Omaha daily bee., 1916-09-09

Washington, sept S.-Ihe nrst
session Of the Sixty-fourth congress,
which adjourns today, was concerned
chiefly with national defense.
When the gavel fell congress had
directed reorganization and equip
ment of the army and navy defense
of the country at the unprecedented
cost Of $685., 100000 with authorize
tons that will Increase the total in
three years to nearly 100000. 900.
With all other expenditures, appro-
priations we're brought to the grand
total Of ,637,583,682, the greatest
aggregate in the country's history and
exceeding that for the last fiscal year
by more than billion dollars.
Expenditures, necessitated by pre-
paredness and the calling into action
Of military forces to meet the Mexi-
can emergency demanded revenue
legislation in the closing days Of the
session. Congress responded by
doubling the normal tax on incomes,
creating an inheritance tax, munitions
tax and miscellaneous excise taxes to
raise $205, 10000 and by directing sale
of $l3000O,00 Panama canal bonds.
New Boards and Commissions.
Congress established tariff COM
mission; a government building
board to rehabilitate the American
merchant marine; a Workman's Com
pensation commission to administer
new uniform compensation law a
farm loan banking system; 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 a diplomatic break with
Germany; interference with American
mails and commerce, INVASION OF
American soil and killing by Mexi-
can bandits, and danger Of actual war
with Mexico.
Crisis with Germany.
The crisis in congress over the
international situation followed Ger
many's naval order to sink armed
belligerent merchant ships without
warning. Introduction Of resolu-
tions warning Americans to keep off
armed merchantmen caused Presi-
dent Wilson to halt diplomatic nego-
tiations and go to the capitol to. de-
mand showdown. The result was
tabing Of the Gore resolution in the
senate by vote OF 90 to Ia on March
g., and OF the McLemore resolution
in the house by vote of 276 to l42
March 7. Immediately aftcrward
the president sent to Germany and
read to congress a note threatening
10 sever diplomatic relations unless
the German government "immedi-
ately effected a modification Of its
methods of submarine warfare"
Later in the session trouble arose
in the senate over the nomination of
Louis D. Brandeis OF Boston to sue
coed the late Justice Lamar as a
member Of the supreme court. Weeks
Of investigation and dcliberation by
the judiciary committee ended in con-
firmation OF Mr.. Brandeis by a large
majority.
Held Up by Labor Troubles.
In the week before adjournment
congress was occupied with the lcgis-
lation which prevented a threatened
nationwide railroad strike. President
Wilson, after futile negotiations with
officials of~the railroads and railroad
brotherhoods. submitted the contro-
versy to congress, recommending
legislation to prevent the strike and to
prevent such emergencies from arising
In the future. 81.
After week Of consideration, dur
ing which the president visited the
capitol daily, comforting with admins
tration leaders, bill was passed to
establish an eight-hour day as basis
for pay Of, railroad workers, the pres
ent rate Of pay for ten hours work
| not to be reduced and the men to re-