White Bluffs spokesman. [volume] (White Bluffs, Wash.) 1907-1938, 1916-09-15
THELAST CONGRESS
MADE MANY LAWS
CRISIS WITH GERMANY, MExl.
CAN IMBRoGLlo AND RAIL
STRIKE GREAT ISSUES.
HISTORY OF PERFORMANCE
$8O0o0O,000 for Nations Defense
Tariff Commission and Farm Loan
Banks Authorized-ChiId La
Dor Law-Many Failed.

the 10th congress, which adjourned
September 8, was concerned chiefly
with national defense.
The crisis in congress over the in
ternational situation followed Ger
many's naval order to sink armed
belligerent merchant ships without
warning. Introduction of resolutions
warning Americans to keep off arm
ed merchantmen caused President
Wilson to halt diplomatic negotia-
tions and go to the capitol to de-
mand Showdown" The result was
the tabling of the Gore resolution in
the senate by vote of 68 to IA on
March 3, and of the McLemore res
olution in the house by a vote of
276 to 142 on March Z. Immediately
afterward the president sent to Ger
many and read to congress note
threatening to sever diplomatic re-
lations unless the German govern
ment Immediately effected modi-
fication of it's methods of submarine
warfare"
What 1t Did.
When the gavel fell congress had
directed reorganization and reequip-
ment of the army and navy for de-
Tense of the country at the unpre-
cedented cost Of s65500O,000, with
authorizations that will increase the
total in three years to nearly $780,
100000.
Congress established a tariff COM
mission, a government shipping board
to rehabilitate the American mer-
chant marine, a workmen's compen-
sation commission to administer a
new uniform compensation law, a
farm loan banking system, child
labor law, enlarged the system of
self-government in the Philippines,
railroad eight-hour day law-estab-
fishing eight hours as the standard
for reckoning the compensation of
railroad employees. operating trains in
interstate commerce after January 1,
1917, and providing for commits
sion of three to investigate the ef-
fects of the eight-hour standard, the
present wages not to be reduced
during the Investigation, nor for 80
days thereafter, and work in excess
of eight hours to be paid for at PR
rata rate, and enacted many ether
imrartant laws which had been con
templated by the administration.
Lots of Work.
The session was disturbed through
out by frequently recurring threats
of foreign complications from the
European war and imminence at one
time of a diplomatic break with
Germany; interference with Amer
lean mails and commerce.; invasion
Of American soil and killing Of Am
orleans by Mexican bandits, and dan
ger Of actual war with Mexico.
Later in the session trouble arose
in the senate over the nomination O.
Louis d. Brandeis of Boston, to sue
coed the late Justice Lamar as {
member of the supreme court. Weeks
of investigation and deliberation b.
the judiciary committee ended in con
firmation of Mr.. Brandeis by larg,
majority.
Averts Rail Strike.
In the week before adjournment
congress was occupied with legisla
ton which prevented threatened
nationwide railroad strike. Presi
dent Wilson, after futile negotiation
with officials Of the railroads ant
railroad brotherhoods, submitted thu
controversy to congress, recommend
ing legislation to prevent the STRIKE
and to prevent such emergencies from
arising in the future.
After a week of consideration, dur
ing which the president visited thu
capitol daily, comforting with admin
istration leaders, a bill was passe,
to establish an eight-hour day as
basis for pay of railroad workers, tn,
present rate Of pay for 10 hours
work not to be reduced and th'
men to receive pro rata pay for worl
in excess of eight hours pending al
investigation by special commits
sion into the effect Of the eight-hou
day on railroad revenues.
Congress enacted an unusuall,
large amount of miscellaneous leg
islation, including reorganization o
the patent office, provision for tria
of space system in place of weigh
system for payment Of railroad mai
service and leaving to the interstate
commerce commission determination
of the method and rate of pay; crea
ton of lational park bureau in tn
department of the interior; estah
fishing warehouse regulations for COT
ton and grains, and providing new
grain grading law; extension for
year of the government war risk in
surance bureau; uniform law max
ing bills of lading negotiable.
Proposed legislation which failed o
enactment and has gone over unit
next winter includes the immigration
bill; the corrupt practices act to lin
it campaign expenditures for election
of the president, vice president AM
members OF congress; vocationa
education bill passed by the senate
conservation legislation, including tn
public lands water power bill; tn
Shields navigable streams water pow
er bill, which failed in conference
the oil leasing bill, including relic
for California oil men; flood-cor
troll bill, which passed the house
a.,xl hill "a 20 hlicl, oi4iuo.,nhir, 20