South Bend news-times., 1915-03-04
Appropriations During Almost
Continuous Session Since
April 7, 1918, viii Exceed
Two Billion Dollars.

WASHINGTON, March 4.-The fall
OF gavels in the senate and house at
noon today brought to an end the re-
markabIe 65rd congress, which has
been in almost continuous session
since April :, 1913. and viii be his
toric for the amount of major legis-
Iation enacted.
The appropriations of this congress
are the highest on record while the
vast amount of important legislation
enacted chronicles the high mark for
congressional labor.
Appropriations at the first session
of the congress reached the enormous
total of $1,116,O0O,0OO and the sums
appropriated in the closing days OF
the sessions ended today probably VIII
be as great. Detailed figures viii not
be obtainabIe until the perfected bills
are totalled, together with the perm
anent annual appropriations but il Is
estimated that the 63rd congress has
levied tribute Of nearly two billion
and a quarter dollars upon the federal
treasury.
When the new congress conVenes,
whether in regular or in eNtraordin-
AIRY session, the important bills which
died today Will be resurrected and
pressed for action. These bills, to
which the administration is commit
ted, include the Jones Philippine in
dependence bill; the ship purchase
measure and the entire conservation
program.
Began With Heavy Work.
Pres't Wilson called the new con-
Sress into session within few days
r. L. D. .g-lre
of the extra session began with the
repeal of the Payne-Aldrich tariff law
and the enactment of currency legisla-
ton. This extra. session merged into
the regular session which began Dec.
/. 1913. and the regular session con-
tinued throughout another summer,
expiring on oct "A, 1914. on that
date the new congress had been in
session 567 days without a recess.
The tired legislators were given a
brief respite from Oct. % TO Dec. :,
1914, on which latter day they reas-
sembled for the final session of the
63rd congress, expiring today.
Aside from its appropriation for the
operation of the government and it's
varied activities, the important legisla-
tive achievements Of the 63rd congress
are as follows:
The passage Of the Underwood
tax provision.
The passage of the Glass-Ow cur
rency BILL establishing the existing
federal reserve system.
Amendment of the Sherman anti
trust law by the passage of the Clay
ton antitrust bill.
The passage of the Covington bill
establishing the federal trade COM
Passage in the house was obtained
for the railroad securities but this
measure was not reached in the SEN
ate.
The passage of the Smith-Lever ag-
riculture extension bill.
Passage of the Alaskan railroad
bill, providing for the government
ownership and operation OF a $35,
100000 railroad in Alaska.
The enactment of an emergency
war revenue tax calculated to raise
$9O.000,000 to offset the losses re-
sulting from the falling off of imports
with the beginning of the European
war.
A bill consolidating the life saving
service and the revenue cutter service
and creating out of the combined
service a coast guard.
A legislative rider TO the naval ap-
preparation bill az this session abolish
ing the plucking board and also Great
ing a naval reserve
The passage of the I.aFollette sea
mans bill designed to better condi-
tions of seamen and to promote the
safety o. passengers.
Some Measures That Died
In addition To these bills Of major
importance, which became laws a
number of measures reached the half
way stage by passing one house only
TO fail TO receive consideration in the
other. CHIEF among these are:
The AdamsOn water power bill for
the development of water power on
navigable streams.
The Ferris bill to develop water
power on the public domain.
A bill for the leasing of coal. oil,
gas. phosphate and mineral lands.
The Philippine independence bill.
All these bills passed the house but
were not taken up ia the senate. The
radium conservation bill also includ-
ed in the conservation program. was
reported from the house committee
but was not passed.
Both houses passed the immigration
bill only 10 have il vetoed By the
president because Of the literacy test.
A motion TO override the veto failed
in the house of Representatives.
After bitter fights the house also
voted down, during the short session.
constitutional amendments providing
for woman suffrage and nation wide
prohibition.
Another measure which failed was
the administration ship purchase bill
which encountered "a record breaking
senate nlibuster.
Many Investigations.
In the investigating line both houses
showed activity. The senate and
house each investigated the SO-called
lobby at the capital follOwing the
Mulhall charges. The senate also in
vestigated the West Virginia coal
strike and the house Investigating
committee took note OF the coal strike
in Colorado and the copper strike in
Michigan. The house judiciary com
mittee investigated charges against
three federal judges one resigned.
another was found not subject 10 inn
peachmeut. and the third investiea-
tion was dropped.
The senate and house each had it's
nlibuster during this congress. the re-
publican flibuster in the upper cham