The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1912-08-12
The END
Long Session of Congress Is
About to Close.
Adjournment Is Expected With.
in Two Weeks at Most.

Washington, Aug. 1e.-Congress ii
about to terminate a session that has
NOW run over $50 days. The session
has not been fruitful much genera
legislation, but from the standpoint Of
great issues fought out and great poll
cies outlined, it has been of more thar
usual interest.
Political activities have helped tc
prolong it; and political differences
| Democratic and the other controlled
| by an Independent element of the Re-
| publican party, have served to tie UP
appropriation bills and impede much
| general legislation.
Many annual appropriation bills
that should have become effective July
| 1 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 the end of the
| following week.
The more important developments
| that have marked the session are:
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 agitation 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 senator's
Decision of both houses in favor OF
free passage for American ships at
Panama, in face of Great Britain s
protest that this would be VOCATION
Admission of New Mexico and Ari-
iona to statehood.
Veto OF President Taft of tarln pliis
nassed by Democra tic-PrOgreSSive al
lance.
Creation of a children's bureau in
the department of commerce and labor.
Increase of Civil war pensions
through the Sherwood service pension
law.
Work Still Undone.
Imnortant questions remaining to
he settled between the two houses or
between congress and the president
are:
Proposed abolition of the tariff COM
mission and the commerce court:
Raftieship building program for 1913
Reorganization plans for the army, par T.
iy rejected by the P pTfsfinn bill.
Establishment of parcels post
restriction of civil service employees TO
SCI D et Of the Panama canal admins
tration. ..4 -
investigation committees appointed
wear ago have practically all reported to
congress covering the lnquIIi t1n, mo oo,n-
bine," Alaskan affairs. agricultural de-
partment operations. the secret fund ot
the state department the Titanic disaster
and many other subjects Few tnvesuga-
lions have resulted in new laws.
Inquiry into campaign expenditures has
resulted in. the perfection of campaign
publicity bills that probably win be
passed next winter. Agitation for a SIN
PRESIDENT is expected to result in favor
able action next season on a constitutional
amendment.
into the money trust the alleged
financing Of Cuban and Mexican 1nsur-
rections by Americans; the damages sus-
tanned by Americans in the Mexican revo-
luton and expenditures for the forest
service An investigation of the judicial |
and private acts of Judge Hanford; Of
Seattle, instituted by the house, was fol- |
lowed by the judges resignation !
Laws as a Result.
Some of the important new laws that |
have resulted from the work of the ses-
sion are:
Abolition of high taxation of the manu-
facture of white phosphorus matches.
Eight-hour federal labor law.
Prohibition against expectation of arms,
coal or supplies to insurrectionists in
Other countries.
Granting commissions as ensigns to
on graduation from naval
academy.
Barring prize fight picture films from
transportation if they are to be used for
public exhibition.
Requiring that wireless operators be
on duty on ocean-going YES
sells.
Encouraging invention and original re-
search in the agricultural and army ord
nance divisions by giving cash rewards
20 employees.
Equipment of army transports with
ADEQUATE life saving apparatus.
Uniform wireless law to prevent inter-
erence by amateurs.
The session has been prolific of vetoes
by President Taft Since its beginning
asst December he has written his disap-
oroVal across the face of seven bills
passed by congress. One of these TIE
'Corbett tunnel bill, was re-passed over
lis veto in the senate. 1t is expected that
lie Will this week veto two or three other
including the steel and iron
arm and the appropriation bill fixing a
ermS. - 49,
The senate has ratified nine treaties
-urlnS the session, including those with |
france and Great Britain which the |
PRESIDENT refused to accept in amended |
orm. and the following:
oettlement of pecuniary claims between, !
ne United States and Great Britain.
sreeinent of international naval confer. |
nee on war prizes; copyright treaty with {
V!th great Britain; naturalization treaty
YIN costa R1ca; international wireless !
elesraph treaty; International treaty. ~, |
and salvage at sea.
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