Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-08-12
Many Important Political
Issues Fought Out Dur
ing Sitting.
BUT NEW LAWS ARE FEW
Members Join in Move to Rush
Work and Permit Early
Adjournment.

Washington, Aug. 12.-Tne senate
resumed debate Of the postofnce ap-
preparation bill, the good roads sec
ton being elimineted and provision
made for q commission TO inquire into
federal aid in highway construction.
Without debate the senate adopted
the Bourne Bristow parcels post plan
as a substitute for the house parcels
provision in the postofice bill The
Bourne-Bristow plan would divide the
country into eight zones. Within 90
mile radius the rate would be ) cents
for the first pound and cents for each
additional pound Of fourth.class mat
ter.
graduated rate 70 cover the other
zones would increase 70 II cents
pound In the eighth zone, covering
points more than 1900 miles apart
The. house provision outlined a
straight 12-cent rate on parcels weigh
ing up TO II pounds.
Under agreement for a five hours
debate the house took up the election
case OF Representative Catlin of ST.
Louis, whose unseating was recon-
mended by a majority Of the elections
committee. A minority report was
made in his favor.
Washington. d. C., Aug. 12.-Con-
gress soon will end session that has
run over $50 days. Since the organi-
cation OF the government there have
been but seven continuous sessions OF
greater length. Measured by the stan
dard OF new laws enacted this one
has not been fruitful of much general
legislation. but from the standpoint OF
great issues fought out and great pol
icies outlined it has been of more
than usual interest.
Political activities have helped to
prolong IL, and political differences
between the house and senate, the
one democratic and the other control
led by an independent element of the
republican party, have served 10 tie
up appropriation bills and impede the
progress of much general legislation.
Many big annual appropriation bills
that should have become effective
July l still are at issue between the
two houses. Minor legislation and sew
eral important questions are TO be laid
aside in an effort 10 bring about ad-
journment by next Saturday, or at the
latest by the end OF the following
week.
DEVELOPMENTS OF SESSION.
The more important developments
that have marked the session are:
The decision Of the senate that VIII
liam Lorimer had not been a legally
elected senator from Illinois.
Impeachment proceedings against
Judge Robert w. Archb bald OF the COM
merce court.
Abrogation OF the Russian treaty.
Substantial defeat by amendment OF
President Tafts arbitration treaties
with Great Britain and France.
Notice by the senate to foreign ma
tions that the United States will per
init none TO acquire naval or military
sites in the western hemisphere.
Approval of a constitutional amend
ment for direct election OF senators.
Decision OF both houses in favor OF
free passage for American ships at
Panama
Admission Of New Mexico and Arl
Eona 10 statehood
Creation OF a children'S bureau IN
the department Of commerce and la.
Dor.
Increase Of civil war pensions
through the Sherwood service pension
law
NEW LEGISLATION ENACTED.
Some Of the important news laws
that have resulted from the work OF
the session are;
Adjustment, by high taxation. OF
the manufacture of white phosphorus
matches.
Eight hour federal labor law.
Prohibition against expectation oi
arms, coal. or supplies TO insurrection
lists in other countries.
Granting commissions as ensigns &c
midshipmen on graduation from An
napois naval academy.
Authorizing the separate sale of Chc
surface Of coal and asphalt lands be
longing TO the Choctaw and ChickasaW
Indians
Granting authority to the govern
ment for official use OF the American
Red Cross organization in time OF war
Barring prize fight picture flint
from transportation If they are to b
used for public exhibition.
Authorizing new census reports OF
tobacco production and cotton gin
ning, and new agricultural department
reports on cotton production.
keQulring that wireless nnaratnrr b.