The chronicle=news., 1913-03-03
REVIEW OF SIXTY
SECOND CONGRESS

| Washington, Mar. 3.--t REVIEW OF
G2nd Congresses. with the ad-
tournament of Congress Tuesday noon
the end will be written To two years
OF cpoch-makinE struggle within
party ranks: and to three sessions
10 adjust the differences between n
Democratic House. n Senate under
Ocratic-Progrcscsivc control. and
n Republican president.
Many important pieces OF l"risia-
ton have been enacted within that
time: Investigations Of peculiar
Significance TO the public hav. been
conducted. and many sub jccts q! gen
cral interest have hecn laid aside
without action. The tariff. attacked
aiik" from Democratic and R"puhli-
can sources twice during that per-
ind. has been the subject OF a,icmpt-
ed revision. hut none of the propos-
cd chanscsc became effective
The SlNiy-Sccond Congress open
cd In 1917 with II special session call
ed by President Taft TO consider Ca
madam reciprocity: II ends with an
extra session OF the Gard Congress
only few weeks away. to be called
by President Wilson for n general
revision OF the Paync-Aldrich tariff
law. National conventions. the birth
of a new party. a general election.
and complete change o, adIninis-
irntion hav" interviewed between Its
beginning and its cnd. Activities OF
Tho short session now closing have
h"cn limited almost entirely To rom
line work, because Of the determine
iion all Of the important snhjccis Of
n general character.
| Perhaps the most important de-
vclOpm"nts OF the entire Congress are
tho following:
| Canadian rcciprocity law passed.
hut rejected by Canada.
Wool. cotton. metal, and free list
tariff bills passed. hut vetoed by
President Taft.
Constitutional amerdmcn, for
popular election OF senators sub
!nitted ID tho states.
Shipment Of liquor Into prohibit
tion states forbidden by law.
Arbitration treaties with Great
J Britain and France negotiated. hut
failed OF ratification because of
changes made by tho senate.
| Termination OF the treaty Of
1872 with Russia demanded by con-
grcss.
Notice served on tho world by the
senate. that the United States will
not permit foreign nations TO secure
military or naval foothoids where
they miaht threaten xntc'y OF this
country. .f
Childrcn'S bureau created In de-
, rartmcGt OF Commerce and Labor.
| Panama canal law passed. cxtab-
fishing free apssagc for American
coastwisc ships. and barring rail-
road-ownch ships from the canal.
Campaign publicity laws passed!
requiring complete public account
ing ~ nj, campaign funds.
William l.orimc. declared not en-
titled to seat nm senator from Illinois
Judge Robert ". Archibald OF
Commerce Court impcached and con-
victed on charges Of judicial miscon-
duct.
Money trust Investigation conduct
cd. disclosing detailed methods OF
r-cscnt-dny financial operation.
Campaign expenditures invcstirat-
cd covering campaign funds OF 1904
1908 and 1912: and disclosing corrc-
spondencc between John n. Arch
hold Of the Standard Oil company and
members OF congress
Investigation made OF formation
end operation Of the United States
Steel coropration.
!
laws passed. investigations conduct
cd. treaties passed on. and legislative
subjects considered during the two
years OF the 6?nd congress. The
two great cprsonal struggles. involv.
ing William Lorimer and Judge
Archibald. ran throughout the con-
gress: and with their interesting
personal phases helped to draw at
tcntion from, tho actual legislative
| work OF tho two years
While congress passed nm eight
| hour law covering all government
contracts except on the Panama ca
raj. II took no action on thrcc i'm
portant subjects: nnti-injunction.
workmen's compensation. and anti
trust legislation. Recommendations
were made by a senate committee
within the last week. for radical
changes In the antitrust law. to rc.
store competitive conditions and pre-
vent monopoly: and they may bear
fruit in legislation under the new
administration.
Tho final session. now ending, has
witnessed n struggle IN the senate
between Republicans and Democrats.
that prevented tho confirmation of
the greater pnrt OF President Taft's
appointments. With more than 1000
appointments before the senate.
Democrats declined to permit action
on the great majority. and the result
will be that President Wilson will
fill the places after he comes into Of
flee.
This factional struggle. coupled
with the internal Democratic con-
test for the organization and control
of sena te and house under the new
administration, injected the. polite
al equation into the last session q
work OF an unusual degree. Several
bills that might have become laws
In the closing days OF this session.
have been held back because Demo-
cratic leaders preferred to have the
subjects carried over until Demo-
cratic president. senate and house
can have an opportunity to carry out