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

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, fraternal
and labor organizations Ha
Act repeating provisions of the Pan
anna Canal law exempting from pay
ment of tolls American vessels engag
ed in coast wise shipping of the Unit
ed States. --.77- s5H rs
The Alaska Railroad Law providing
for government construction and oper-
alton of 1000 miles of railroad with
telegraph and telephone lines, from the
lower Pacific coast to interior waters
and mineral region of Alaska at cost
not to exceed s35,000,000.
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.
Law regulating cotton future sales
on Stock Exchanges, providing tax
of two cents a pound on sales for flu
ture delivery unless actually delivered
under conditions ard grades establish
ed by the Department of Agriculture.
Overshadowing much other import
ant legislation We're emergency meas
ures demanded by the extraordinary
conditions precipitated by the war in
Europe. Such legislation, enacted or
about to become law included the fol-
lowing measures:
War Revenue law imposing special
internal revenue taxes to aggregate
approximate annual revenue of $685.
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 overseas and South
American trade.
Emergency Currency Act permitting
banks of national currency associa-
tons to issue circulating notes up to
125 per cent of their unimpaired cap
ital and surplus and making available
to banks of the country more than
$1,00000o000 of emergency currency.
Law creating in the Treasury De-
partment Bureau of War Risk Insur-
ance, appropriating $5,000,000 to insure
ships of American registry against
| hazards of the European War.
Resolutions appropriating S2,750,000
for protection and transportation of
American citizens stranded in Europe
an War zones and authorizing the
mo vii pal of tn n tor
ship of foreign register and fly the
American flag.
Appropriation of 81 900, 600 for extra
expense of Diplomatic and Consular
/ Service in taking over embassies, lega-
tions and consular offices of warning
nations in Europe.
Before these unforeseen conditions
which demanded decisive action to
! cope with the European situation, Con-
gress had on it's hands for most of the
session the threatening Mexican i'm
broglio which came to a climax n the
act of reprisal by the government in
the seizure OF Vera Cruz. Many times
the situation was critical, and actual
warfare with Mexico was prevented
only by the course of the administra-
ton and the cool hands in Congress in
preventing untoward oratorical out
breaks and unwise action. Legislation
growing out of the Mexican controver-
sy was limited to the following:
Resolution expressing Congress- JUS
LITIGATION of emplo yment by the Presi-
dent of armed forces of the United
States to enforce demands for at
fronts and indignities against this ma
ton and diselaiming any hostility To
the Mexican people or any purpose to
/ make war on Mexico.
Appropriation of $500, coo for trans
portation and care of interned Mexican
soldiers and military refugees and
100000 for relief and transportation
to the United States of America citi-
zens in Mexico.
Other legislation placed upon the
Statute looks included scores of loea'
Improvement laws, many measures re-
lating to land entries, and the follow
ing:
General appropriations for govern
ment expenses aggregating approx
mately $1,000. 0O0,o
Appropriation of 800, 100000 for rivers
and harbors improvements at discre-
tion of War Department, passed as
substitute for $53,000,000 specific appro-
priation bill after prolonged flibuster
Law granting public water supply
to city of San Francisco from Hetchy
valley in Yosemite National Park.
Act prohibiting Importation of opium
except for medicinal purposes under
Treasury regulation and placing pro-
hibition tax of $500 a pound on opium
manufactured in the United States fol
smoking purposes.
] Act authorizing payment of money
orders at any money order office ii
country although drawn on specified
| office.
| Appropriation of 100000 for treat
ment and eradication of hog cholera
and dourir1e.
| Law limiting labor to women in the
| District of Columbia to hours a day
| Agricultural extension act providing
for cooperation between Department
of Agriculture and State Agriculture
colleges in diffusion of information re-
lating to agriculture and home econo-
mics and providing for an ultimate
| annual appropriation of nearly $5,000,,
/ 900. 'tH -