Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-08-23

Washington, Aug. 23.-Taft late to-
day signed the new legislative, execu-
tive and judicial bill.
Washington, Aug. 2S.-With a ce-
lerity that hitherto has not marked
the session, congress yesterday rush
ed toward completion four great sup
ply bills and tonight looks forward
confidently 10 adjournment on Satur-
day. Conferees on the suudry civil.
Indian, army and post office appropri-
alton measures reached agreements
on those bills. The legislative, Indian
and sundry civil measures we're passed
by the senate and the general dsfici-
enCy bill. the last of the big supply
measures to be taken up, was reported
in the senate and the ways creased for
its consideration.
The house took no action on appro-
priation legislation, futher than to on
der all of the conference reports
printed in the record so that prompt
action could be had today Unlike
the senate's quick report, by which
the three bills passed were rushed
| through in less than 10 minutes. the
house expected to develop sharp clash
es on both the sundry civil and the
Indian bills when they are reported.
MAY CLEAR DOCKET TODAY.
Leaders on both sides, however, did
not regard these difficulties last night
as being unreconcilable and before ad-
/ journment tonight, it is believed the
legislative dockets will be compare
lively cleared. A fight developed in
the senate on the army bill, over the
proposed seven year term of enlist
ment. The army measure and the
postoftice appropriation bill were final
ly carried over until tomorrow's ses-
sion.
Radical changes in the postal SER
vice were provided for by the house
and senate cOnferees on the postof-
flee bill. The Bourne parcel post sys-
TEN was adopted for the present, in
cluding the Oregon senator's ideas as
to zones, distances and rates. The
postmaster general, however, was en-
powered, with the consent of the inter
state commerce commission, to change
the rate zones and articles admitted
TO the post at any time. A joint COM
mittee of six was authorized to study
the working of the system.
ADOPT GOOD ROAD PROVISION.
The Simmons good roads provision
was adopted. This appropriate $780,
900 tor experimental and road CON
struction, with a joint committee to
study the proposition.
The senate provision, requiring the
newspapers 10 publish semi-annuaIIy n
list OF stockholders, was adopted. and
another provision added to require ey-
cry daily newspaper to print a state.
ment of its average daily circulation.
The senate eight hour, provision was
agreed to, together with the clause
for the payment for overtime work in
cash. The senate amendment to allow
employees to join associations was
adopted. The provision authorizing a
transfer of employees from one service
, to another was stricken out of the
bill
BLU TAG SYSTEM UNDISTURBED.
eTence to the blue tag" system of
transporting second class mail except
a clause prohibiting the extension of
the system and another authorizing a
Joint committee to Investigate the sub
Ject in conjunction with a study of
compensation OF railways for carry
ing mail A maximum salary OF 800
per month was fixed for rural carriers
Under virtual notice from President
TAFT that he would again veto the
army bin if jt contained any riders"
affecting the tenure Of Office Of Gen
eral Wood. chief Of staff, the house
and senate conferees today struck
from the bill q contemplated provision
to that effect and presented a report
: free from the features upon which the
president based his first veto.
The provision Of the house for a five
b year enlistment Was modified to sur.
viye seven year term, four years IT
. which shall be active GGrvice and three
% years reEcrve All the army posts
: would be retained as they now exist
= The house receded from its attempt tc
) reduce the cavalry strength 70 five
. regiments.
I Action REGARDED by members as dec
laTation OF democratic policy with re
5 Iation 10 water power legislation WI
r taken by the members yesterday wher
Haicrity Leader Underwood cham
pioned bill granting a power com
pany the right 10 dam the Soosa river
t IN Alabama The bill was passed by
I tire house - 10 81. Sixteen members
voted present"