El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1913-03-03
TO
END FIGHT
TUESDAY
Many Important Laws Have
Been Enacted During the
GID Congress.
TARIFF is LEFT
TO THE DEMOCRATS

making struggle within party ranks;
and to three sessions Of effort, only
partly successful, to adjust the differ
ences between a Democratic house, a
senate under Democratic Progressive
control, and a Republican president.
Many pieces Of legislation have been
enacted within that time; 1nVeStlga-
tons of a peculiar significance to the
public have been conducted and many
objects Of general interest have been
laid aside without action. The tariff,
attacked alike from Democratic and
Republican sources within that period,
has been the subject of attempted re-
vision, but none of the proposed
changes became effective
Opened With Special Session.
The 62nd congress opened in 1911
dent Taft 10 consider Canadian reel
prOcity; il ends with an extra session
of the 63rd congress only a few weeks
away. to be called by president Wilson
for a general revision Of the Payne
Aldrich tariff law. National cOnVen-
lions, the birth of u new party, a gen
eral election, and a complete change Of
administration have interviewed between
its beginning and its end. Activities
of the short session now closing have
been limited almost entirely to routine
work, because Of the determination to
leave to the new administration all OF
the important subjects of a general
character.
Reciprocity Rejected.
Perhaps the most important deVel-
Opments of the entire conSTess are
the following:
Canadian reciprocity law passed, but
rejected by Canada
Wool, cotton. metal and free list
tariff bills passed but vetoed by pres
Constitutional amendment for popu-
lar election Of senator's submitted 10
the states.
shipment Of liquar into prohibition
states forbidden by law congress pass
ing the bill over the presidents veto.
Arbitration treaties with Great Brl-
tain 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 viii
not permit foreign nations TO secure
military or naval fOOLhOlds where they
might threaten safety Of this country.
Children's bureau created in depart
ment OF CONNIE rec and idtur-
Panama canal law passed, establish
ing free passage for American coast
wise ships, and barring railroad
owned vessels from the canal.
CAMPAIGN publicity laws passed. re-
curing a complete public accounting
of all campaign funds
New federal bureau of labor ere
ated, with cabinet officer at its head
Physical valuation OF the property
of railroads and other common carriers
order to form a basis for rate making.
Senator and Judge Ousted.
William LOrimer declared not enti-
tied TO seat as senator from Illinois
Judge Robert ". Archibald OF com
merce court impeached and convicted
on charges of judicial misconduct.
Money trust Investigation conducted,
disclosing detailed methods Of present
day financial operations
Campaign expenditures Investigated
covering campaign funds OF 1904, 1908
a To-
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
Important Acts Pending.
While congress passed an eight-hour
law covering all gOVel nment contracts
except on the Panama canal, it took
no action on three important subjects;
multiplication wOrkmen's cOmpcnsa-
ton, and antitrust legislation. Rec
concentrations were made by senate
committee within the last week, Tor
radical changes in the antitrust law,
to restore competitive conditions and
prevent monopoly; and -hgv may bear
fruit in legislation under she new
administration.
TAFT Appointments Blocked.
The final session, now ending, has
witnessed struggle in the senate be-
tween Republicans and Democrats. that
greater part of president Tafts ap-
pcintments. With more than 1000 aD-
pOintments before the senate. Demo
Gratis declined to permit ectloL on the
great majority, and the result viii be
that president Wilson viii fill the
places after he comes into office.
Iiteracy Test Vetoed.
Important actions in the short ses-
sion just closing include:
"Lite1acy test immigration bill
passed but vetoed by president Taft
The veto was overturned r. the senate
but sustained in me house
Single siX-ycar presidential term
amendment passed by senate.
Life prisoners in federal prisons made
eligible to parole.
Five-year closed season for fur-seals
Incorporated in the international seal
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 CEiteG STATES.
Lincoln memorial authorized to cost
81, O00, 600.
Tariff Measures Vetoed.
The Democratic majority that took
control % the mouse when the congress
organized insisted on going ahead with
other features Of tarirs revision. and
passed wool, cotton. free list and some
other bills. All three measures with
the aid Of the Progressive Republican
forces in the senaJe, reached president
Tart They were vetoed on the ground
that the tariff board was conducting
Investigations, the results of which
must be made pnown b r5Ie a proper
revision OF the tariff could be made
Increase Membership.
Legislative work throughout the
special session, and the long session
beginning in December. 1911, and run
ming through last August included
the fOllowins.
Increase in the size of the house Of
representatives from 396 TO 435 mem
bers.
Age aad service p nsiOn law increas-
ing civil war pensions.
Elght-hOur law covering govern
ment contracts
TWO States admitted.
Admission Of Arizona and New Mex
leo to statehood.
Use OF poisonous white phDsDhOrous
IN match making prevented by exces- /
slve tax.
Pure drug law ameu95d a. Prevent
misleading labels n Dztent medicines. I
W lrel6SS cOmsnuui cation brought an
Ger careful regulation. the law reQuir-
ing the wireless on AL lcean vessels
TO be adequately manned.
Governments TRANSPORTS required 10
carry an ample number of lifebOats-
Red Cross recognized officially as