The star-independent. [volume] (Harrisburg, Pa.) 1904-1917, 1915-03-04
First Body Under Com.
plete Con troll Of
Democratic Party in
20 Years
WAS IN SESSION
FOR 637 DAYS
Much Important Legislation Accom-.
plished While Many Measures Pro-
posed by President Wilson and
Party Leaders Failed of Passage

Washington, March 4.--The Sixty
third Congress, first under complete
domination of the Democratic party
since 1895, ended to-day at noon.
1t had been in almost continuous ses.
sIcn since President Wilson IS Inaugural
tion 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 ac-
complished, but much contemplated,
some of it hard pressed by the Presi,
dent and party leaders, was left undone
1t is the present intention of the Pres
ident and his advisers to give Congress
rest. Rather than force an extra
session, they would leave the remainder
of the administration s constructive as
pirations to new Congress next win.
ter, which, although under Democratic
control, will have greatly reduced ma
jority in the House.
Foremost in the enactments of the
Sixty-third Congress were:
The Underwood Simmons tariff act,
with the income tax, which replaceNthe
PayRe-Aldrich tariff law.
The Federal reserve act, reorganiz-
ing the currency system.
Antitrust laws to supplement- the
Sherman act. including the Clayton law
and Federal Trade Commission act, the
former providing for punishment of in
dividuals who violate business regula-
tions and the latter establishing a gov
ernment institution to aid in keeping
business within the law.
Repeal of the Panama canal tolls
exemption for American coastwise ship
ping.
Act directing the building at cost
of $35,0OO,OO0 0f government rail
road TO the mineral fields of Alaska.
Act to regulat. cotton exchanges and
to penalize dealings in purely specula-
tive cotton future sales.
A special internal revenue tax, COM
monty called the ''war tax
A government war risk insurance bu-
reau to insure American ships against
the hazards of war, and an act provid-
ing for the transfer of foreign owned
or built ships to American registry.
Of those measures which failed of
enactment or eonld not be considered
for lack of time, the following are re.
garled by Democratic leaders as para.
mount:
Bill for government purchase of
charter OF transoceanic ships for the es-
tablishment of an American merchant
marine, which encountered the most
stubborn filibuster n the history of the
Senate, created an insurgent movement
in the Democratic ranks and held up
general legislation for weeks of the
last session.
The immigration bill, including lit
eracy 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 overturn the veto.
Consery alton measures urged by the
President to provide 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 Phil
ippine self-government and to extend
promise IF ultimate independence to
Filipino people, measure which passed
the House and was approved by a
Senate cOmmitte.
Regulation By the Interstate Com
merce Commission Of the Issue of rail-
road securities, originally part of
the administration s antitrust program.
Rural credits legislation contemplat-
ing the establishment of a system of
farm mortgage loan banks, persStently
urged throughout the Congress.
In addition to the foregoing, scores
of general legislative bills covering
wide range of subjects died with the
end of the Congress. among them
for Federal road Improvement,
general waterway development, reOr-
ganization of the civil service, to Pro-
hibit importation Of eonvict-made