The daily Gate City. [volume] (Keokuk, Iowa) 1855-1916, 1915-03-04
SHIPPING BILL DEAD
AT ADJOURNMENT
lConLinued from page /.

| IA x40O ~ ~ KIN 4A4J4N =
! (ConLinued from page IL
least temporarily, depending upon for
eign developments.
Neutrality Resolution.
| WASHINGTON March 4.-Adminis-
tration officials today denied with con-
siderable emphasis the intimation that
the joint resolution passed by both
houses early today, giving the presi-
| dent power to enforce neutrality, car
ried with 1t power to lay embargoes
or declare war.
| 1t was stated that all that the state
department wanted-for it was at its
behest that congress acted-was that
| the executive be empowered to pre-
vent the misuse OF United States
ports by belligerents
1t is admitted that ships have
cleared from both the eastern and
western ports of the United States for
destinations that they were never
expected to reach and that they have
ltrans-shipped coal, provisions and
other supplies, to warships and auS-
iliary cruisers of both Germany and
England on the high seas. Under the
new regulation this will be impossible.
Where the president has the slightest
suspicion that any such plan Is in
tended, he may withhold clearance
papers.
AS originally drafted, the resolution
could have been construed as author1z-
ing the president to place embargo
on all exports OF war materials by
directing that clearance papers be
withheld. The house passed this res
olution, but the senate characterized
| it as too drastic and amended it to
provide that vessels carrying sup
plies and the like could only be held
up where tho collector had reason to
believe the cargoes were not intend
ed to be taken to the ports contained
in the manifest. ~
| In this form both houses passed
the resolution and sent It to the pres.
ident for his signature.
Ready to Sign Bills.
| WASHINGTON, March 4.-Presi-
dent Wilson, accompanied by Secre-
tary J. P. Tumulty, Executive Secre-
itary Rudolph Forster and his conf
dental stenographer, reached the cap
itol shortly after 10 a. m. today.
| he proceeded directly to his priv.
ate office in the senate wing and sent
word to the leaders Of both houses
that he was ready for business.
His early start curtailed materially
the planned reception at the executive
offices, but was made necessary be-
cause the engrossing force was far
behind in its work and it was deemed
best to have the executive close to
the executive machinery.
To congressman, the president ex.
pressed his delight over the work con-
Igress has done.
The president said his two years in
office had been a unique experience.
He said that he had missed most Of his
usual summer vacation and expressed
the hope that foreign and domestic
affairs would soon adjust themselves
SO that he could forget public busi-
ness for a BRIEF period and relax. He
confessed to being very tired, a con-
dition he attributed to being forced to
keen late hours. For three months
nightly in the study, the president has
sat oftentimes until the small hours OF
the morning, carefully scrutinizing
every document affecting the relations
of the United states with foreign ma
lions.
He told callers today that this was
the only time that he has had avail
able for this work and quietly ex-
planned that not a single communica-
ton Of any sort has been dispatched
4 for the state department without 20.
TX. w. W." on the margin.
II
/ "eig Business"
WASHINGTON, March 4.-Follow-
ing years of antitrust agitation, two
bills were passed to regulate 'big
business"
One, the federal trade commission
act, placed industrial corporations un-
der such supervision as the interstate
commerce commission exercised over
railroads With confirmation just be-
fore adjournment Of majority of the
trade board members, the commits
sion will begin work at once. Among
its duties, certainly in the presidents
opinion, will be the drafting OF a
scientific tariff system.
The other law, the Clayton anti
trust act, was aimed particularly at
unfair competition and trade methods.
1t was intended also to clarity the
Sherman laws twilight zone"
A third bill, which would have CIV
en- the interstate commerce commits
/ sion Jurisdiction over railway securi-
ties was passed by the house, but
died in the senate.
The president vetoed one of the
sessions most important measures,
the immigration bill.
Signing the Bills.
H WASHINGTON. March A. Presi-
dopt Wilson fnHa,- cipnad the I a Fol
lette seamen's bill, as amended In
conference, The bill provides better