Evening star., 1914-10-25

and urged for ratification. but held up
in the Senate for further consideration,
are with China, Panama and Santo Do
mingo. A similar treaty has peen
the Senate later.
Much time was given by the com
mittee for hearings and consideration
of treaty with Nicaragua. to acquire
station rights in the Bay of Fonseca
for 100000, and the treaty with
Colombia to pay that country $25,0oo.-
600 in compensation for the Panama
canal strip. Action on both treaties
was deferred until next session.
Congressional Investigations.
Investigations by Congress were less
than has been undertaken in recent
sessions. The special lobby investi-
eating committee of the Senate, how
probed into alleged lobbying in con-
ma canal act and the subsequent re-
peal of the tolls exemption provision.
The committee has not yet made
final report. The House lobby COM
for REPRESENTATIVE McDermott Of nii-
nois. who resigned his office. Investi-
cation by the interstate commerce
commission into the financial operation
Of the New York, New Haven and
Hartford Railroad Company and the
Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific rail-
way were Instituted by resolutions of
Congress: Investigations also were
conducted by Senate and House COM
mittees into the West Virginia coal
the Colorado coal strike. Inquiries
leading to impeachment proceedings.
which eventually were dropped, were
conducted by the House judiciary COM
m q q Int ha off ofvo of vtyAc c0
Thew Wright Of the Supreme Court of
the District of Columbia and Emory F.
Spear, United States circuit judge for
the southern district of Georgia.
the Congress left much important work
unfinished. Much of this legislation
will be taken up for consideration in
the winter session, though 1t will be
impossible. in tho opinion Of admins
tration leaders, to consider all of it
before adjournment March 4 next.
Some Of the subjects uncompleted are
the following:
Government purchases of merchant
vessels. advanced as part of the war
emergency program but postponed by
agreement with the President until
next session.
Revision of immigra ton laws, includ-
ing an illiteracy test, passed by the
mittee, but never passed in Senate.
! Orner LAWS Enacted.
Regulation Of development Of water
power in naVigable streams.
Bill providing for leasing of mines and
other natural resources on public domain.
Bill providing eventual independence for
the Philippines, which passed the House,
but was deferred until next session by
Senate.
10 lao oil m
by establishment of a system of farm
mortgage banks.
Resolution providing for submission Of
constitutional amendment granting suf-
frage to women passed in House de-
feated in Senate and reintrOduced.
Bill to provide for submission of con-
stitutional amendment for national prohi-
bition.
National direct primaries for nomina
ton of presidential candidates.
Regulation of railroad stocks and bonds
by the interstate commerce commission
undertaken as part Of antitrust program,
but deferred.
Measure for regulation of stock ex
changes and boards of trade undertaken
and reported by Senate committee on
banking and currency.
Bill for greater safety at sea and
of condition Of sailors passed
by both houses, considered In conference
and recommitted to Senate committee on
commerce.
Measure for Limitation of campaign con-
tributions.
Constitutional amendment limiting serv-
ice of President of the United States to
a single term.
National aid to building of good roads.
bills for which were reported this session.
Reorganiza ton of the civil service.
Measure providing for government
licensing of cotton warehouses. which
passed the Senate. but was held up In
the House, and other measures contem-
plated for relief of cotton situation in
the south.
Controversy Over Appointments.
Interesting features of the session
were controversies in the Senate over
several of the Presidents appointments
The nomination of H. NJ. Pindell of
Peoria to be ambassador to Russia led
to prolonged inquiry by the Senate
committee on foreign relations. The
nomination was once withdrawn. Mr..
Pindell' was later renamed, and was or
dered confirmed by the Senate, follow
ing which Mr.. Pindell asked the Presi-
dent to withdraw his name. The nomi-
nation Of Thomas D. Jones of Chicago,
director of the International Harvester
Company, as a member of the federal
reserve board precipitated a struggle
in the Senate committee on banking
and currency. In the midst Of the fight
Mr.. Jones requested the President to
withdraw his name. The nomination of
Paul M. Warburg of New York as
member of the federal reserve board
also stirred up controversy, Mr.. War
burg once refusing to appear before
the banking and currency committee
He eventually yielded. and his appoint
ment was confirmed by the Senate
Two senators-William o. Bradley Of
Kentucky. republican, and Aupustus O.
Bacon Of Georgia. democrat-died dur
ing the session. Three deaths occurred
in the House membership-Repres
tives Irving S. Pepper Of Iowa, Robert
G. Bremner of New Jersey and William
of Alabama. all democrats.