El Paso herald. (El Paso, Tex.) 1901-1931, 1915-03-04

then took his seat again, TOO overcome
with emotion TO speak.
senator GaUinger offered resolu-
ton OF thanks to vice president Mar
shall for his services as presiding Oh
ficer of the senate.
Confession Marks Might Session
Confusion, disorder and noise were
the chief characteristics OF Sle ilnal
legislative squirt in the house. A large
attendance OF members and a larger
thronE OF spectators kept up a con-
slant hum Of conversation that at IlHles
grew to a roar. It was hushed now
and then by the frantic eIIoEtS o.
speaker Clark. who pounded his desk
with the gavel, admOnished the mem
beers on the floor and roundly lectureo
the galleries in vain endeavor TO pre-
serve the semblance OF order.
Fnsaes Civil War Claims.
The senate passed the omnibus civil
war claims. carrying approximately
s. 600. 600. with an amendment by SEN
ator Crawford, which would make sucn
claims hereafter subjec to findings OF
a court OF claims. This in effect would
terminate the liability for claims aris-
ing out Of the war.
A claims bill passed provides for pay
ment Of certain overtime charges TO
navy yard employees and an alteratlon
Of the army ana navy longevity service
act and also to make the term OF ser
vice begin with entrance into the mil
itary or naval academy or the ranks OF
the army.
The volunteer civil war officers re-
tirement pay bill also was passed VII
tually without debate.
In the flood Of miscellaneous legisla-
ton that swept the house resolution
was adopted without opposition piac-
ing the house on record as opposed 70
ans, reorganization OF the rural mall
service that will render that service
less effective or will lend in any way
10 reduce the number Of rural mail
routes"
Congress Worked So Days.
Congress has been in almost contin-
nous session since president wilson
inauguration two years ago. Beginning
with an extra session called by the
president April Z, 1913, the Congress
has worked actually 637 days.
Much important legislation was oc-
conplished, but much contemplated
some Of it hard pressed by the Pres
ident and party leaders, was left IN
What Congress Has Done.
Foremost in the enactments Of the
63rd congress were:
The Underwood Simmons tarltt act,
with the income tax, which replaced
Payne-Aldrich tariff law.
The federal reserve act, reorganizing
the currency system
Sherman act, including this Clayton law
and federal trade commission act, the
former providing for punishment or
individuals who violate business reg
ulations and the latter establishing
government institution to aid in keep
ing business within the law.
Repeal Of the Panama canal tolls eX-
emption for American coastWlse ship
act directing the building at a cost
OF s35, 600 900 Of a government railroad
70 the mineral fields Of Alaska.
Act to regulate cotton exchanges ana
10 penalize dealings in purely speculat-
i've cotton future sales
A special internal revenue tax, COM
monty called the war tax
government war risk insuraT ce
bureau 70 insure American ships
against the hazards OF war. and an
act providing for the transfer Of for
eign-oWned or built ships to American
registry.
OF these measures which failed Of
enactment or could net be considered
for lack Of time, the following are re-
garded by Democratic leaders as par
Bins which Failed.
Bill for government purchase or
charter Of transoceanic ships for the
establishment Of an American merchant
marine which encountered the most
stubborn filibuBter in the history or
the senate created an insurgent move
ment in the Democratic ranks and held
MP general legislation for weeks Of
the last session.
The immiEration bill, including
literacy test for admission Of aliens,
which passed both houses, was vetoed
by president Wilson and failed by a
narrow margin to repass the house
on motion to oyerturn the veto.
Conservation measures urged by the
president TO provide a new system for
leasing Of water power sites and a
leasing system to open the mineral re-
sources Of the country.
Bill to enlarge the measure OF Phi
lippine government and 10 extend
promise OF ultimate independence to
Filipino people.
uerce commission OF the issue Of rail-
road securities.
Rural credits legislation contemplate
ing the establishment Of a system Of
fam mortgage loan hanks
Prohibition And Suffrage Failed.
The last session OF the congress was
notable, too, for the failure OF two
great issues. national prohibition and
woman suffrage. Proposed cOnstitu-
tional amendments precipitated two Of
the mosu exciting legislative battles in
the history Of the house Of represent
stiyes both measures falling TO receive
8 necessary two-thirds vote
Many Treaties Ratified.
Foreign relations Of the nation were
constantly to the fore almost from the
beginning OF the congress. The Mexican
situation requiring close attention from
the outset as has the European war.
Throughout the session the president
and the senate foreign relations COM
mittee were in frequent conferences
and much was done TO restrain I'M
usual demonstrations which might have
disturbed international tranquility.
Early in the session general arbitration
treaties with several great foreign
powers were renewed for five year
periods and Is peace commission treat
les providing for investigation of IN
ternatiOnal disputes before resort to
arms were negotiated and ratified. A
treaty with Nicaragua providing for
requirement Of the Nicaraguan canal
route and naval stations for 49, 900. UJO
was left unratified by the senate and
the pending treaty with Colombia di-
recting payment OF $4,000, 900 for the
Panama canal strip was held up by
the foreign relations committee.
Changes In Z. $. Service.
Aside from appropriations about the
only important legislative enactments
included the creation of the coast
guard by consolidation of the life saw
ing and revenue cutter services: re-
classification Of grades in the dipio-
matte and consular service; requirement
Of registration OF and imposing special
taxes uDOu all Enalore rfr1vara