Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1914-10-15

consideration of treaties and other
foreign affairs. General arbitration
treaties with IL foreign nations, upon
recommendation of this committee,
were ratified by the Senate, as fol-
lows:
Great Britain, Japan, Italy, Spain,
Norway, Sweden, Portugal, Switzer-
land, Paraguay, Austria Hungary, the
Netherlands and Salvador
Later in the session and in the midst
of the European conflict, the Senate
upon recommendation of the Foreign
Relations Committee, ratified new
treaties providing for peace commits
sions of investigation in International
disputes not settled by ordinary dip
lomacy with % foreign nations as
follows:
Norway the Netherlands, Portugal,
Switzerland, Denmark, Italy. Salvador,
Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, Bo-
livia, Persia, Costa Rica, Venezuela,
Honduras, Argentina, Brazil, Chill,
Peru, Paraguay, Great Britain, France
and Spain. Similar treaties negotiated
and urged for ratification but held up
in the Senate for further consideration
are with China, Panama and San Do
mingo. A similar treaty has been ne
gotiated with Russia to be sent to the
Senate later.
Much time was given by the COM
mittee for hearings and consideration
of a treaty with Nicaragua, to ac-
quire the Nicaraguan canal route and
naval station rights in the Bay Of
Fonseca. for 100000; and the treaty
with Colombia, to pay that country
s25, 100000 compensation for the Pana-
ma canal strip. Action on both treat
les was deferred until next session.
Investigations by Congress were less
than has been undertaken in recent
sessions. The special lobby investigat-
ing committee of the Senate. however.
continued it's existence and probed
into alleged lobbying in connection
with the passage of the Panama Canal
Act, and the subsequent repeal of the
tolls exemption provision. The COM
mittee has not yet made final report.
The House Lobby committee reported
a resolution of censure for Represen-
tative McDermott, of Illinois, who re-
signed his office. Investigation by the
Interstate Commerce commission into
the financial operation of the New
York, New Haven & Hartford Rail-
road Company and the Chicago, Rock
Island & Pacific Railway were insti-
tuted by resolutions of Congress In
vestigations also were conducted by
Senate and House committees into the
West Virginia coal strike, the Michi-
gan copper strike and the Colorado ccal
strike Inquiries leading to impeach-
ment proceedings which eventually
were dropped were conducted by the
House judiciary committed into the
affairs of Judges Daniel Thew Wright,
of the Supreme Court of the District
of Columbia and Emory F. Spear
United States Circuit Judge for the
Southern District of Georgia.
Notwithstanding it's achievements
the Congress left much important work
unfinished. Much of this legislatio
will be taken up fer consideration in
the winter session, though it will be
impossible, in the opinion of admins
tration leaders, to consider all of it
before adjournment March 4 next.
Some of the subjects uncompleted are
the following:
Government purchase of merchant
vessels advanced as part of the war
emergency program but postponed by
agreement with the President until
next session.
Revision of immigration laws in
Guiding an illiteracy test, passed by
the House and approved by Senate
committee but never passed in Senate.
Regulation of development of water
power in navigable streams.
Bill providing for leasing of mines
and other natural resources on public
domain.
Bill providing eventual independence
for the Philippines which passed the
House but was deferred until next ses-
sion by Senate.
Bill to provide rural credits legisla-
ton by establishment of a system of
farm mortgage banks.
Resolution providing for submission
of Constitutional amendment granting
suffrage to women, passed in House,
defeated in Senate and re-introduced.
Bill to provide for submission of
Constitutional amendment for National
Prohibition.
National direct primaries for nomi-
nation of Presidential candidates.
Ol TdIlIO6u StOChS ana
bonds by the Interstate Commerce
Commission undertaken as part of
anti trust program but deferred.
Measure for regulation of stock ex-
changes and boards of trade under
taken and reported by Senate Commit
| tee on Banking and Currency.
Bill for greater safety at sea and
amelioration of condition of sailors,
passed by both Houses, considered in
conference and recommitted to Senate
Committee on Commerce.
Measure for limitation of campaign
contributions.
Constitutional amendment limiting
service of a President of United States
to a single term.
National all to building of good
roads. bills for which were reported
this session.
Reorganization of the civil service.
! Measure providing for government
licensing of cotton warehouses, which
passed the Senate but was held up in
The House, and other measures con-
| templated for relief of cotton situation
in the South.
| Interesting features of the sessio :