The Daily Missoulian., 1913-03-03
LAST SESSION MARKED
BY FACT|ONAL STRIFE
Continued From Page One

Continued From Page One
ing free passage for American coast
wise ships, and barring railroad owned
vessels from the canal.
Campaign publicity laws passed, re-
quiring a complete public accounting
of all campaign funds.
William Lorimer declared not en-
titled to sit as senator from Illinois
Judge Robert w. Archibald of the
victed on charges of judicial miscon
duct.
Money trust investigation conducted.
disclosing detailed methods of present
day financial operation.
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 on, and Legislative sub
jects considered during the two years
of the SiXty-second congress. The
two great personal struggles, involving
William Lorimer and Judge Archibald,
ran throughout the congress, and with
their interesting personal phases
helped to draw attention from the
actual Legislative work of the two
years.
Neglected Legislation.
While congress passed an eight hour
law covering all government contracts
except on the Panama canal, it took
no action on three important subjects:
antl-lnjunction, WOrkmen's compen-
sation, and trust legislation. Rec
concentrations were made by a senate
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 ad-
ministration.
The final session, now ending, has
witnessed q struggle in the senate be-
tween republicans and democrats that
prevented the confirmation of the
greater part of President Taft's ap-
pointments. With more than 1000 ap-
pointments before the senate, demo-
Gratis declined to permit action on the
great majority, and the result will be
that President Wilson will fill the
places after he comes into office.
This fractional struggle, coupled with
the internal democratic contest for the
organization and control of senate and
house under the new administration
injected the political equation into the
last sessions work to an unusual de-
gree. Several bills that might have
become law in the closing days of this
session have been held back because
democratic leaders preferred to have
the subjects carried over until demo-
cratic president, senate and house can
have an opportunity to carry out defi-
mite legislative programs.
The Present Session.
Important actions in the short ses-
sion just closing include;
"Llteracy test immigration bill
passed, but vetoed by President Taft.
Single six-year presidential term
amendment passed by senate.
Life prisoners in federal prisons
mado eligible to parole.
Five-ycar 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 package.
Government authorized by law to
seize trust controlled goods as soon as
imported into the United States.
Lincoln memorial authorized to cost
s.. 900, 900
The democratic majority that took
control of the house when the con-
gress organized insisted on going ahead
with other features of tariff revision,
and passed WOOL cotton, froe-liSt and
| some other bills. All three measures,
with the aid of the progressive repub-
lican forces in the senate, reached
President Taft. They were vetoed, on
the ground that the tariff board was
conducting investigations the results
of which must be known before a
proper revision of the tariff could be
made.
During the Long Session.
| Legislative work throughout the spe-
cial session and the long session, be
ginning in December, 1911 and run
ming through last August, included the
| following:
Increase in the size of the house of
| representatives from 1896 to 435 mem
bers.
Age and service pension law, in
| Creasing civil war pensions
| Eighth hour law covering government
contracts.
Admission of Arizona and New Mex
| leo to statehood.
Use of poisonous white phosphorus
In match making prevented by exces-
siVe tax.
Pure drug law amended to prevent
misleading labels on patent medicines
Wireless communication brought un-
der careful regulation, the law requir-
ing the wireless on all ocean vessels
to be adequately manned.
| Government transports required tc