The independent-reporter. [volume] (Skowhegan, Me.) 1909-1955, 1913-04-03
DEVELOPMENTS IN SID
CONGRESS
National COnyentiOns-Birth of New
Party, and Complete Change of
Administration Occurred During Ses-
siOn..


tariff bills passed, but vetoed by Pres
ident Taft.
Constitutional amendment for pop
ular elections of senators submitted
to the States.
New Federal Bureau Of Labor ere
ated, with cabinet officers at its head.
Webb bill, prohibiting shipment of
intoxicating liquors to prohibition
States, passed, vetoed and passed o.
yer veto.
Physical valuation of the property
of the common carriers, ordered
to form basis for rate making.
Arbitration treaties with Great Brit
ain and France negotiated. but failed
of ratification, because of changes
made by the Senate.
Termination of the treaty of 1882
with Russia demanded by Congress.
Notice served on the world by the
Senate that the United States will not
permit foreign nations to secure mil
itary or naval footholds where they
might threaten safety of this Country.
Children's Bureau created in De-
partmnt of Commerce and Labor.
Panama Canal law passed, estab-
fishing free passage for Americans
coastwise ships and barring railroad
owned vessels from the canal.
Campaign publicity laws passed,
requiring complete public account
ing of all campaign funds.
William Lorimer declared not enti
tied to seat as senator from Illinois.
Judge Robert w. Archbold of Com
merce court impeached and convicted
on charges of Judicial misconduct
Money trust investigating conducted.
disclosing methods of present-day fl
nancial operations; three reports pre-
scented.
Campaign expenditures investigated
covering campaign funds Of 1904, 1908
and 1912; and disclosing correspon-
dence between John ID. Archbold of the
Standard Oil Company, and members
of Congress.
Investigation made OF formation
and operation of the United States Steel
Corporation.
These comprise but few of the
laws passed, Investigations conduct
ed, treaties passed on, and Legislative
subjects considered during the two
years of the Sixty-second Congress.
While Congress passed an eight-hour
law covering all Government contracts
except the Panama Canal, it took no
, action on three important sub
jects: anti-injunction, workman's COM
pensation, and antitrust legislation
Recommendation were made by Sen
ate committee within the last week,
for radical changes in the antitrust
law, to restore competitive conditions
and prevent monopoly; and they may
bear fruit in legislation under the new
Administration.
important actions in the short ses-
sion just closed include:
Literary test immigration bill pass
ed, but vetoed by Pres. Taft
Single six-year presidential term "a
mendment passed by Senate.
Life prisoners in Federal prisons
made eligible to parole.
Government authorized 10 seize
ust-controlled goods as soon as i'm
ported into United States.
Five-year closed season for fur
seals incorporated in the international
seal treaty.
Federal control of water powers de-
feated in the Senate.
Manufacturers OF foods required
to state the net weight and contents
on outside of food packages.
Government authorized by law to
seize trust-controlled goods as soon as
imported into the United States
Lincoln memorial, authorized to
cost 100000.
Pension bill passed, carrying
$180,000, 900, largest amount in history.
Legislative work throughout the
special session, and the long session
beginning in December, 1911, and
running through last August, included
the following:
Increase in the size of the House of
Representatives, from 39G to 435 men,
bers..
Age and service pension law, in
creasing Civil War pensions.
Eight-hour aw covering Govern
ment contracts.
Admission of Arizona and New
Mexico to statehood.
Use of poisonous white phosphorus
in matchmaking prevented by ex-
cessive tax.
Pure drug law amended to prevent
misleading labels on patent medi-
cines.
Wireless communication brought
under careful regulation, the law re-
quiring the wireless on all ocean YES
sells to be adequately manned.
Government transports required to
carry an ample number Of lifeboats.
zfH toll no