New Britain herald., 1916-09-08
Record of Congress.

AtcCOrG O1 congress.
 The first session of the sixtyfourth congress which adjourned today was concerned chiefly with national de- fcnse.
 When the gavel fell congress had directed reorganization and re-equip- ment of the army and navy for de- fense of the country at the unprece- dented cost of $655, 0OO,OOO with au- thorizations that will increase the total in three years to nearly $9OO,- 000,0OO. With all other expenditures, appropriations were brought to the grand total of $1,637,5S3,682. the greatest aggregate in the country's history and exceeding that for the last fiscal year by more than half a 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, 100000 ad by directing sale of O,0O0,O00 Panama Canal bends
 Congress esta olished a tariff com mission; a government shipping board to rehabilitate the American merchant marine; a workmen's com pensation commission to administer new uniform compensation law; a farm loan banking system; a child labor law; enlarged the system of selfgovernment in the Philippines and enacted many other important laws which had been contemplated by the administration.
 The session was disturbed through cut by frequently recurring threats of foreign complications from the European war and imminence at one time of a diplomatic break with Ger many; interference with American mails and commerce. invasion of American soil and killing of Arneri- cans by Mexican bandits, and danger of actual war with Mexico
 Later in the session trouble arose in the senate over the nominat tion of Louis D. Brandeis, of Boston, to succeed the late Justice Lamar as a member of the supreme court. Weeks of investigation and delibera- ton by the judiciary committee ended in confirmation of MT. Bran delS Dy a large InaJOrlLy.
 Most important legislative enact ments of the session, exclusive of laws for national defense, included the following:
 Government Ship Law. Appropria- ting $50,O0O,000 to operate ships in foreign and coastwise trade when un- able to lease them to individuals or private corporations.
 Child "a bOr law Danvipp inter- state commerce to products of mines and quarries employing children under 16 years of age, and factories, mills, canneries and other establish ments employing children under 14 years.
 Rural Credits Law. Establishing a farm loan board in control of a sH stem of farm loan mortgage banks.
 Workmen's Compensation Law. Providing uniform sick and accident benefits for employees of the federal government and benefits to depcn- dents in case of death.
 Emergency Revenue Law. Pro- viding for doubling the normal in come tax on the lowest class; making an additional surtax ranging from one per cent on that portion of incomes exceeding $20,000 to 13 per cent on amount of incomes in excess of $2,- 100000: levying a graduated tax of one to ten per cent. on inheritances ranging from $50,O0O to $5,OOO, 900; a ten per cent. net profit tax on manufacturers of munitions, five per cent. net profit tax on manufa cturers of materials entering into munitions; a license tax on actually invested capi- tai stock of corporations capitalized at more than 99,000; wine, beer and liquor excise taxes and miscellane- GUS stamp taxes.
 Good Roads Law Providing for cooperative federal aid to the states for construction of highways, and ap- propriating $75,OOO,O0O to be spent in five years.
 Postal Savings Law. Amendment increasing the amount which in- dividuals may deposit from $500 to $1,000 with interest and an additional 1000 without interest.
 Federal Reserve. Amendments. in cluding amendment to the Clayton antitrust law permitting officers and directors of member banks to become officers and directors of not more