The Birmingham age-herald., 1913-04-08
NUMEROUS BILLS
ARE PLACED BEFORE
THE NEW CONGRESS
Currency Reform and Flood
Situation Are Discussed
in Both Houses of
Extra Session

Washington, April Bills and reso-
lutions to reform the nations currency
system, to prevent floods in the Mis-
sissippi river, to provide for relief of
flood sufferers, to build government
railroads in Alaska aud for a host OF
other purposes, were introduced in
both houses of Congress today The
measures represented weeks of work
on the part of senators and represen-
tatives in the preparation of legisla-
tive drafts to be urged for immediate
action.
Several currency reform bills ap-
peared one by Senator Hitchcock of
Nebraska, a member of the Senate COM
mittee that will prepare currency leg
islation. 1t would establish 20 distinct
national reserve associations with wide
powers of note issue, discount and ex-
change. The bill devised by the ma
tional monetary commission was intro
duced again by Senator Lodge. acting
for Senator Weeks.
Legislation for the construction of
1000 miles of government railroad in
Alaska was proposed by Senators Cham
berlain and Jones', and by Delegate
Wickersham of Alaska. The bills would
authorize the issuance of $50,000,000 of
government bonds to finance the prof.
ect to be redeemed from federal re-
ceipts in Alaska.
Flood Suffering Relief
Senator Burton presented a resolu-
tion of a $2,O00,00O grant for the relief
of the Dayton flood sufferers, and in
the House Representative Ansbury in
troduced to appropriate $25,000,00O for
the state of Ohio The Burton resolu-
ton proposed that the war department
be first reimbursed for the amount 1t
had expended in relief work, and that
the balance be placed at the disposal
of the American Red Cross.
Senator Ransdell of Louisiana intro
duced bill aimed at prevention of
flood districts on the Mississippi river.
1t would authorize an annual appro-
priation of s12.0O0,000 for five years.
to be expended by the Mississippi river
commission. The bill would require
local interests to supply one-third of
the amount necessary for river inn
provement in any established levee dis
trict.
Creation of federal department of
health was again proposed in bill
presented by Senator owen. The sea
mems Involuntary servitude law, vetoed
bv former President Taft, again was
introduced by Senator LaFollette. The
immigration bill. also vetoed by Mr..
Taft, was reintroduced by Senator
OVerman.
Senator Smith of Georgia reintro-
duced his bill to create a division of
markets in the agricultural depart
ment Senator Smith of South Caro-
lima again introduced his bill TO regu-
late trading in cotton futures. Senator
Bristow reintroduced his resolution for
a constitutional amendment providing
that when the supreme court holds Il
law unconstitutional the decision might
be submitted to a vote of the people.
Agricultural Bills
Agricultural and vocational educa- :
tion was the subject of several bills
presented in the Senate. resolution by
Senator Hoke Smith of Georgia pro-
posed a commission Of nine members
to investigate the feasibility of the
government giving aid to vocational
education, and he also introduced bills
for a~ricultural extension departments
for state agricultural colleges and for
establishment of $1,000, 900 teachers
training fund. Senator Page reintro-
duced his agricultural educational bill,
which passed the Senate at the last ses-
sion.
A $4,000 pension for ex-Presidents
was proposed in a bill by Senator Nc
Cumber, the President to be retired as
commander in chief of the army and
navy. Senator McCumber also intro
duced federal grain inspection bill,
and Senator Nelson a measure to regu-
late the service of seamen in the mer-
chant marine.
A currency bill presented by Senator
Jones of Washington. republican
lC0ntinued On P&ge Elghtl