Grand Forks daily herald. (Grand Forks, N.D.) 1914-1916, 1914-10-24
Washington. Oct. 24.-rhe first reg

ClAl session CdlloO ny IIeSAueHe WA!
son q month after his Inauguration. II
is the longest sitting of congress In
the history Of the nation.
The work, including that Of the spe-
cial session for tariff reform and In
come tax provisions, represents the
legislative achievement Of h first
democratic congress since March 4,
1897. The chief enactments include
the new currency law. antitrust legis-
provision for American coastwise
ships in the Panama canal, and the
provision to build a government rail-
road in Alaska.
The congress was remarkable for
the fact that in less than two years
1t had to deal with conditions arising
from W foreign wars-the revolu-
ton in Mexico and the European con-
f1ict-and was on the verge Of facing
Mexico. Both of these situations de-
manded emergency legislation, some
Of which may have far reaching effect
upon the future course of the nation
in its foreign affairs.
As a rule the utmost cooperation
between democratic leaders in CON
gress and President Wilson marked
the session. although II notable
break occurred in the party over re-
pSAl vi Llio tD1lS p4oN ~ W. IN L oAA'
ma. canal act. This led to an align
ment which placed the president and
some of the party leaders on opposite
sides. Among those who took issue
with the chief executive being Speak
or Clark and Majority Leader Under
wood. Speaker C1ark's defense of his
opposition to repeal furnished one OF
the nos spectacular climaxes in the
history of the house.
nj .--1.;I>~x o~ooo~nI hefn~a jNfr$
sessions Of the house and senate on
five occasions. He delivered his gen
eral legislative message December Q.
Subsequent messages were on anti
trust legislation, the Mexican situa-
ton, pleading for continuation of
"watchful waiting" the tolls repeal
bill and the necessity for a war rev.
enue bill.
Most important Of the laws enact
ed by the congress since December
/, 1918. were:
Federal reserve act creating twelve
regional reserve banks, and federal
reserve board Of control and reform
ing the currency system.
Federal trade commission act Gre
atinR a. commission of five members
and absorbing the bureau Of corpora
tons to Investigate organization, con-
duct and practices of Industrial cor
pOIdLlUHSs Iil4uiIc lhlo uliioiI I'iii
petition and alleged violation of anti
trust acts: to aid the department Of
justice and the courts in the prosecu-
ton Of business offenders: to make
public information deemed to he of
public Interest relating to industrial
conditions and to recommend remedi-
al business legislation.
The Clayton antitrust act which
provides for guilt of individuals con-
nected with corporations convicted of
violating the antitrust laws. limits in
terlocking directorates. prohibits hold
ing companies which will lessen COM
petition. prevents exclusive and tying
contracts. liberalizes laws relating to
injunction and contempt and exempts
from prosecution under antitrust
laws agricultural. horticultural. r
ternal and labor organizations.
Act repeating provisions of the Pan
anna canal law exempting from pay
ment of tolls American vessels engag-
ed in coast-wtse shipping of the Unit
ed States.
The Alaska railroad law providing
for government construction and OPP
Grafton of 1000 miles of railroad with
telegraph and telephone lines. from
the lower Pacific coast to interior wa
tiers and mineral region of Alaska at
a cost not to exceed $4,000, 900.
Laws placing on a war footing the
volunteer militia and naval militia of
the states subjecting them in time of
war to the call of the signal corps Of
the army.
m stock exchanges, providing a tax
of 2 cents a pound or sales for future
delivery unless actually delivered un-
der conditions and grades established
by the department of agriculture.
Overehadowing much other i'm
portant legislation were emergency
measures demanded by the extraor-
binary conditions precipitated by the
war in Europe. Such legislation, en-
acted or about to become law includ-
ed the following
War revenue law imposing special
Internal revenue taxes to aggregate
approximate annual event. of s10s,-
100000 to offset estimated treasury
deficit due to loss Of customs receipts
during the European war.
Amendment to Panama Canal act
admitting to American registry for
eign built ships of American owner
ship to engage in oversees and South
American trade.
Emergency currency act PERMITTING
banks of national currency associa-
tons to issue circulating notes up ia
126 per cent of their unimpaired CAPT
tai and surplus and making available
w SAho VI io oASltl JlOT0 liz II
$1,000, 900, 900 Of emergency currency
Law creating in the treasury de-
partment a bureau of wal risk in
surance. appropriating $1,000. 900 to
insure ships Of American registry
against hazards of the European war
RESOLUTIONS ~appropriating $2,750,-
900 for protection n transportation
Of American citizens stranded in
European war zones and authorizing
the American Red Cross society to
charter a ship Of foreign register and
ny the American flag.
Appropriation Of $1,000. 900 for ex-
ira expense of diplomatic and con.
sular service in taking over embassies
legations and consular Offices Of war.
ring nations in Europe.
Before these unforeseen condition.
which demanded decisive action tc
cope with the European situation
congress had on It's hands for mos,
Of 1.-The session the threatening Mexi.
can.imbroglio which came to q climax
in stheIact Of reprtsal by the govern.
ment in the seizure of Vera Cruz
Many times the situation was critical
and. actual warfare with Mexico wa.
prevented only by the course of thu
administration and the cool heads IL
congress In preventing untoward ora.
t0racal outbreaks and unwise action
le1islatton growing out Of the Mexi.
car controversy was limited to the
following:
Resolution expressing congress Jus.
tidcation OF employment by the presi
dent Of armed forces Of the Unitet
Suites to enforce demands for affront,
and indisnities against this nation AMI
g~dieeiatn1ing any hostility to the Mexi
can people or any purpose to max.
war on Mexico.
APPROPRIATION Of $780, 900 for trans.
gaD0ttatiOn and care of interned Mexi
! soldiers and military refugees AM
g4xeese00S for relief and transportation
ESoSath0S United States Of America citi