The Oskaloosa herald. (Oskaloosa, Mahaska County, Iowa) 1885-1919, 1914-01-15
CONGRESS MEETS;
BIG BILLS ARE UP
Amendment to Antitrust Law to
Be Acted Upon.
ACTION ON CANAL TOLLS NEAR
Resolution Provides for Suspension for
Two Years of Provision of Pana-
ma Act That Grants Free r
Tolls to Y. s. Ships.

Washington. Jan. 12.-Legislative
matters of great importance are be-
fore congress to be handled during the
present session which convened to-.
day following the Christmas recess.
While not as yet on the calendars Of
either house, an amendment to the
antitrust law will be taken up. follow
ing special message from President
Wilson recommending the adoption Of
clarifying amendment.
Some time during the season
the Adamson resolution introduced
just before the last session ad-
journed. will be brought up, and will
reopen all of the old controversy re-
garding the Panama canal tolls
The Adamson resolution provides for
the suspension for two years Of that
provision of tlN Panama. act which
will give free tolls to American coast
wise shipping. .'r
La Toilette Seaman's Bill.
Much interest has been displayed
in the La Toilette seamen's bill, which
is supposed to have the firm backing
of the Seamen's union and is said to
be opposed by the steamship COM
panies operating on the great lakes,
and along the coasts. There has been
much discussion of this bill among
members OF congress and it is evident
that there Is to be considerable con
troversy when it is brought up. The
| a kpIlatta hin hoe oJrcaIU Tho
senate and hearings have been held
upon 1t by the merchant marine and
fisheries committee of the house.
The La Toilette bill is said to con
tain rather drastic provisions rela.
tive to the safety to life and limb of
sells. The steamship companies as
sert that the adoption of the bill by
congress would put out OF business
every excursion steamer on the great
lakes and summer resort steamers
throughout the United States Some
were necessary to comply with the
provisions of such a law their steam.
ers would be crowded to capacity by
their crews and the large number of
life boats they would be compelled to
carry. The house committee will hold
further hearings on the bill and there
seems to be some belief that 1t will be
modified before being taken up on the
floor
On the calendar OF the senate is the
joint resolution providing for an
amendment to the constitution to give
suffrage to women. Suffragettes all
over the country will follow the
progress OF this resolution, and 1t is
likely that many of them will appear
before congress.
The Owen bill providing legislative
reference bureau, to give expert ad-
vice and information on legislative
matters to members of congress, mod
eled after the bureau maintained for
the benefit Of the legislature of Wis
cOnsin, is also well up on the senate
calendar
Other important Matters.
In the house the Alaska railroad bill
is among the most important matters
HedulHs the Cdleuudf. OIHef malt6TS
pending before this branch of con.
gress are the joint resolution provid-
Ing for the appointment Of a commit
tee to investigate and report a plan
for national aid to vocational educa-
ton, and the District Of Columbia ap-
preparation bill. The Adamson bill
for the establishment Of public
health service of greater scope than
the public health and marine hospital
service will come before the house.
az we'll as the Clapp bill, which passed
the senate last session. prohibiting the
sending of campaign contributions
from one state to another. and which
heads the house calendar. Following
the Clapp bill on the schedule are the
Booher bill, relative to Interstate COM
merce In convict-made goods, and the
Burnett bill to regulate immigration
containing an educational provision.
This bill, which was passed by the
last congress and vetoed by President
Taft, is almost certain again to arouse
a storm of controversy. 1t was report
ed to the house only after hot fight
I'm committee