Evening star., 1913-03-05
WORK OF CONGRESS
Session Just Ended Not Pro-
|ific of Many important Acts.
BASIS FOR FUTURE LAWS
Way Cleared for More Intelligent
Action by Coming Session.
INVESTIGATION FEVER" HIGH
Inquiries of Several Kinds Made,
Including Some of Govern
ment Departments.
BASIS FOR FUTURE LAWS
INVESTIGATION FEVER" HIGH

| The session of Congress which began
last December and ended yesterday cam
not be said to have been prolific of many
important legislative enactments outside
of unusually generous appropriations for
public works in the country at large. In
point of fact, it would not be beyond
the truth to say that the most important
work of the session just closed was lay
ing the groundwork for future legisla-
| ton.
| That is to say. in the far-reaching in
vestigation Of the money trust, in the
preliminary work on the tariff, by way
| of full and complete public hearings to
manufacturers and importers: in the
hearings of the committee on banking
and currency, Of plans for currency re-
form, and in the shipping trust inquiry
the way was cleared for more intelligent
action on those subjects at the coming
extra session or at the regular session
beginning next December.
At the beginning Of the session last
winter the investigation fever ran
high. In addition to the inquiries men
| toned above, probes into various depart
ments OF the government service We're
instituted. and members of the House
were kept from their regular legislative
duties to attend the meetings of investi-
| eating committees
Even the Senate became infected and a
| committee delved deep into the financing
of past national campaigns, bringing out
| some startling revelations as to partici-
| patton OF prominent persons and interests
| therein. This investigation, however
brought no recommendation for further
| action.
Information on Tariff.
| The tariff hearings elected great mass
OF information, which was utilized by
the ways and means committee in pre-
pairing the tentative tariff legislation
which is to be presented to the House
when the Congress meets in extraordin-
ary session April l.
| Inc money trust inquiry resulted in
a Voiumlnous report, which declared the
existence or a dangerous aggregation of
| financial interests and concentra ton of
credits in those interests, as well as
pointing out alleged abuses by the New
| York Stock Exchange. The committee
recommended bills to correct the alleged
evils, ana 1t Is supposed that such bills
Will be introduced next session
The currency reform committee made
no report, but is understood to have
prepared at least the framework of
plan Tor needed currency reform, which
also is expected to be disclosed to Con
gress in the form of bill at the extra
session il President Wilson desires that
subject taken up.
The shipping trust inquiry was still
In progress when Congress adjourned
and will doubtless be resumed later
when new committee is appointed
Taft Vetoes Some Bills.
Some of the work of Congress proved
futile by meeting the executive veto.
This was the case with the bill amend
ing the immigration laws to provide
for literacy test. The President dis
approved the measure and the Senate
voted to pass il over his veto. but the
House refused to override the Pres.-
dent. and the bill failed to become law
The President also killed the bill to
amend the law relating to conditions
Affecting seamen on coastwise and lake
vessels by withholding his signature
in the last hour of the session.
Record-breaking appropriations for
| river and harbor improvements and for
construction and authorization OF pub
lie buildings were passed and became
law, although there was much criticism
OF them. and many thought veto
would meet them.
The Senate passed a resolution for
proposed amendment to the Constitu-
tion limiting the presidential term of
office to six years with no reelection,
but 1T was pigeonholed in the House
An important bill which became law
makes it possible for the government to
seize commodities and goods which are
subject to antitrust law. before they en-
ter into interstate commerce. This bill
was aimed especially at the coffee
trust to break up the Brazilian coffee
valorization scheme.
Largest Pension Bill.
The largest pension appropriation bill
ever passed was the work OF the last ses-
sion. a total of $1SO.OOO 600 being author
lied for the next fiscal year.
The Senate failed to act on the bill
prohibiting dealing in cotton futures"
and did not bring it out of committee.
An interesting feature of the session
was the successful holding up of some
| 1,4e0 belated presidential nominations,
| the democrats Of the Senate refusing to
confirm on the score of late presenta
| ton.
| One of the most important enactments
| of the session was the creation of new
executive department, the Department OF
Labor the chief Of which is to have
| seat in the cabinet.
Another important measure which be-
came law was provision for the physi-
| cal valuation of railroads. to form the
| basis for rate making
|