Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1915-03-04

Washington, March 3.-The Sixty.
third Congress, first under complete
domination of the Democratic party
since 1895, will end today at noon
1t had been in almost continuous
session since President Wilson'S in
augura'ion two years ago. Begin.
ming with an extra session called by
tina President April 7, 1913. The con
gress has worked actually 637 days.
Much important legislation was &C,
complished, but much contemplated,
some of it hard pressed by the Presi-
dent and party leaders, was left un-
done. 1t is the present intention OF
the President and his advisors to give
Congress a rest. Rather than force
an extra session, they would leave
the remainder of the administrators
constructive aspirations to a new Con.
gress next winter, which, although
under Democratic control, will have a
greatly reduced majority in the
House.
Foremost in the enactments of the
Sixty-third congress were:
The UnderWoOd-Simmons tariff act,
with the income tax, which replaced
the Payne-Aldrich tariff law.
The Federal Reserve Act, reorgan-
izing the currency system.
Antitrust laws to supplement the
Sherman act, including the Clayton
aw and Federal Trade Commission
vet, thu former providing for punish
ment Of individuals who violate bus
mess regulations and the latter estab.
fishing q government Institution to
hid in keeping business within the
law.
Repeal Of tina Panama Canal tolls
exemption for American coast.wise
shipping.
Act directing the building at a cost
VI $35.O00,00o of a government rail
-oad to the mineral fields of Alaska.
Act to regulate cotton exchanges
md to penalize dealings in purely
speculative cotton future sales.
A special internal revenue tax, COM
monty called the war tax"
A government war risk insurance
bureau to insure American ships
;.gainst the hazards of war, and an
,ct providing for the transfer Of for
,ign-owned or built ships to Ameri-
an registry.
The Paramount Measures.
or these MEASURES (which failed of
enactment or could not be considered
or lack of time, the following are
regarded by Democratic leaders as
paramount:
Bill for government purchase Or
charter of transoceanic ships for the
establishment Of an American mer-
chant marine which encountered the
most stubborn filibuster in the history
of the senate, created an insurgent
movement in the Democratic ranks,
md held up general legislation foi
weeks in the last session.
The immigration bill, including a
iiteracy test for admission of aliens,
which passed both houses, was We
ced by President Wilson and failed
by a narrow margin to repass the
House on a motion to oyerturn the
veto.
Cons rvation measures urged by
The President to provide a new sys.
tenn for leasing of water power sites
and a leasing system to open the min.
,ral resources CT the country.
ELL to enlarge the measure Of
philippine self-government and to ex.
tend promise Of ultimate indep"nd-
nee - Filipino people, a measure
Nhic'' ;Ssesed the House and was ap-
"rova' ~ a s late committee.
R r''tic1 BY the Interstate Com
mr""n Ct-t1H sion Of the issue of
a'lroaG seG#iiics. originally a part
# the adininist ration's antitrust pro-
gram.
Rir credits legislation contcm-
.%"'"ti,s" Ne cs'a> l;shment of a system
f farm mnr:oace loan banks. persist
~ II >'"rrod thrcv hcut the Congress.
In 'diticn TO the FOREGOING. scores
# general legislative bills covering
/" wide range Of subjects, died with
'lle end of the CoIgr"ss, among them
for federal road improve
ment, general waterway development.
reorganization Of the civil service, to
prohibit importation of convict made
Goods. and several measures for re-
organization of the army.
Two Great Issues Fail.
The last session Of The Congress
notable, too, for, the failure of
two great issues, national prohibition