Clearwater Republican. [volume] (Orofino, Idaho) 1912-1922, 1913-03-06
WHAT CONGRESS DID
BRIEF SUMMARY OF WORK IN
THE HOUSE AND SENATE
TOLD HERE.
POLITICAL KX-UP Numbered WORK
Has Lasted Two Years, but in Spite
Of Differences Legislators Have
Succeeded in Some Important
Accomplishments.

Washington, D. C.-With the ad-
journment of congress Tuesday noon
the end was written to two year of
epoch-making struggle within party
ranks, and to three years of effort,
only partially successful, to adjust the
difference between a democratic
house, a senate under dem%ocratic-pro-
gressive control and a republican pres
ident.
Perhaps the most important develop
ments of the entire congress are the
following:
Canadian reciprocity law passed, but
rejected by Canada.
Wool, cotton, metal and free list tar
if bills passed, but vetoed by Presi-
dent Taft.
Constitutional amendment for popu-
lar election of senators submitted to
the states.
Shipment of liquor into prohibition
states forbidden by law.
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 mill
tary or naval footholds where they
might threaten the safety of this coun-
try.
Children's bureau created in depart.
ment OF commerce and labor.
Fanama n law passed, estab-
fishing free passage for American
coastwise ships n barring railroad
owned vessels from the canal.
Campaign publicity laws passed. re-
curing a complete public accounting
OF all campaign funds.
William Lorimer declared not emit
tied to a seat as senator from Illinois.
Judge Robert w. Archibald of The
commerce court impeached and con-
victed on charges of judicial miscon.
duct.
Money trust investigation conducted.
Campaign expenditures investigated
covering campaign funds of 1904, 1908
and 1912, and disclosing correspond.
ence between John D.. 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 a few of the
laws passed, Investigations conducted.
treaties passed or and legislative SUBJ
Jects considered during the two years
OF the sixty-second congress.
The final session, now ending, has
witnessed a struggle in the senate be-
tween Republicans n Democrats
that prevented the confirmation of the
greater part Of President Taft's an
pointments before the senate, Demo-
Gratis declined to permit action on the
great majority, and the result will be
tnat President Wilson will fill the
places after he ome into office.
Important actions in the short ses-
sion just closing include:
"Literacy test" immigration bill
passed, but vetoed by President Taft.
single six-year presidential term
amendment passed by senate.
Life prisoners in federal prisons
made eligible to parole.
F1ve-year closed season for fur seals
incorporated in the international seal
treaty.
Manufacturers of foods required to
state the net weight and contents on
outside of food package.
Government authorized by law to
seize trust-controlled goods as soon as
imported into the United States.
Lincoln memorial authorized to cost
81, 900, 900.
This congress has witnessed the rat
lflcation OF many important treaties
with foreign nations. The arbitration
treaties with France and Great Brit
ain, negotiated by President Taft, how
ever, were not ratified, because the
senate SO amended them that the presi-
dent considered they did not carry out
the understandings made with the two
powers
In the two years, however, many i'm.
portant agreements have beer perfect.
ed, including the %pecuniary claims
treaty with Great Britain and the fnr
seal treaty with Great Britain, Russia
and Japan; and Investigations cover.
ing a wide range of important subjects
We're conducted.