The state herald., 1912-09-06
CONGRESS ENDS
LONG SESSION
MANY NEW LAWS ENACTED
DURING 266.DAY
SESSION.
TARIFF BOARD KILLED"
INCREASED PENSIONS FOR CIVIL
WAR VETERANS BY SERVICE
PENSION LAW.

Observation-Disclosures has closed
another billion dollar session, but the
exact total of the nations cost of liv-
ing varies as 1t is seen through Re.
publican and Democratic eyes.
The total appropriations for the fis.
cal year 1913, which began July /.
1912, amount to $1,0l9,636, 1886, as
given to the Senate and House by Sen
ator Warren and Representative Fitz-
gerald, respectively chairmen of the
two appropriation committees.
1t is conceded by both of these lead
ers that this is S7,O46,O0O less than
the nations budget of 1912, but 1t re-
mained for former Speaker Cannon, in
behalf of the Republican forces of the
House, to produce figures to show that
the present Democratic Congress had
actually appropriated more for general
purposes than did the preceding Re-
publican Congress. Representative
Cannon declared that out of the gem
eral total should be taken all expendi-
lures made for the Panama canal.
With such deductions, he said, the to-
tai appropriations for 1913 would be
1890, ,656,143, as compared with a total
of 1891 .122.SS1 appropriated for gen.
eral purposes last year.
Important Bills Passed.
Among the more important laws en-
acted during the session are the fol-
lowing:
Adjustment by high taxation of the
manufacture of white phosphorus
matches.
Eight-hour federal labor law.
Prohibition against expectation Of
arms, coal or supplies to insurrection-
lists in other countries.
Granting commissions as ensigns to
midshipmen on graduation from An.
napolis naval academy.
Authorizing the separate sale OF the
surface coal and asphalt lands belong
Ing to the Choctaw and Chlokasaw In
dians.
Granting authority to the govern
ment for official use OF the American
Red Cross organization in time OF war.
Barring prize fight picture films
from transportation, II they are to be
ussV for public exhibition.
Authorizing new census reports on
tobacco production and cotton ginning
and new agricultural reports on cotton
production.
Requiring that wireless operators be
constantly on duty on ooean.going yes.
sells.
Establishing a standard barrel and
grade for apples.
Encouraging invention and original
research In the agricultural and army
ordnance divisions by giving cash re.
wards to employees.
Equipment OF army transports with
adequate life saving apparatus.
Uniform wireless law to prevent In
reference by amateurs.
Naval appropriation act carrying
provision for one battleship instead OF
two demanded by the administration.
the new Droadnnught TO be the largest
ever constructed.
sundry civil act carrying provision
for the abolition OF the tariff board.
Army reorganization. with provision
for seyonyear enllHlments.
Act providing for administration OF
Panama canal, for exemption from
tolls OF vessels engaged In the coast.
wise trade. and providing for the di.
vorce OF railroad and water transporta.
ton interests.
Creation Of childron's bureau In dc.
partment Of commerce and labor.
Increase OF pension Of Ciyil war vet.
Grams through the enactment OF u ser.
vice pension law.
Other Features.
Among other important features OF
the session were the following:
The decision 81 the senate that VIII
liam Lorimor had not been legally
elected senator from Illinois.
The beginning OF Impeachment. pro-
cccdlnga against Judge Robert W.
Archibald Of the Commerce Court
Ahroraiion OF the Russian treaty.
following the agitation In Congress
over the Jewish passport question.
Substantial defeat ~ amendment Of
President Taft'n arbitration treaties
With Great britain aud France.
Notice by the Senate 10 foreign ma.
tiona that the United States viii per,
NIT none 10 acquire naval or military
sites IN the Western hemisphere.
Approval of o constitutional amend,