Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1912-08-15
congress SOON TO
end This Session
has RUN MORE Than $50
DAYS and MEMBERS ARE
DUE A VACATION.
Many important Laws Passed-Many
Annual Appropriation Bills Still at
lssue-Ciashes Between Democratic
House and Senate Controlled by Re-
publican Faction.

Washington.-Cong is about to
terminate a session that has run more
than $50 days. The session has not
been fruitful of much general legisla-
ton, but from the standpoint of great
issues fought out and great policies
outlined it has been of more than
usual interest.
Political activities have helped to
prolong it, and political differences
between the house and the senate, the
one democratic and the other con-
trolled by an Independent element Of
the republican party, have served to
tie up appropriation bills and impede
much general legislation.
Many annual appropriation bills that
should have become effective July l
still are at issue between the two
houses. Minor legislation and impor-
tant questions of general interest are
to be laid aside in an effort to bring
about adjournment by next Saturday,
or at the latest by the end Of the next
week.
Doings of Congress.
The important developments that
have marked the session are:
The decision Of the senate that Will
liam Lorimer had not legally been
elected senator from Illinois.
The beginning of impeachment pro.
ceedings against Judge Robert W.
Archibald of the commerce court.
Abrogation of the Russian treaty fol.
lowing agitation over the Jewish pass
port question.
Substantial defeat by amendment OF
President Taft's arbitration treaties
with Great Britain and france.
Notice by the senate to foreign ma
tons that the United States will per
nit none to acquire naval or military
sites in the western hemisphere.
Approve Direct Election.
Approval of constitutional amend
ment for direct election of senators.
Decision of both houses in favor OF
free passage for American ships al
Panama in face of Great Britain's pro
test that this would be violation OF
treaty rights.
Admission Of New Mexico and Ari
IONA to statehood.
Veto by President Taft of tariff bills
passed by Acknowledgements ALI
ance.
Creation Of children's bureau in
the department of commerce and la
bor
Increase of civil war pensions
through the Sherwood service pension
law.
Important questions remaining to be
settled between the two houses or be-
tween congress and the president are
Questions Still Pending.
Proposed abolition of the tariff com.
mission and the commerce court.
Battleship building program for 1915
Reorganization plans for the army
partly rejected by the president, when
he vetoed the army appropriation bill
Establishment of parcels post.
Restriction of civil service employees
to seyen-year terms.
Details of the Panama canal admin
istration.
Creation of federal department of
labor
Investigation committees appointed
year ago virtually have all reported
to congress, covering the inquiries into
various so-called trusts, the Shipping
combine" Alaskan affairs, agricultural
department operations, the secret
fund" of the state department, the Ii
tantic disaster, and many other sub
jects. Few Investigations have result
ed in new laws.