The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1913-03-04
62ND CONGRESS-
Review of It's Most Important
Work.
President Taft Was Not Afraid
to Use Veto Power.

w MdICn 4--M TN lIO
adjournment of congress Tuesday
noon, the end will be written to two
years of epoch making struggle with
IN party ranks; and TO three sessions
OF effort, only partially successful, to
adjust the differences between a Dem
ocrauc house, a senate under Demo-
crat1c-ProgressiVe control, and Re
publican president.
The 62d congress opened in 1911
with a special session called by Presi-
dent Taft to consider Canadian reci-
procity; it ends with extra session
of the 63d congress only d few weeks
away. to be called by President Will
son for a general revision of the
Payue-Aldrich tariff law. Activities
of the short session now closing have
been limited almost entirely to rout-
inc work, because of the determination
to leave to the new administration all
of the important subjects of a general
character.
Perhaps the most important devel-
opments of the entire congress are the
following:
Canadian reciprocity law passed,
but rejected by Canada.
Wool, cotton, meal and free list
tariff bills passed, but vetoed by Pres
ident Taft.
Constitutional amendment for pop
ular election of senators submitted to
the states.
Shipment of liquor into prohibition
states forbidden by law.
Arbitration treaties with Great
Britain and France negotiated, but
failed of ratification because of
changes made by the senate.
Termination of the treaty of 1892
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 safety of this country
Children's bureau created in de-
partment of commerce and labor
Panama canal law passed. eStaD-
fishing free passage for American
coastwise ships, and barring railroad
owned vessels from the canal
Campaign publicity laws passed, re
quiring a complete public accounting I
of all campaign funds. /
William Lorimer declared not en- |
titled to seat as senator from ILLINOIS, }
Judge Robert w. Archibald of COM
MERGE court impeached and convicted i
on charges of judicial misconduct.
Money trust investigation conduct
ed, disclosing detailed methods OF
present day financial operation
Campaign expenditures investigated
covering campaign funds of 1903, |
1908 and 1912; and disclosing CORE ]
spondence between John ID. Archoold
of the standard Oil company and
members of congress.
Investigation made of formation
and operation of the United states
Steel corporation.
''I,iteracy test immigration bill
passed. but vetoed by President Taft
Life prisoners in federal prisons
made eligible to parole
Five year closed season for fur
seals incorporated in the international
Federal control of water powers
defeated 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
Increase in the size of the house of
representatives, from 396 TO 43o
Age and pension law, increasing
Civil war pensions.
Eight hour day covering govern
ment contracts.
Admission of Arizona and New
Mexico to statehood |
Use of poisonous white phosphorus
in match making prevented by eA-
pure drug law amended to prevent
misleading labels on patent meul-
cines ,,,+
under careful regulation. the law re-
oniring the wireless on all ocean Nes-
sells to be adequately manned
Government transports required TO
.o.,- I.J an ample number of Iifeboats.
Red Cross recognized officially as
branch of government service in time
of war -o., go ,,e
Federal relief given to 1912 flood SUI
ferers in lower MISSISSIPPI Valiey-
Commerce court and tariff board
virtually Iegislated out of existence.
Industrial commission authorized TO
study relations between capital ana
labor. -
This congress has witnessed the
of many important treat
les with foreign nations The arbl-
tration treaties with France and
Great Britain, negotiated by President
Taft. however, were not ratified, be
cause the senate so amended them
that the president considered they did
not carry out the understandings
made with the two powers.
President Taft has used the veto
mower freely throughout the congress
Fully 20 bills have met his disapproN-
al including Democratic tariff bills.
q npropriation bills which contained
commerce court, civil service and
army reorganization and legislation of
which he did not approve; water bills
in which the principle of federal con-
troll was not recognized; and the i'm
migration bill containing the ''literacy
test feature.
INSTALL new SYSTEM !: