Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1914-10-15

IfEuiIl ~f~NltH wi nv tiAhN Anith "
grcss which began December 1. 1919. il
about Ia he concluded Begun as an
uninterrupted continuation Of the spe
cial session called by President Wilson
"a month after his Inauguration. il il the
longest sitting of Congress ~ the his
tory Of the nation.
The work. including that Of the special
session for tariff reform and income tan
provisions, represents the Legislative
achievement Of the first Democratic Con.
gress since March 4. 1891. The chief
cnactments include the new currency
law, antitrust legislation. repeal of the
toll exemption provision for American
coastwisc ships in the Panama canal,
and the provision To build a government
railroad in Alaska.
The Congress was remarkable for the
fact that in less than two years il had
Ia deal with conditions arising from two
foreign wars-the revolution in Mexico
and tine European conflict-and was 81
the verge of facing a war between the
United States and Mexico. Both Of these
situations demanded emergency lcgisla-
ton, some Of which may have far reach
ing effect upon the future course of the
nation i'm its own foreign affairs.
AS "a rule the utmost cooperation he
tween Democratic leaders in Congress
and President Wilson marked the SEES
sion. although one notable break oc.
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
t..... c..u.l.. fI.rl u.AI AInfArIfx anl
or Underwood. Speaker Clark's defense
of his opposition Ia repeal furnished one
III the most spectacular climaXeS in the
history Of the House.
The President appeared before joint
sessions Of the House and Senate ON five
occasions. lie delivered his general leg
i~slative message. December :. Sub>e-
qucnt messages were on antitrust lcgiS-
lation. the Mexican situation. pleading
for continuation 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 December |. 1919.
were:
Federal Reserve Act creating twelve
Regional Reserve Banks. and Federal
Reserve Board Of Control aud reforming
the currency system.
Federal Trade Commission Act Great
ing "a commission of five members and al
sorbing the Bureau of Corporations To
investigate organization. conduct aud
practices Of industrial corporations: IA
Quirc into unfair competition and ~
legged violation Of antitrust acts; - aii
the Department Of Justice and he courts
In the prosecution of business offenders:
Ia make public information dccmcl to hc
of public interest relating to Industrial
conditions and In recommend remedial
business legislation.
The Clayton Anti Trust Act which
provides for guilt nf Individuals con
ncctcd with corporations convicted ~
violating the anti trust laws. limits ~
t~crlocking dircctoratc>. prohibits hold
ing companies which will lessen compe
tition, prevents exclusive AMI tying con
tracts, libcralizcs laws relating To in
junction and contempt. AMI cXcmpts from
prosecution under antitrust law a.ri-
cultural. horticultural. fraicrnal and lab
or organizations.
Act repeating provisions Of the Pan
anna Canal law. cNemptime from plNmcnt
IF tolls American vessels engaged IA
coastwise shipping Of the United states.
The Alaska railroad law providing tor
government construction and oprration
Of 1000 miles Of railroad with telegraph
and telephone lines. ron the lower Pa
ciiic coast Ia interior waters and mineral
region of Alaska al a cost not Ia exceed
$751; o 900.
Laws placing on a war tooting the vol
untccr militia aud naval militia of the
states subiccting them IN time Of war I"
the call of the Signal Corps of the army.
Law regulating cotton future sales on
Stock Exchanges. providing 4 tax Of :
cents a pound on sales for future dcliN-
cry unless actually delivered under con
ditions aud grades established 10y the
Department of Agriculture.
O~vcrshadowing much other important
legislation were emergency measures lie
mandc.l by the extraordinary conditions
precipitaird b, the war in Europe.
Such legislation. enacted Or about {" hc
come law included the following meas
urcs:
War Revenue law imposing special in
ternal revenue taxes Ia aggregate an
proximate annual revenue of ~in> nhn.eon
Ia offset estimated Treasury deficit due
Ia loss ~ customs receipts during the
European war.
Amendment a. Panama Canal Act ad.
hitting "a American Registry foreign
built ships of American ownership 10
engage in overseas and South American
trade.
Emergency Currency Act permitting
hanks of national currency associations
a. issue circulating. notes M ~ II per
cent. ~ their nninp iir~l capital and
surplus aud making available To banks