Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1916-09-15
THE LAST CONGRESS
MADE MANY LAWS
CRISIS WITH GERMANY, MExI
CAN lMBROGLIO AND RAIL
STRIKE GREAT ISSUES.
HISTORY OF PERFORMANCE
$500, 100000 for Nations Defense
Tariff Commission and Farm Loan
Banks Authorized-Child La
Dor Law-Many Failed.

Washington.-The first session of
the 46th congress, which adjourned
September s, 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-
lions and go to the capitol to de-
the tabling of the Gore resolution in
the senate by vote of 6S to IA on
March 3, and of the McLemore res
olution in the house by a vote of
276 to 142 on Mar h 7. Immediately
afterward the president sent to Ger
many and read to congress a note
threatening to sever diplomatic re-
lations unless the German govern
ment Immediately effected a modi-
fication of its methods of submarine
warfare"
What II 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 $685., 100000, 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, a 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 l.
1917, and providing for a commits
sion of three to investigate the eff
fects of the eight-hour standard, the
present wages not to be reduced
during the investigation, nor for &c
days thereafter, and work in excess
of eight hours to be paid for at Pre-
rata rate, and enacted many other
important 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
time of a diplomatic break witt
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 6
member of the supreme court. Week!
of investigation and elaboration b,
the judiciary committee ended in con
firmation of Mr.. Brandeis by large
majority.
Averts Rail Strike.
In the week before adjournment
congress was occupied with legisla
ton which prevented a threatened
nationwide railroad strike. Presi
dent Wilson, after futile negotiation
with officials of the railroads ant
railroad brotherhoods, submitted tn
controversy to congress, recommend
ing legislation to prevent the strik
and to prevent such emergencies from
arising in the future.
After a week of consideration, duI
ing which the president visited tn
capitol daily, comforting with admin
istration leaders, a bill was passes
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 tn
men to receive pro rata pay for worl
in excess of eight hours pending a
investigation by a special commits
sion into the effect OF the eight-hou
day on railroad revenues.
Tackled Many Subjects.
t Congress enacted an UNUSUAL
large amount of miscellaneous LEI
I islation, including reorganization c
q the patent office. provision for iris
of space system in place of weigh
= system for payment of railroad ma
service and leaving to the interstat
commerce commission determinatio
of the method and rate of pay; cre'
ton of a national park bureau in tn
department of the interior; estal
fishing warehouse regulations for co
+ ton and grains, and providing a ne
. grain grading law; extension for