the Army and Navy
and establishing an immigrant sta.
ton ut Philadelphia at cost OF
S250,000. This appropriation total
includes also items for the construc-
tlon OF two giant war vessels and
several smaller craft
Some of the measures demanded by
the President went through, includ-
ing the currency law, which prolong,
cd the session. and the employers liza
billty law, designed to meet the OBJ
lection of the Supreme Court.
In the House there was also the
arduous work OF conducting an inves-
tigation into the print paper and
out thoroughly ut hearings extend
ing over two months the charges
brought by Representative Lilley
against the Naval Committee.
The Senate balanced this work
with II ratification of man, treaties,
including IL Hague conventions and
12 arbitration conventions. A treaty
with Great Britain settled the vexed
question of Canadian boundary.
The President contributed his
share ia the deliberations of Con-
gress In the shape of 90 messages. 4
of which were special communlca-
lions advocating the passage of some
particular legislation.
Among the important Legislative
acts may be enumerated the follow
ing laws:
Important Lawn Enacted
Financial law whereby banks In
periods OF financial stringency may
issue currency to the. amount OF
100000 900. depositing hs security
therefor .bonds, commercial paper or
other assets. such emergency curren-
cy being SO taxed as to insure Its re.
tirement as soon as the stringency
has passed.
Customs law changed 80 that i'm
porters must present all evidence IN
appeal before board OF appraisers.
simplifying procedure, increasing APP
praisers' salaries and making them
removable only for cause.
Militia made integral part of the
national military establishment, with
additional appropriation of $4,000
600 for equipment, etc. making total
annual appropriation for militia of
$5.OOO,OOO.
Public buildings bill, authorizing
many needed structures. purchase OF
sites, etc, including site for Depart
ments of State and Commerce and
Labor. adjoining Treasury and White
House grounds.
National monetary commission
created to devise a sound monetary
system for the Government. - ,i,
Two new battleships at cost Of &c..
100000 each, exclusive of armor and
armament; ten torpedo boat destroy.
ers. three steam GOLFERS and eight
submarines.
Consular service recognized, abol-
ishing unnecessary consulships ana
consul generalships and establishing
those most needed.
Widows pensions increased from
IS to $l2 month and certain un-
necessary restrictions abolished.
Importation of impure tea, tea
siftings, ETC.. prohibited.
In God We Trust restored to
gold and silver coins.
Investigation of tariff, preliminary
to revision. confined to Ways and
Means and Finance Committees.
Model child labor law for District
of Columbia. H.
Employers liability bill enacted to
replace that pronounced unconstitu.
tional by Supreme Court.
Government liability law, provid.
Ing compensation 10 all Federal EN-.
ployes for injuries received in line Of
duty.
Additional safeguards provided for
regattas,
Provision for fortified naval base
at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. for Hawai-.
ian drydock and the completion of
coaling stations at San Diego and
California City Point.
Efficiency of army medical corps
increased by additional officers and
creation Of reserve medical corps.
Game In Alaska protected.
Increasing army pay. officers APP
proximately $500 year each and
enlisted men about 40 per cent, in