Clinch Valley news. [volume] (Jeffersonville, Va.) 18??-2019, 1914-10-16
WORKOF CONGRESS
COVERS Wide AREA
Many Subjects Embraced in the
Scope of First Democratic
Congress in Years.

gress which began December 1, 1918.
Is about to be concluded. Begun as
an uninterrupted continuation of the
special session called by ircsiden;
Wilson month after his inaugura-
! ton, IL rs the longest sitting of con-
gress in the history of the nation.
The work, including that of the
special session for tanill reform and
income tax provisions, represents the
| legislative achievement of the last
Democratic congress since March A.
1895. The achievements include the
new currency law, antitrust lcgisla-
ton, repeal of the toll exemption pro-
vision for American coastwise ships
IN the Panama canal, and the provis-
ion to build II government railroad in
Alaska.
The congress was remarkable for
the fact that in less than two years
it had to deal with conditions arising
from two foreign wars-the revolution
III Mexico and the European conflict
and was on the verge of facing II war
between the United States and Mexico.
Both of these situations demanded
emergency Legislation, some of which
may have far reaching effect.
AS rule the utmost cooperation
between Democratic leaders in con
eress and President Wilson marked
the session, although one notable
break occurred i'll the party over re-
peal of the tolls provision of the Pan
amn canal act. This led to an align
ment which placed the president and
some OF the party leaders on oppo-
site sides, among those who took
issue with the chief executive being
Speaker Clark and Majority Leader
Underwood. Speaker Clark's defense
of his opposition to repeal furnished
one of the most spectacular climaxcs
in the history of the house.
The president appeared before the
joint sessions of the house and SEN
ate on five occasions. He delivered
his general Legislative message De-
cember 2. Subsequent messages were
on antitrust Legislation, the Mexican
situation, pleading for continuation Of
"watchful Waiting" the tolls repeal
bill and the necessity for IL war rev.
enue bill.
Most important of the laws enacted
by the congress since December /,
1913, 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 ere
ating n commission of five members
and absorbing the bureau of corpo-
rations to investigate organization,
conduct and practice of industrial COM
petition and alleged violation of anti
trust acts; to aid the department of
justice and courts in the prosecu-
tion of business offenders; to make
public information deemed to be of
public interest relating to the indus
trial conditions and to recommend
remedial business legislation.
The Clayton antitrust act which
provides for guilt of individuals con-
nected with corporations convicted of
violating the antitrust laws limits
interlocking directorates, prohibits
| combines which will lessen competi-
ton, prevent exclusive and trying con-
tracts, liberalizes laws relating to in
junction and contempt and exempts
from prosecution under antitrust
laws agricultural horticultural, fra
ternal and labor organizations.
Act repeating provisions of the Pam
anna canal law exempting from pay
ment of tolls American vessels engag-
en- in coast-wise shipping of the Uni
ted 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
waters and mineral region of Alaska
at cost not to exceed $35,00O,000.
Laws placing on 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 n tax
of two cents a pound on sales for
future delivery unless actually dcliv-
cred under conditions and grades es-
tablished by the department of ag-
riculture.
Overshadowing much other impor-
tant legislation were emergency meas
ures demanded by the extraordinary
conditions precipitated by the war
in Europe. Such legislation, enacted