The daily sentinel., 1913-03-03
Of SIXTY. SECOND CONGRESS
CLOSES TODAY; COMPLETE REVIEW

on charges of judicial misconduct.
Money trust investigation conduct
ed disclosing detailed methods OF
present-day financial operation.
Campaign expenditures investigat-
ed covering campaign funds of 1904,
1908 and 1919; and disclosing cor
respondence between John ID. Arch
bold 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 conduct
ed, treaties passed on. and legislative
subjects considered during the two
years of the 62nd Congress. The
two great personal struggles, involv-
ing William Lorimer and Judge Arch
bald, ran throughout the Congress;
and with their interesting personal
phases helped TO draw attention from
the actual legislative work of the
two years.
While Congress passed an eight
hour law covering all government
contracts except on the Panama
canal, it took no action on three i'm
portant subjects; anti-injunction.
workmen's compensation. and anti
trust legislation. accommodation
were made by Senate committee
within the last week. for radical
changes in the antitrust law. to re-
store competitive conditions and pre-
vent monopoly; and they may bear
fruit in Legislation under the new ad-
ministration.
Hold Up Appointments.
The final session. now ending. has
witnessed a struggle in the Senate be-
tween Republicans and Democrats,
that prevented the confirmation of
the greater part of President Taft's
appointments. With more than p
900 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 office.
This factional struggle, coupled
with the internal Democratic con-
test 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 degree. Several bills
that might have become law in the
closing days of this session have been
held back because Democratic lead
ers preferred to have the subjects car
ried over until a Democratic Presi-
dent. Senate and House can have an
opportunity to carry out definite leg
islative programs.
Important actions in the short ses-
sion just closing include:
"Literacy test" immigration bill
passed, but vetoed by President Taft
Single siX-year presidential term
amendment passed by Senate
Life prisoners in federal prisons
made eligible to parole,
Fiye-year closed. season for fur
seals Incorporated in the internation-
al seal treaty
Federal control of water powers
defeated in the Senate
Pure Food Act.
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 S2,000,000
The Democratic majority that took
control of the House when the Con-
gress organized insisted on going
ahead with other features of tariff re-
vision, and passed wool, cotton. free
list and some other bills. All three
measures with the aid of the Pro-
gressive Republican forces in the
Senate, reached President Taft
They were vetoed on the ground that
the tariff board was conducting in