Morris tribune., 1910-07-01
MUCH WORK DONE
Record Of Congress During the
Long Session
FEW FALL BY THE WAYSIDE
Majority Of Administration Meas
ures Are Approved.

Washington, June 26.-NotWith-
standing the fact that action on many
important measures was delayed by
conflicts between progressive and reg
ular Republican factions in both
branches, and that the Democratic mi
nority was an active force, congress
is expected to conclude it's long ses-
sion with record for enacting legis.
Eation that seldom, if ever, has been
equaled.
In the matter of reform" move
ments for which President Taft stood
sponsor there were many instances of
success. Chief in the list of legisla-
tion for which the administration con-
tended were the following:
Striking revision of the railroad
laws, including the creation of COM
merce court.
Admitting Arizona and New Mexico
as separate states. a.
Authorizing the establishment of
postal savings banks.
Giving to the president unlimited au-
thority to withdraw public lands for
conservation purposes.
Providing for publicity of campaign
contributions.
Authorizing the issue of $20,000,000
in certificates of Indebtedness to COM
plete reclamation projects.
Creating a bureau of mines.
90
iff board and appropriating $250,000
for it's use.
Looking to the suppression of traffic
in white slaves"
Authorizir the entry of the surface
of coal lands
Creating a commission to consider
economics in the administration of the
federal government.
Providing a new tariff system for
the Philippine islands.
Legislation which ultimately is ex-
pected practically to give prohibition
to the Hawaiian islands.
Few Failed of Passage.
Opposed to the foregoing formidable
list of legislation obtained were
comparatively small number of meas
ures which mad administration sym
pathy, but lied Of passage. They
were measu1 5 on the subjects of ship
subsidy, anti njunction, for new forms
of goyernma [ in Alaska and on the
Panama car Il zone; to create a bu-
reau of hea h; to provide increased
rates of pos ge for second class mail
matter; to create the Appalachian
forest reser 2, and increase the engi-
neer corps o. the army.
Not the least conspicuous acts of
congress were the strenuous measures
taken by the house Of representatives
to reform its system of conducting
business so that less power might be
reposed in the speaker and the or
ganization of which he is the natural
leader.
The speaker was removed from the
committee on rules, which he had pre-
viously been credited with dominating,
and new rule was adopted for the
purpose Of preventing pigeonholing of
bills by committees when they were
approved Dy q majority or the mouse,
regardless of party affiliation.
The enormous proportions of the de-
mands for lef islation which are press
ed upon cong less is shown by the fact
that since tha beginning of the pres
ent congress more than $4,000 bills
have been introduced in the house
and more thar 5000 in the senate, in
addition to hundreds of resolutions on
various subjects. This record, so far
as the number of bills is concerned,
j is without a parallel.
The increase provided for the navy
was notable. Two battleships of 21,-
900 tons each, armed with fourteen
inch guns, making them the most
formidable dreadnaughts at1oat, were
authorized