The Colorado statesman., 1912-08-31
CONGRESS ENDS
LONG SESSION
MANY NEW LAWS ENACTED
DURING 266-DAY
SESSION..
TARIFF BOARD "K|LLED''
INCREASED PENSIONS FOR CIVIL
WAR VETERANS BY SERVICE
PENSION LAW.

hington.-Congress has closed
another billion dollar session, but the
exact total of the nations cost Of liv.
ing" varies as it is seen through Re-
publican and Democratic eyes.
The total appropriations for the fis-
cal year 1918, which began July 1,
1912, amount to $1,019, 6,143.66. 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 S7,046,000 less than
the nations budget of 1912, but it 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 gen.
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 total
of 1881, ,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 Chickasaw 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, if they are to be
used 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 ocean-going ves-
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 Dreadnaught to be the largest
ever constructed.
Sundry civil act carrying provision
Army reorganization, with provision
for seven-year enlistments.
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 children's bureau in de-
partment of commerce and labor.
Increase of pension of Civil war vet
Grams through the enactment of SER
vice pension law.
Other Features.
Among other important features of
the session were the following:
The decision of the Senate that Will
liam Lorimer had not been legally
elected senator from Illinois.
The beginning of Impeachment pro-
ceedings against Judge Robert w.
Archibald of the Commerce Court.
Abrogation of the Russian treaty,
following the agitation in Congress
over the Jewish passport question.
Substantial defeat by amendment of
President Taft's arbitration treaties
with Great Britain and France.
Notice by the Senate to foreign ma
tions that the United States will per
nit none to acquire naval or military
sites in the Western hemisphere.
Approval of a constitutional amend
ment for direct election of senators.