East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1914-12-31


WASHINGTON. Dec. sl.-one of
the busiest legislative years in the
history OF American congressman end
ed today with the recess of congress
over New Years Day. Except for a
six weeks adjournment, the nation
al legislators were in continuous ses-
sion from January 10. 1914, until to-
day. This statement would not be
fair, IL allowed to stand, however,
without the further comment that
prior to January ~, congress had
been in session continuously since the
incoming Of the Wilson administration
March 1, 1913.
Perhaps the most important piece
OF legislation enacted during the year
was the law providing for the new
banking and currency system. Gre
ating from to IL regional reserve
banks (later fixed at 12) under the
direction of a federal reserve board.
and providing for the reserves of all
national, and many OF what had pre-
viously been state banks, to be kept
with the federal banks, instead Of
with correspondent banks In central
reserve cities. as previously, this was
probably the most radical reform in
the currency system Of the country
ever put into effect. The provision
for the discounting of commercial pa
per by the member banks, and the
issuance Of new currency to cover this
discounting by the reserve banks, pro-
vided what was thought to be a
strong preventative OF panics, and
provided also a sure remedy against
temporary stringencies in the amount
of actual currency on hand, especial
ly at such times as when the crops
are moved.
Another act OF the year, that pro-
viding for the construction of a rail-
road in Alaska at a cost of $35, ,000,-
000 and its operation after compile.
ton by the government, was tremen-
duously important from two differ
ent viewpoints. 1t provided for the
opening up for use by the people, OF
what President Wilson Is fond OF call
ing that storehouse OF riches. Incl
ientally, 1t is regarded by some as
ong step toward government owner
ship of all Of the railroads. Certain
y. as 1t is operated year by year, It |
will form at least the basis OF COM
Darison with the privately owned
railroads in the United States.
One OF the bitterest fights OF the
rear was over the repeal Of the tolls
exemption clause for American owned
,oastwise ships passing through the
Panama canal. The passage of this
Ict means that every coastwise ship
passing through the big ditch will
lave to pay its way. just as though 1t
we're an American ship In the for
ign trade. or for that matter a for
ign owned ship.
Two important measures of the So
allied antitrust program were enact
d during the year. One OF these
reated the federal trade commission.
fhich will exercise much the same
ort of power over industrial corpor-
tions as those exercised over the
lterstate commerce commission, thus
ringing both sorts of companies un-
er federal control.
A number of important bills were
assed by the house which were not
nacted because of the failure OF the
enate to pass them. These Include
he immigration bill. including the
imous literacy test, which would re-
Lrict immigration. and modify the
ules regarding II to meet the opin-
IN OF a number of authorities on I'M
iigration. Two OF the most Import
nt Of the conservatin bills, that pro-
lding for the leasing of water pow
r sites now withheld from entry and
ne general dam bill. were also pass
A by the house but not by the sem
te during the year, while one BILL
.e La Toilette seamen's bill, passed
9th houses (the senate prior to this
ear. however) but in such different
,rms that no agreement was reach
a during the year between the TWO
ouses
Congress passed a resolution jusu-
ling the presidents action in order
,q an invasion of Mexico at Vera
ruz following the insult to the Am
rican flag at Tampico by soldiers
irectly responsible to Huerta at that
me dictator OF Mexico.
Twenty six peace treaties. most OF
lem the breathing spell variety pro-
ding for one year to interpose after
nv overt act before any hostilities
Mould occur. we're ratified by the
mate. The upper house also receiV-
more than 5000 nominations from
10 president and ratified most OF
lem.
There were bitter fights over many
: them incidentally, especially, Paul
/ Warburg and Thomas d Jones
" the federal reserve board. the
rat of whom was confirmed and the
cond withdrawn; Attorney General
cReynolds. to be justice OF the su
-eme court John Shelton Williams
no comptroller of the currency. IN
rstate Commerce Commissioner
aniels. and Henry NJ Pindell, to De {
nbassador to Russia. Some OF the
ost important pieces Of legislation OF
"a year were those resulting from
e European war-the war emer- I
.ncy bills.
one OF these put the government
to the insurance business. that pro- =
ding that the government should \
~wrEan