The Bemidji daily pioneer., 1910-06-27
FEW IMPORT Ant
LAWS ENACTED
Record Of Congress During
Present Session.
FRICTION DELAYS ACTION

Despite Conflicts Between Regulars
and Prosresslves Much Of the
Administrations Legislative Pro.
oramme Was Carried out-Reform
Of House Methods One Of the Con.
spicuous Acts Of the Session.
Washington. June 27.-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 its long ses.
sion with record for enacting legis.
lation that seldom, II 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-
ticn for which the administration con-
tended were the following:
Striking revision of the railroad
laws, including the creation of a COM
merce court. =,
Admitting Arizona and New Mexico
as separate states. ,..,.~
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 $2O,OOO.OOO
in certificates of Indebtedness to COM
plete reclamation projects.
Creating a bureau of mines.
Extending the activities of the tar
If board and appropriating $25O,000
for its use.
Looking to the suppression of traffic
In white slaves"
Authorizing the entry of the surface
Of coal lands. >
Creating a commission to consider
economics in the administration of the
federal government
Providing 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 a
comparatively small number of meas
ures which had administration SYM
pathy, but failed of passage. They
were measures on the subjects of ship
subsidy, anti-injunction, for new forms
of government in Alaska and on the
Panama canal zone; to create a bu-
reau of health; to provide Increased
rates of postage for second class mail
matter; to create the Appalachian
forest reserve, and increase the engi-
neer corps of the army.
Not the least conspicuous acts of
congress were the strenuous measures
taken by the house of representatives
to reform it's system of conducting
business.so that less power might be
reposed in the speaker and the or
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 by majority of the house,
regardless of party aff1liation.
The enormous proportions of the de-.
mands for legislation which are press
cd upon congress is shown by the fact
that since the beginning of the pres
ent congress more than 27,OOO bills
have been introduced in the house
and more than 5000 in the senate, in
addition to hundreds of resolutions on
various subjects. This record, so far
as the number of bills is concerned,
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 ahoat, were