Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-06-25


many important measures was delayed
by conflicts between "Insurgent' ant
Regular" Republican factions in boil
branches, and that the Democratic mi
nOrity was an active force. Congress is
expected to conclude it's long session
tomorrow with a record for enactine
legislation that seldom, if ever, has
been equalled.
In the matter of reform move
ments for which President Taft stood
sponsor there We're many instances of
success. Chief in the list of legislation
for which the administration contend
ed We're:
Striking revision of the railroad
laws, including the creation of a com
merce court.
as separate states.
Authorizing the establishment of
postal savings banks.
Giving to the people unlimited au-
thcrity to withdraw public lands for
conservation purposes.
Providing for publicity of campaign
contributions. Creating a bureau of
mines.
Authorizing the issue of $2O,00O,00o In
certificates of Indebtedness to com
plete reclamation projects.
Extending the activities of the tariff
hoard and appropriating $25O. 900 for its
Sc.
Looking to the suppression of traf-
fe in white slaves"
Authorizing the entry of the surface
of coal lands
Creating a commission to consider
economies i'll the administration of the
federal government.
Providing new tariff system for
the Philippine islands.
Legislation which, ultimately is eX-
pected to give practical prohibition to
tho Hawaiian islands.
Opposed to the foregoing formidable
list of legislation obtained were Il
comparatively small number of meas
ure$ on the subjects of ship subsidy.
anti injunction for new forms Of gov
ernment in Alaska and the Panama
canal zone: to create q bureau or
health; to provide increased rates Of
postage FOR second class mail matter;
to create the Appalachian forest re-
serve and increase the engineer corps
of the army.
Not the least conspicuous acts of
Congress were the strenuous meas
ures taken by the House of Represen-
tatives to reform it's system of con-
Quoting business so that less power
might be reposed in the Speaker and
the organization of WHICH he was the
natural leader.
The Speaker was removed from the
committee on rules, which he had
previously been credited with domi-
mating, and a new rule was adopted
for the purpose Of effectually prevent
ing pigeon holing of bills by commit
tees when they were approved by a
majority of the House. regardless of
party affiliations.
The enormous proportions OF the de-
mand for legislation which are pressed
upon Congress is shown by the fact
that since the beginning of the pres
ent Congress more than $1,000 bllls
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 concern
ed, is without a parallel
More time was consumed in consid-
ering the railroad bill than was taken
by all other subjects Of legislation,
This measure not only creates com
merce court, but it embodies authority
for a commission to inuuire into stock
and bond issues of railroads. extends
the provisions of the Interstate Com
al nh, toll Nl,nrl 20
companies and gives to the Interstate
Commerce Commission power to post
pone increases III rates until the com
mission shall have found the proposed
increases to be reasonable.
An act also was passed to compel
railroads to furnish to the Interstate
Commerce Commission reports on ac-
cidents so that Congress may be bet
ter informed as to the need of further
legislation.
Under the withdrawal act the President
was given almost unlimited power TO
withhold lands from settlement and 10
conserve the water power. On the other
hand. the act providing for the agricul-
tural entry of the surface of coal lands
will open to settlement at least 6O.OOO.VU
acres and at the same time reserve to the
government the right to the coal Open
ing of portion of the Pine Ridge and
the Rosebud Indian reservation In South
Dakota and the Fort Berthold reservation
in North Dakota will make more than
100000 acres of agricultural lands avail
able for homestead settlements. The sum
Of $4,000 was appropriated for the gaug-
ing of streams with view to the pres
ervation of the water supply. These con-
servation measures are declared to be far
reaching. The increase provided for the
navy was notable. Two battleships of
1900 tons, each armed with finch guns,
making them the most formidable Dread
noughts afioat, were authorized. The
naval strength of the United States will
be further supplemented by six torpedo