American Falls press. [volume] (American Falls, Idaho) 1907-1937, 1913-03-06
RECORD OF THE
PRESENT CONGRESS.
A Brief Resume of It's Stormy Ex
istence.
HAS BEEN AN EPOCH MAKER
Begins with Special Sessions and
Runs Through With Many
Measures.

greSS only a few weeks away 10 be
called by Pro dent Wilson for
general revision of the Payne- AL
.drich tariff law. National conven-
tions, the birth of new party, a
general election, and a complete
change of administration have inter-
vened between it's beginning and its
end. Activities of the short session
now closing have been limited al
most entirely to routine work, be-
cause of the determination to leave
to the new administration all of
the important subjeos of a general
character.
Important Developments.
Perhaps the most important de-
velopments of the entire congress
are the following.
Canadian reciprocity law. passed,
but rejected by Canada.
Wool, cotton, metal and free list
tariff bills passed, but vetoed by
President Taft.
Constitut tional amendment for pop
ular election of senators submitted
to the states.
Shipment of liquor into prohibi-
ton states forbidden by law.
Arbitration treaties with Great
Britain and France negotiated, but
failed of ratification because of the
changes made by the senate.
Termination of the treaty of 1892
with Russia demanded by congress.
Notre served on The world by
the senate that the United States
will not permit foreign nations to
secure military or naval foothoolds
where they might threaten safety
OF this country
Children's bureau created in de-
partment of cammeree and labor.
Panama canal law passed estab-
fishing free passage for American
coastwise ships. and barring railroad
owned vessels from the canal.
Campaign publicity law passed,
requiring a complete public account
Ing of all campaign funds
William Lorimer declared not en-
titled to seat as senator from Hi
4ois.
Judge Robt. w. Archibald of COM
meree court impeached and convict
ed on charges of judicial miscon-
duct
Money trust investigation conduct
ed, disclosing detailed methods of
present day financial operation.
Campaign expenditures investigat-
ed covering campaign funds of 1904
1908 and 1912; and disclosing cor
respondence between John D. Arch
bald of the Standard Oil Company
and memebrs of congress.
Investigation made of the forma-
tion and operation of the United
States Steel corporation.
These comprise but a few of the
laws passed, Investigations conduct
ed, treaties passed on and legis-
lative subjects considered during
the two years of the Sixty-second
The two great personal
struggles, involving William Lori.
mer and Judge Arch bald, ran
throughout the congress; and with
their interesting personal phases
helped to draw attention from the
years.
Three Measures Not Passed.
While congress passed an eight
hour law covering all government |
contracts except on the Panama |
canal, it took no action on three
i'm portant subjects-anti-inju
workmen's compensation and anti |
trust legislation Recommendations
we're made by senate committee,
within the last week, for radical
changes in the antitrust law, to re-
store competitive conditions an d
prevent monopoly; and they may
pear fruit in legislation under the
lew administration.
The final session now ending has
a struggle in the senate
republicans and democrats
hat prevented the confirmation of
he greater part of President Taft's
With more than p
100 appointments before the sem
tie, democrats declined 10 permit
.ction on the great majority and
he result will be that President
wilson will fill the places after