The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1914-10-17
GID CONGRESS is
LONGEST ON RECORD
Included in Its Achievements Are New
Currency Law, Antitrust Legisla-
ton and Repeal Of Ship Toll Ex-
emption Provision in Panama.


tinuation of the special session calle
by President Wilson month after hi
Inauguration, it is the longest sttinl
of Congress in the history of the nation
The work. including that of the spe
cial session for tariff reform and incom
tax provisions, represents the legisla
tive achievement of the first Demo
cratic Congress since March 4, 1897. Thu
chief enactments include the new cur
rency law, antitrust legislation, repea
OF the toll exemption provision To-
American coastwise ships in the Pana ms
canal, and the provision to build gov
eminent railroad in Alaska.
The Congress was remarkable for thu
fact that in less than two years it had
to deal with conditions arising from two
foreign wars-the revolution in Mexico
and the European contilct--and was or
the verge of facing war between the
United States and Mexico. Both OF
these situations demanded emergency
legislation, some OF which may have
/ ar-reaching effect upon the future course
OF the nation in its foreign affairs.
| As a rule the utmost co operation be-
tween Democratic leaders in Congress
and President Wilson marked the SEES
sion, although one notable break oe-
Cured in the party over repeal OF the
! tolls provision of the Panama canal act.
| This led to an alignment which placed
| the president and some of the party
leaders on opposite sides. Among those
who took issue with the chief executive
were Speaker Clark and Majority Lead
er Underwood Speaker Clark's defense
of his opposition to repeal furnished one
OF the most spectacular climaxes in the
history of the House.
The president appeared before joint
sessions OF the House and Senate on
five occasions. He delivered his general
legislative message Dec. 2. Subsequent
messages we're on antitrust legislation,
the Mexican situation, pleading for con.
tinuation of "watchful waiting" the
tolls repeal bill and the necessity for a
war revenue bill.
Most important of the laws enacted
BY the Congress since Dec. /, 1918. were:
Federal reserve act creating II regional
reserve banks, and federal reserve board
OF control and reforming the currency
system.
Federal trade commission act creating
a commission of five members and abb
sorbing the bureau OF corporations to in
vestigate organization, conduct and prac-
tices of industrial corporations; inquire
into unfair competition and alleged vio-
lation of antitrust acts to aid the de-
partment OF justice and the courts in
the prosecution of business offenders;
to make public information deemed TO
be Of public interest relating to indus
trial conditions and to recommend re-
medal business legislation.
The Clayton antitrust act, which pro-
vides for guilt of individuals connected
with corporations convinced of violating
the antitrust laws, limits interlocking
directorates, prohibits holding companies
which will lessen competition, prevents |
exclusive and tying contracts, liberalizes |
laws relating TO injunction and con- |
tempt and exempts from prosecution I'm
der antitrust laws, agricultural. hort |
fraternal and labor organiza
tons
Act repeating provisions of the Pan
ma canal law exempting from payment |
IF tolls American vessels engaged in
,oastwise shipping Of the United States.
The Alaska railroad law providing for
government construction and operation
# 900 miles OF railroad with telegraph
md telephone lines, from the lower Pa.
fic coast to interior waters and mineral
egion OF Alaska at cost not to exceed
i35,000,000.
Laws placing on a war footing the
.olunteer militia and naval militia OF
he states. subiecting them in time of
var to the call Of the signal corps Of
he army.
Law regulating cotton future sales on
took exchange, providing q tax of two
ents pound on sales for future deliy
~ unless actually delivered under con-
itions and grades established by the de-
artment Of agriculture
overshadowing much other important
,gislation were emergency measures de-
handed by the extraordinary conditions
recipitated by the war in Europe. Such e
,gislation. enacted or about TO become ,
~ included the following measures:
War revenue law imposing special in :
arnal revenue taxes to aggregate APP
roximate annual revenue Of Sos 000n0
) offset estimated treasury deficit due
, loss Of customs receipts during tho !.
uropean war.
Amendment 70 Panama canal act ad.
lifting 10 American registry foreign :
nilt ships of American ownership 90 g
1gage in overseas and South American
'sde.
Emergency currency act permitting
lnks Of national currency associations
issue circulating notes up 20 l25 per
III 81 their unimpaired capital and sur N
he and making available 10 hanks Of
Ie country more than 81 600 00o0O0 IT
nergeuCy currency
Law creating Is the treasury depart
eut : bureau ~ war risk Insurance. II
lpfopriatinr s5W00po 70 insure shins
American registry against hazards Of
10 European wsr.
Resolutions arpr0priating s2750o10
" protecting and transportation Of
merican cittkems stranded IN Eurnpean
sr zoues aud authorizing thc Arnerioan
n Gross so-ietr 80 charter e shfr Of
reign register and e. tire American
a.
Appropriation 81 81 ha0010 n1a for rr.
} srfeuse Of diplomatic and eonsuiar
rrieo Be- taking oter emiass8es- lsEa-
rrs ard rrrsuiaF Offices Of warning re-.
n. fH Europe.
Hsfors thaze urf1rrseer conditions