Vernon County censor. [volume] (Viroqua, Wis.) 1865-1955, 1917-10-17

OF congress LOT the S'huuSb u NHO
war.
Congress was in session 1873 days
During that time more than 10000
army, navy and marine corps nomina'
lions sent to the senate were con-
firmed. among them the advancement
of Major General Pershing, comman-
der in chief of the armies in France,
and Major General Bliss. chief of staff,
to the rank of full general, held only
four times previously in American his
tory. The only important appointment
held up was that of Col. Carl Reich
mann, to be a brlgadier general. Ac-
ton was blocked until the December
session because 1t was charged he ut
tered prO-German sentiments.
An unprecedented feature Of the
session was the reception Of the spe-
ciaI 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. lnvi-
tations of the British and French gov
e-nments to have the United States
send a congressional mission across
the Atlantic to see war conditions and
cooperate with the interparliamentary
congress were rejected.
important Measures Passed.
Following is a list of the most i'm
portant measures passed by congress;
Resolution declaring a 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 . the resolution for war
against Germany was introduced In
the house and on April 6, 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 S163, S41, 4O0.52. of which
S100,000,0O0 was for the national Sc
curity 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
curity and defense and for the pur-
/ post of assisting in the prosecution of
/ the war and to extend credit to for
| eign governments and for other pur-
poses. This act appropriated $3,007,-
! 063, 945.46 for establishing credits 10
the United States for foreign govern
ments by purchase of bonds of our al.
lies and expenses incident to prepare
don and issue OF bonds and certifi
Gates; authorizes the issue of bonds
amounting to S5,O63, e45, 400, of which
| S3.OO0,00O,000 is for meeting the loans
authorized to foreign governments
S2.GN0O00,00O TO meet domestic ex
pendlrures, and S63,945, 400 to redeem
the three per cent loan and also au
thorizes $4,000. 100000 Of one year Ger
tificates OF an Indebtedness tempo
rarily 10 provide revenue.
Huge Military Expansion.
Act authorizing one additional mid
shipman for each senator, representa-
tive and delegate In congress.
Act appropriating s273,046, 1928
for the support Of the army for tn
fiscal year 1918.
Act authorizing the president to in
crease temporarily the military estah
] 81, TrFE
act authorized a selective draft o
100, 100000 men and contains other I'm
portant legislative features pertain
Ing to the army.
Resolution authorizing the presiden
to take over for the United States an
vessel owned in whole or in part b
any corporation. citizen or subject c
any nation with which the Unite
States may be at war.
Act TO Increase temporarily the con
missioned and warrant and enllste
strength Of the navy and Marine corp
from $1,000 TO 10000 men, in tn
first instance, and from 17.400 to 80
600. in the second.
Act appropriating S1,344s96.1S fC
the support of the military academ
for the fiscal year 1918 and for otht
purposes.
Largest Single Grant In History.
Act TO amend an act entitled "A
Act to Regulate Commerce" as amend
ed. In respect Of car service, and fC
a other purposes.
Act amending the war risk insu
ance act and appropriating S45, 1500C
, to insure vessels and their cargoes an
expenses connected herewith.
Act appropriatiLg STAT 1868, 92S.77 fl
the sundry civil expenses OF the go
eminent for tae fiscal year 1918.
Act authorizing the issue TO state
. and territories and the District Of c
lumbla OF rifles and other property fl
= the equipment OF organization of hon
guards.
9 Act oppropriatIng s3.2Sl .094, 541'
for the military and naval establis
ments on account of the war expense
y Up to time this was the largest a
n preparation act known to this or al
other country. Among other things
: appropriated S405.O00,000 for an eme
. grncy shipping fund with which to b
gin construction of the greatest me
,. chant fleet the world has ever know
Act TO punish acts of interferen
with foreign relations. the neutrall
and the for, en- commerce of the Tn
:. ed States, to punish espionage al
a. better enforce the criminal laws
, tho Trpited CfataS