The Goldfield news and weekly tribune. [volume] (Goldfield, Nev.) 1911-1947, 1914-10-17
Sitting OF congress
IS ABOUT TO COME TO AN end

first regular session of the sixty
third congress-. which began Deem
Der 1, 1913, Is about to be conclud-
ed. Begu mas an uninterrupted con
tinuation of the special session call
ed by President Wilson a month aft
er his Inauguration, 1t Is the longest
sitting of congress in the history of
the nation.
The work, including that of the
special session for tariff reform and
income tax provisions, represents the
legislative achievement of the first
democratic congress since March 4,
1895. The chief enactments in
clude the new currency law. anti
trust legislation, repeal Of the toll
exemption provision for American
coastwise ships in the Panama ca
nal, and the provision to build a
government railroad in Alaska.
The congress was remarkable for
the fact that in less than two years
it had to deal with conditions aris-
ing from two foreign wars-the rev.
olution in Mexico and the European
conflict-and was on the verge OF
facing a war between the United
States and Mexico. Both of these
situations demanded emergency leg
islation, some of which may have
far-reaching effect upon the future
course of the nation in its foreign
affairs.
AS a rule, the utmost cooperation
between democratic leaders In con-
gress and President Wilson marked
the session, although n notable
break occurred in the party over re-
peal of the tolls provision of the
Panama canal act. This led to an
alignment which placed the presi-
dent and some of the party leaders
on opposite sides. Among those
who took issue with the chief execu-
tive were Speaker Clark and Ma
jority Leader 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 SEN
ate on five occasions. He delivered
his general legislative message De-
cember 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 enact
ed by the congress since December
1, 1918, were:
twelve regional reserve banks, and
federal reserve board of control and
reforming the currency system.
Federal trade commission act
creating a commission Of five mem
bers and absorbing the bureau of
corporations to investigate organiza-
ton, conduct and practices of indus
trial corporations; inquire into un-
fair competition and alleged violation
Of antitrust acts; to aid the depart
ment of justice and the courts in the
prosecution of business offenders; to
iidhC puOIlC luLOl illotlOA uOOlAAOu ~
be of public interest relating to in
dustrial conditions aid to recon-
mend remedial business legislation.
The Clayton antitrust act, which
provides for guilt of individuals ON
nected with corporations convicted
of violating the antitrust laws, lin
it's i~nterlocking di%rectorates, pro-
hibits holding companies which will
lessen competition. prevents exclu-
sive and tying contracts, liberalizes
laws relating to injunction and con-
tempts and exempts from prosecution
under antitrust laws agricultural,
horticultural, fraternal and labor
organizations.
Act repeating provisions of the
Panama canal law e%xempting from
payment of tolls American vessels
engaged in coastwise shipping of the
United States.
The Alaskan railroad law provid-
ing for government construction and
operation of 1000 miles of railroad
with telegraph and telephone lines,
from the lower Pacific coast to in
terror waters and mineral region of
Alaska at a cost not to exceed $685.
100000.
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 a tax
of two cents a pound on sales for flu
ture delivery unless actually deliv-
cred under conditions and grades es-
tablished by the department of agri-
culture.
Overshadowing much other i'm
portant legislation were measures
demanded by the extraordinary con-
ditions precipitated by the war in
Europe. Such legislation, enacted
or about RI hooomo low include the