Denver labor bulletin., 1916-09-16
Especial Correspondence

the first session of the sixty fourth con-
gress adjourned last Friday it had a
better record of constructive legislation
to its credit than any congress in the
history of this government The Demo
cratic majority was especially proud of
the achievements made. Among the i'm
portant acts was that directing a reor-
ganization and re-equipment of the army
and navy for defense of the country at
the Unprecedented cost OF 1855, 100000,
with authorizations that will increase
the total in three years to nearly $780,
100000. With all other expenditures,
appropriations were brought to the grand
total of 81, ,637, ,5s3 ,6s2. the greatest ag-
gregate in the country's history and ex-
ceeding that for the last fiscal year by
more than half billion dollars
Creates Tariff Commission.
Expenditures. necessitated by prepar-
edness and the calling into action of mil
itary forces to meet the Mexican emerg-
ency demanded revenue legislation in the
closing days of the session. Congress
responded by doubling the normal tax on
incomes, creating an inheritance tax, mu-
nitions tax and miscellaneous excise tax
es to raise s205. .O00, 600 and by directing
sale of $3.50, ,OO0, 900 Panama canal bonds.
Congress established a tariff commits
sion; a government shipping board to re-
habilitate the American merchant mar
inc; a workmen's compensation eommis-
sion to administer new uniform COM
pensation law; farm loan banking sys-
tenn; a child labor law; enlarged the
system of self government in the Philip
pines and enacted many other important
laws which had been contemplated by
the administration.
Disturbed by European War.
The session was disturbed thruout by
frequently recurring threats OF foreign
complications from the European war
and imminence at one time Of a diplo-
matte break with Germany; interference
with American mails and commerce, in
vasion OF American soil and killing of
Americans by Mexican bandits. and dan
ger of actual war with Mexico.
Later in the session trouble arose in
the senate over the nomination of Louis
u. Brandeis of Boston. to succeed the
late Justice Lamar as a member OF the
supreme court. Weeks OF investigation
and deliberation by the Judiciary com
mittee ended in confirmation OF Mr..
Brandeis by large majority.
In the week before adjournment con-
Cress was occupied with legislation
which prevented a threatened nation
wide railroad strike. President Wilson.
after futile negotiations with officials of
the railroads and railroad brotherhoods,
submitted the controversy to congress,
recommending legislation to prevent the
strike and to prevent such emergencies
from arising in the future.
Eight-Hour Bill Passed.
After a week of consideration, during
which the president visited the capitol
daily, conferring with administration
leaders. a bill was passed TO establish
an eight-hour day as basis for pay
of railroad workers, the present rate of
pay for ten hours work not TO be re.
duced. and the men to receive pro rata
pay for work in excess of eight hours,
pending an investigation by a special
commission into the effect of the eight
hour day on railroad revenues.
Most important legislative enaetments
of the session, exclusive of laws for ma
tional defense included the following:
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 l, 1917, and pro-
viding for a commission of three to in
vestigate the effects of the eight-hour
standard; present wages not TO be re
dueed during the investigation, nor for
thirty days thereafter, and work in eN-
cess of eight hours to be paid for at a
pro rata rate
Government Ship Law-Appropriating
$50 ,O00, 900 to operate ships in foreign
and coastwisc trade when unable to lease
them to individuals or private corpora
tions.
Child Labor Statute.
Child labor Law-Denying interstate
commerce to products OF mines and quar-
ries employing children under l6 years
of age. and factories, mills, canneries and
other establishments employing children
under IA years.
Rural Credits Law-Establishing a
farm loan board in control of a system
of farm loan mortgage banks.
Workmen's Compensation Law-Pro-
viding uniform sick and accident bene-
fits for employees of the federal govern
ment, and benefits TO dependents in case
of death.
Emergency Revenue Law - Providing
for doubling the nomal income tax on
the lowest class: making an additional
surtaN ranging from one per cent on that
portion of incomes exceeding S2O,ooo to
thirteen per cent on amount of incomes
in excess of 100000; levying a grad
uated tax of one to ten per cent on
inheritances ranging from $4,000 to So
900, 900; ten per cent net profit tax on
manufacturers of munitions. five per cent
net profit tax on manufacturers of ma
tcrials entering into munitions; a license
tax on actually invested capital stock
of corporations capitalized at more than
50, 900; wine. beer and liquor excise tax
es and miscellaneous stamp taxes.
Good Roads Law-Providing for coop
erative federal aid to the states for con-
struction of highways and appropriating
| S-s AAA 900 Il, he s.,c.,t in fia.c ,.rars