Audubon Republican. [volume] (Audubon, Iowa) 1894-1925, 1908-09-17
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 S500,000,-
600, depositing as security therefor.
bonds, commercial paper or other as
sets, such emergency currency being so
taxed as to insure its 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 sound monetary sys-
TEN for the government.
Two new battleships, at cost of
S6,O00,00O each, exclusive of armor
and armament; ten torpedo boat de-
stroyers, three steam GOLFERS and
eight submarines.
Consular service reorganized, abol-
sizing unnecessary consulships and con-
sui generalships, and establishing those
most needed.
Widows pensions increased from So
to $12 a 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
imately $500 a year and enlisted men
about forty per cent increase, applying
to both retired and active lists.
Increasing navy pay. officers and en-
listed men practically equalized witt
army. Enlisted force increased 6,OO(
men.
Restrictions on land Of the five civil
ICED tribes removed. adding $150,0O0,
900 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 S15OO,OOO for representa-
ton of the United States at the Toxic
Exposition.
Prohibiting dissertation and improp
er use of the flag.
Appropriation of S29,227 900 for thu
Panama Canal.
Anarchistic and seditious pubica
lions and intoxicants and cocaine eX
cluded from the mails.
Secretary of War authorized to ex
pend S25O,OO0 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 70
the transportation by common carrier
of explosives. to promote the safety o
passengers and employees.
Railroads engaged in interstate com
merce prohibited after January l, 1910
from using any locomotive equipped
with an ashpan which uecessitates an,
employee getting under the engine.
Sixty-two laws authorizing construc
tion of bridges over navigabIe streams
Five laws authorizing construction 0
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 publ
lands, making special grants, etc.
Seven laws for the District Of Colum
bia, including prohibition Of all bettin
within the District, and providing TO
free examination of sputum in suspect
ed cases Of tuberculosis.
Investigation of wood pulp industry
House committee reported no warran
for altering tariff at this time and n
conclusive evidence of a trust, but sui
ficient ground for further investigation
One hundred and fifty-two publ
laws were enacted.
There were $500 invalid pension act
and about 700 private pension acts.
Bills introduced in House over %
600; in Senate, over 1000.