Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1912-12-29
IMPORTANT LEGISLATION

The long session Of Congress, which
adjourned August &c, was the first since
the administration Of Cleveland in which
either Of the three branches Of the gov
eminent had been different from the
others in political complexion. Mr.. Tafts
experience in trying to drive in double
harness team composed Of a republic
can Senate and a democratic House was
not unlike that of Mr.. Cleveland during
the last two years of his second ad-
ministration. For the latter half of his
term. Mr.. Taft had to deal with House
overwhelmingly hostile to his political
faith. Such a situation has always re-
suited in complication for the executive
and as an indication of coming politi-
cal revolution
Despite these political and other handi-
caps. the long session really accomplished
an unusual amount of legislation. some
of 1T important Much Of the new legisla-
ton was combined with appropriation
bills. The parcel post legislation was
made part of the post office appropria-
ton bill. By this experimental measure
any article not likely to do harm in the
weight and not exceeding seventy-two
inches in combined length and girth is
mailable.
Panama Canal Tolls.
Another piece of legislation of an ex-
tensive and highly important nature was
the Panama canal measure, with several
riders of the greatest significance. By
1T the President may fix tolls and charge
them at his discretion. The Senate
adopted a provision permitting toll-free
transportation to all American business,
foreign or domestic. This was met by
such storm of protest both at home and
abroad that finally the free-toll provision
was restricted to American coastwise
shipping. Another important provision
written into this bill gives the Interstate
commerce commission general authority
over relations of rail and water carriers,
even to the extent of shutting out of the
canal all lines financially affiliated with
railroads If such utilization conflicts with
commercial freedom. This provision ex-
tends to all relationship between rail and
water carriers. including the great lakes.
Still another very important clause in the
bill permits free registry of foreign-built
ships under the American flag and tariff
free admittance of ship-building materials.
Laws to Benefit Labor.
The session was unusually productive
of laws for the benefit of labor. One
measure extends the old eight-hour act
governing government work, and makes
the eight-hour day apply to all work
direct result of the dynamite outrages at
Los Angeles and elsewhere a bill was
passed which provided for commission
to investigate general industrial condi
tons. The children's bureau measure
provided for permanent bureau which
shall investigate problems of child life
education, employment, wages, working
hours, sanitary and moral conditions, etc.
Miss Julia Lathrop was appointed head
of the bureau by President Taft The bill
for the creation of a Department of La
Dor, to be represented in the presidential
family by a cabinet officer, passed the
House.
After long years of wrangling and irri-
tsting delay. joint resolution submit
ting to the states a constitutional amend
ment providing for the direct election of
senators has been passed. and 1t will
come before the legislatures of a large
majority of the states during the present
winter. In order to become effective 1t
will have to be ratified by three-fourths
of these. Thus far, only two states, Mas
sachusetts and Minnesota, have acted on
the amendment The long and bitter fight
against William Lorimer's right to his
seat as senator from Illinois was
brought to close by his exclusion by al
most tWo-thirds vote. The attempt to-
exclude Senator Isaac Stephenson of Wis
consin on the ground that he had bought
his nomination and election failed. Febru-
airy ii President Taft signed the procla-
IIldtlOu ADMITTING Arizona as the FORTY
eighth state of the Union. February 10
the United States Supreme Court decided
that the constitutionality of the initiative
and referendum is a political question for
Congress to settle and not judicial one
for the courts.
Investigation of the Trusts.
Although federal activity in the investi-
cation of the trusts has been continued
the year, much of the dash
and vigor of the earlier prosecutions has
been wanting, and few sensational devel-
opments have been brought to light. Early
in January Attorney General Wickersham
announced that he would make an effort
to dissolve the harvester trust but it was
not until April q that. by order of Presi-
dent Taft, suit was brought against the
company in the district court of Minneso-
ta No decision has been reached in the
case. In March the governments suit
against the sugar trust was begun in New
Y ork, and about the same time the Attor-
ney General asked the United States SUI
preme Court to dissolve the merger of the