The Hawaiian star., 1910-07-14
Washington Starr

This is the record claimed for the
first regular session of the Sixty-first
Congress now ended. The claim is
based upon the number or important
laws placed upon the statute books
and the far-reaching effect of many
of them.
An important feature of the ses-
sion's work, which will nave profound
significance upon future legislation
was the change in the procedure in
the house Of representatives thought
by some to be the entering wedge of
greater changes yet to come in legls-
lative methods.
AS a side issue, so to speak, of the
session, with possible important bear
ing on political conditions in the re-
publican party, was the development
within the party of a spirit of inde-
pendence, pronounced by some to be
insurgency" and claimed by others
to be 'progressiveness," and which
to a certain extent coIored legislation.
Important Railroad Legislation.
The most important law enacted at
this session was the amendment to
the interstate commerce law, affecting
common carriers. That act created a
commerce court to adjudicate differ
ences between the railroads and ship
pers; compelled railroads to secure
the assent of the interstate commerce
commission to proposed increases in
freight rates; granted the commission
enlarged authority over classifcations
and regulations; authorized the COM
mission to institute proceedings
against railroads without waiting for
complaints by shippers; brought tele
phone and telegraph companies under
the commission, and in number of
ways increased the control of the fed
eraI government over the railroads.
Looking to the future was provi-
sion in that act providing for inves-
tigation of capitalization of railroads,
so as to give. information upon which
possible legislation can be based to
prevent the watering of stocks of com
mon carriers.
The second most important new law
was the creation of the postal savings
bank system in this country copy
ing the systems in vogue in some
foreign countries, the ann of which
is to encourage savings of small sums
by the people and intrusting them TO
the government, which in turn de-
posits the savings in banks for gen
eral use in trade and industry.
The admission to statehood of two
territories, Arizona and New Mexico,
was authorized.
The demand for conservation of pub
Tic lands was met by authority grant
ed the President to withdraw from
public entry valuable mineral and for
est lands, and prevent monopolies
gaining control of natural resources.
In the same line was authorization
of an issue of $2O,OOO,OOO bonds for re-
clamation purposes.
The Tariff Coard.
Authority and means were given the
tariff board to investigate the differ
ence between the cost of production
here and abroad looking to possible
changes in the tariff on imported arti-
cles to meet altered conditions.
Authorization of reorganization of
the Navy Department and it's bureaus
to secure greater efficiency.
A progressive program ror the up
building of the navy was authorized,
directing the immediate construction
of two $4,000 battleship, and a
number of smaller vessels.
The lighthouse board was reorgan-
ized along lines of modern admins
trative policy.
A bureau of mines was created, de-
signed to minimize dangers to mine
NlliBlOJCos
A law was enacted broadening the
requirement of the use of safety ap-
pliances on railroads,
The white slave" traffic was pen
allied and drastic regulations provid-
ed to suppress it.
The President was authorized to pa
role federal prisoners whose conduct
warrants clemency
A system of licenses for customs
brokers was provided.
immigration of aliens was further
restricted.
The seal fisheries or Alaska were