The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1917-10-19

il congress for the conduct Of the
war.
congress was In session 1888 days
During TINT time more than 10000
arIay, tayy and marine corps nomina.
tions sent 10 the senate were cofi-
hrmied, among them the advancement
~ Major General pegshing, eomman-
der ~ chief Of the armies Ia France,
and Major General Bliss. chief Of staff,
y The rank n fun general, held only
four tines previously in American his.
tory. The only important appointment
beld np was that OF Col. Carl Reich
mann. 10 be d bFlgaGier general. Ac-
tiDn WAS blocked until the December
session because Ii WAS charged he az.
tered pfO-German sentiments.
An unprecedented feature Of the
session WAS the reception Of the spe-
cial missions sent to the United States
by the allied governments, and the
special representatives Of Great Brit
ain, France, Belgium, Italy, Russia and
Japan addressed both houses. Inyi-
tatl0ns Of the British and French gov
ernmeuts 10 have the United States
send d congressional mission across
the Atlantic % see war conditions and
cooperate with the lnterparllamentary
congress we're rejected.
important Measures Passed.
Following IS a list OF the most Inn
portant measures passed by congress
Resolution declaring d state Of war
exists between the imperial German
government and the government and
the people Of the United States and
making provision TO prosecute the
same.
On April 2 the resolution for war
against Germany was introduced In
tho house ana on April 9, or four days
after the assembling Of congress, the
president attached his signature to the
measure. No delay was involved In
the passage Of This resolution, perhaps
the most important ever offered either
IN this or any other congress.
General deficiency appropriation act,
appropriating $163,84t, 40O.52, Of which
Slu0,0O0,O 600 was for the national Sc
curlty and defense and for each and
every purpose connected with the
war.
Act authorizing an issue OF bonds to
meet expenditures for the national Sc
curtty and defense and for the pur-
post OF assisting III the prosecution Of
the war and 70 extend credit to for
elgn governments and for other pur-
poses. This net appropriated S3,O07,-
06S,045.d6 for establishing credits in
the United States for foreign govern
ments By purchase Of bonds of our al
lies and expenses incident to
tion and issue Of bonds and certif-
Gates authorizes the Issue of bonds
amounting 10 s5,063, o45,460, Of which
S3.0OO3o0o,O00 Is for meeting the loans
authorized 70 foreign governments,
$1,000, 100000 to meet domestic ex-
penditures, and $83, 945, 460 to redeem
the three per cent loan and also au-
thorizes S2,o00,0o 600 Of one year GER
tlhcates of an Indebtedness tempo
rarity 10 provide revenue.
Huge Military Expansion.
Act authorizing one additional mid
shlpman for zach senator, representa-
tive aud delegate IN congress,
Act appropriating $273,046.832.50
for the support Of the army for the
fiscal year 1918.
Act authorizing the president 10 In
crease temporarily the military estab-
iishment Of the United States. This
act authorized a selectiye draft OF
1,00,000,000 men and contains other i'm
portant legislative features pertain
Ing 10 the army.
Resolution authorizing the president
10 take over for the United States any
vessel owned In whole or In part by
any corporation, citizen or subject OF
any nation with which the United
States may be at war.
Act TO increase temporarily the COM
mlssioned and warrant aud enlisted
strength OF the navy and Marine corps
from 1000 TO 10000 men, In the
first instance, and from 17,400 Ia 80
600, in the second.
Act appropriatlng Sl.s44S961S for
the support OF the military academy
for the fiscal year 1913 aud for other
purposes.
Largest Single Grant In History.
Act TO amend an act entitled "An
Act 10 Regulate Commerce ms amend
ed, IN respect u a service, aud for
other purposes,
Act amending the war risk insur.
Rnce act and approprlatiug $45,150,OOO
70 insure vessels aud their cargoes and
expenses connected herewith.
Act appropriating STAT, S6S, a2S.TT for
the sundry civil expenses ot the gov
eminent for the fiscal year 1918.
Act authorizing the issue to states
and territories ana the District OF Co
lumhla ot rifles and other property FOR
the equipment Of organization % home
guards.
Act approprlating S3,2st, O94,54t.6 go
for the military aud naval establish
meRts on account OF the war expense
Up to time this was the largest an
preparation act known to this Or any
other country. Among other things N