Middletown transcript., 1916-09-16
CONGRESS ENDS
TRYING SESSION
One Of Most TrOubIOus In U. S.
History.
COSTLY, ACHIEVED RESULTS
Appropriations Close TO TWO Billion
Dollars; Not All Due To
Preparedness LegIs-
IafIon

Barlon.
WAshington.-The first session Of the
Btxty-Hourth Congress. was concerned
chiefly with national defense.
When the gavel fell Congress had
directed reorganization and re-equip-
@ent Of the army and navy at the
unprecedented cost Of 1856, 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 1887. 1856 the great
Nst aggregate In the country's history.
Expenditures, necessitated by pre-
paredness and by military forces to
meet the Mexican emergency de-
manded revenue legislation in the
closing days Of the session. Congress
responded by doubling the normal tax
On incomes, creating an inheritance
Eax, munitions tax and miscellaneous
excise taxes to raise $205,000,00O and
by directing sale Of $1S0,O00,0O0 Pana-
ma canal bonds.
Was TroubIous Session.
The session was disturbed through
out by frequently recurring threats
OF foreign complications from the Eu-
Eopean war and lmminence at one
time Of diplomatic break with Ger
many; interference with American
-.mEY~ o.d oopornoroa Invasion oP
American soil and killing Of Amer
leans 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 D. Brandeis as a member Of
The Supreme Court Weeks Of inves-
aigation and deliberation by the Ju-
dietary Committee ended IN confrma-
9EOn Of Mr.. BrandeiS by large ma
9Ority.
In the week before adjournment Con-
aFess was occupied with legislation
which prevented a threatened nation
wide railroad strike. President Wilson
submitted the controversy to Congress,
recommending legislation to avert the
strike and to-Prevent such future emeg<
gencies.~ After a week Of ~ceRRssliaaeraf1on
bill was passed to establish an eight
hour day as a basis for pay Of railroad
workers.
important Achievements.
Most important legislative enact
ments Of the session, exclusive of laws
for national defense, included the fol-
lowing:
Government Ship Law-Appropriat-
ing $50,O0O,O00 to operate ships in for
eign and coastwise trade when unable
10 lease them to individuals or pri-
Vate corporations.
Child Labor Law-Denying inter
stats commerce to products Of mines
and Quarries employing children un-
der 16 years Of age and Of factories,
mills, canneries and other establish
ments employing children under IA
years.
Rural Credits Law-Establishing a
farm loan board in control Of a sys-
tenn Of farm loan mortgage banks.
Workmen's Compensation Law-Pro
vfding uniform sick and accident bene
ats for employees Of the Federal Gov
srnment and benefits to dependents in
-Oase Of death.
Emergency Revenue Law-Providing
for doubling the normal income taz
on the lowest class: making an add
tional surtax ranging from per cent
on that portion Of incomes exceeding
$4,000 to 13 per cent. on amount o.
incomes in excess Of $2,000,000; levy
ing a graduated tax Of to 10 per cent
on inheritances ranging from $50,00(
70 $5,000.000; . 10 per cent. net prof
tax on manufacturers of munitions,
per cent. net profit tax on manufac
turers Of materials entering into muni
aions; q license tax on actually In
vested capital stock Of corporations
capitalized at more than $99, 1000; wine
beer and liquor excise taxes and mis-
cellaneous stamp taxes.
Good Roads Law-Providing for &C
operative Federal aid to the State
Cor construction OF highways and ap
propriating s76,OOO.OO0 to be spent II
ave years.
Postal Savings sLaw-Amendment ir
ereasing the amount which individual
may deposit from $500 to $1,000 wit
interest and an additional $1,000 witt
ont interest
Federal Observation-Disclosures, II
Guiding amendment to the Clayton ant
trust law permitting officers and dire
acrs Of member banks to become officer
and directors Of not more than tw
other non-competing banks; amend
ments permitting national banks to e.
3ablish foreign branches, liberalizin
regulations for discounting commercis
paper and permitting members Of bank
in towns Of 5000 or less populatio
TO act as agents for insurance con
panies.
Railroad Legislation.
Railroad Eight -Hour-Day LAVE
taBlishing eight hours as the standa1
for reckoning the compensation of raj
road employees operating trains
interstate commerce after January
1917, and providing for a commissio