Albuquerque morning journal. [volume] (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1903-1926, 1910-06-25
Legislative Achievements OF
Session Now Closing Record
Seldom If Ever Equalled In
Annals of Government.
TAFT SPONSOR OF MANY
IMPORTANT MEASURES
Railroad Law, Postal Banks,
Statehood, Land Withdrawal
Authorization, Naval Increase
and Tariff Board Among the
Presidents Triumphs.
uy Morning Journal Special Leased wireI

IBy Morning journal Special Leased wlreI
Washington, june 24.--Notwith-
standing the fact that action ON many
important measures was delayed by
conflicts between "insnrgent and
regular republican factions in borh
branches and that the democratic mi-
nority was an active force. congress
is expected to conclude It's long ses-
sion tomorrow with a record for leg
islation that seldom. If ever, has been
equalled.
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-
ton for which the administration
contended were the following:
Striking revision of the railroad laws
including the creation of a commerce
court.
Admitting Arizona and New Mex
leo as scperate states.
Authorizing the establishment Of
postal savings banks.
Giving 70 the pres aenf unlimited
authority to Withdraw 8aeiic lands Tor
conservation purposes.
Providing for publicity Of campaign
contributions
Authorizing the issue of $4,000, 600
in certificates of Indebtedness to COM
plete reclamation projects.
Creating n bureau of mines
Extending the activities OF the tar
iff board and appropriating $250.00e
for its use.
Looking to the suppression of the
white slave" traffic.
Creating a commission to consider
economies in the administration of
the federal government
Authorizing the entry Of surface Of
coal lands.
Providing tariff system for the
Philippines.
Legislation that Ultimately is ex-
,pected to give prohibition to the Ha-
Waiian islands.
Opposed to the foregoing formid-
able list Of legislation obtained was a
comparatively small number of meas
ures that had had administration sup
port but failed of passage. They were
measures on the subjects Of ship sub
sidy, anti injunction. for new forms
of government in Alaska, and on the
Panama canal zone, a bureau of
health. increased postage rates for
second-class mail matter, the Appa @
lachian forest reserve and to increase
the engineering corps Of 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 organ
iza tion of which he was the natural
leader.
The speaker was removed from the
committee on rules, which he had pre-
viously been credited with dominat-
Ong, ana q new rule was adopted for
the purpose of preventing the pigeon
holing of bills by committees when
they were approved by a majority Of
the house,
The enormous demand for legisla
tion pressed upon congress Is shown
by the fact that since the beginning
of the present congress q, 900 bills
have been introduced in the house
and 5000 i'm the senate in addition
to hundreds of resolutions. This rec
ord, rs far as the number Of bills is
concerned, is without a parcllel
More time was consumed in consid-
oring the railroad bill than was taken
by al other subjects of legislation.
This measure not only creates a com
merce court. but embodies authority
for "A commission to inquire into stock
and bond issues Of railroads, extends
the provisions of the interstate com
merce act to telegraph and telephone