Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1916-09-09
TWO BILLION DOLLAR CONGRESS ADJ0uRNS
Review of Work
Done by Congress

first session of the sixty-fourth con-
gress which adjourned today was con-
cerned chiefly with national defense.
When the gavel fell congress had
directed reorganization and reeQuip-
ment Of the army and navy for de-
Tense of the country at the 'unprece-
dented cost Of $685., 100000 with auth
or1xations that will increase the total
in three years to nearly $8O0,000,000.
With all other expenditures, approp-
riations were brought to the grand to-
tai of 1857 ,682, the greatest ag-
gregate in the country's history and
exceeding that for the last fiscal year
by more than half billion dollars.
Expenditures, necessitated by pre-
paredness and the calling into action
of military forces to meet the Mexican
demanded revenue legisla-
tion In the closing days of the session.
Congress responded by doubling the
normal tax on incomes, creating an
tax, munitions tax and mis-
cellaneous excise taxes to raise $205-
100000 and by directing sale Of $3.50
100000 Panama canal bonds
Congress established q tariff COM
mission government shipping
board to rehabihtate the American
merchant marine; workmen's COM
pesation commission to administer
new uniform compensation law: \
farm loan banking system; a child
labor law; enlarged the system OF
self government in the Philippines
and enacted many other important
laws which had been contemplated by
the administration.
The. session was disturbed through
out by frequently recurring threats
of foreign complications from the
European war and imminence at one
time of diplomatic break with Ger
many; interference with American
mails and commerce, invasion Of
American soil and killing Of Ameri-
cans by Mexican bandits, and danger
of actual war with Mexico.
Later in the session trouble arose in
the senate over the nomination Of
Louis. d. Brandeis Of Boston, to suc-
ceed the late Justice Lamar az men,
ber Of the supreme court. Weeks OF
Investigation and deliberation by the
Judiciary committee ended In confir-
jority.
MO6I lIIpOTIdul l08l6IdILFo oAdCS
ments of the session, exclusive Of laws
for national defense, included the fol-
lowing: .".
Government Ship Law - Appropri-
ating $50,0OO,00O to operate ships in
foreign and coastwise trade when un-
able to lease them to individuals or
private corporations. 49,
Child Labor Law Denying inter
state commerce to products of mines,
and quarries employing children under
sixteen years of age and factories,
mills, canneries and other establish
ments employing children under four
teen years r
Rural Credits Law: Establishing a
farm loan board In control Of system
Of farm loan mortgage banks.
Workmen's Compensation Law: Pro.
viding uniform sick and accident bsne-
fits for employees of the federal gov
ernment and benefits to dependents
in case Of death.
Emergency Revenue law - Provid-
ing for doubling tho normal income
tax on the lowest class; making an
additional surtax ranging from one
per cent on that portion of incomes
exceeding $4,000 to 13 per cent on
amount OF incomes in excess Of g.
100000; levying a graduated tax Of
one to ten per cent on inheritances
ranging from @50,000 to $5,0O0,OOO; a
ten per cent net profit tax on manu-
facturers Of munitions, five per cent
net profit tax on manufacturers Of ma
terials entering into munitions; H.
cense tax on actually invested capital
n$4 1$ ffo1f ~
more than $4,000; wine, beer and
liquor excise taxes and miscellaneous
stamp taxes.
Good Roads Law Providing for co
operative federal aid to the states for
construction Of highways and approp-
Rating $7b,00O,O00 to be spent in five
years.
Postal Savings Law Amendment
increasing the amount which individ.
uals may deposit from $500 to $1,000
with interest and an additional 81 1000
without interest.
Federal Reserve Amendments,
including amendment to the Clayton
antitrust law permitting officers and
directors Of member banks to become
officers and directors of not more
than two other non-competing banks;
amendments permitting national
banks to establish foreign branches,
liberalising regulations for discounting
commercial paper and permitting
member banks in towns Of 5000 or
less population to act as agents for in
surance companies.
Railroad Legislation: Creation Of
Joint subcommittee Of senate and
house Interstate commerce committees
to investigate necessity for further
legislation for railroads and the inter
state commerce commission, question
of government ownership of public
utilities and comparative worth of gov
ernment ownership as against govern
ment regulation.
Tariff: Creation of non-partisan
tariff commission Of five members to
investigate and advise con gress on tar
iff revision; repeal Of the free sugar
provision of existing tariff law;
!; lcontinued on Rass 81