The Bridgeport evening farmer., 1917-11-16

the United States and the colonial pos
sessions were taken charge of by the
government; not, however, Until many
OF them had been so crippled by their
former officers and crews as to rem
DER their immediate use impossible.
ON the 18th of June the Espion-
age bill passed, for the. protection of
the government against alien enemies,
ana made their crimes punishable by
severe fines and Imprisonment, or
both. The same bill gave the Presi-
dent absolute control over the move
ments of all vessels, foreign and do
nestle, in the territorial waters of the
United States, with the right to take
possession of the same. 1t penalized
injury to foreign vessels within the
same waters and forbade interference
with or obstruction of exports to other
countries. 1t authorized the President
to withhold clearance of vessels car
rying supplies or information to bel
ligerent countries and the detention
of any armed vessel, domestic or for
eign coming within the waters of the
United States, and to seize arms. and
ammunition intended for export. It
authorized him to prohibit exporta-
tons to any or all countries by pro-
clamation, except at such times and
under such regulations as he might
fix, and empowered him to refuse
clearance to any vessel, domestic OF
foreign, carrying such goods This
act was extremely broad in it's terms
and covered many conditions that
might arise and which threatened
danger to the country
lone of the most important meas
ures is that of June Is, 1917, appro-
priating $3.50, 100000 for the construc-
ton of merchant marine to take the
place of shipping now being destroyed
by the ruthless submarine policy of
the Imperial German Government. 1t
is hoped that, when once under fun
Roadway, the losses sustained in the
ocean-carrying business will be more
than compensated for by the construc-
ton of new vessels.
1.-THE act which evoked much bit
ter criticism and opposition. both in
the Senate and in the House of Rep
resentatives, is that of August 10,
1917, known as the Food Control Bill.
Its constitutionality as well as its pro-
visions were assailed, and yet, when
the vote was had, few in either body
voted against it-another evidence
that the Congress has been and is
ready to do all that may be deemed
necessary in this crisis.
another act of equal Importance
is that of August 10, providing for
the stimulating of agriculture and ia
cilitating the distribution Of agricu1-
tural products. These two measures,
taken together, will enable the Presi-
dent and those appointed by him, to
carry out their terms to stabilize
prices and control the food products
a
our allies uses.
.@The act of June /, 1917, amenda-
tory of the war risk Insurance meas
ure of September 2, 1914, provides
for the insurance of the officers and
men of merchant vessels, provides
compensation in cases of permanent
disability incurred in the course of
their business, and broadens the for
mer act in. it's terms, appropriating
$50, 900, 900 for carrying out the pur-
poses thereof.
Zone of the very important meas
ures which passed in the closing days
of the session was the bill providing
for the insurance of soldiers and SAIL
ors composing the military and naval
establishments It is believed that this
measure will greatly reduce the PEN
sions which every war has compelled
the government to pay and at the
same time make the men of our Army
and Navy feel that their loved ones
at home will be cared for If in the
emergency of war the worst Details
them.
Attention has only been called to
a few of the more important measures
that have been passed at this session
| of Congress There are numerous
provisions in the various appropria-
ton bills enlarging the powers of the
President in the conduct of the war
land appropriating large sums OF
money. 1t is difficult In a statement
of any reasonable length to show their
importance, but enough has been CIV
en- to show that no former Congress
has ever done SO much, and in SO lit
tie time, to assist our country, as has
this one in the most dangerous crisis
that has ever confronted 1t.
! saThe question is sometimes asked II
the country approves of this legisla.-
ton. The unaninity with which Sena-
tors and Representatives have stood
for it all indicates that it is sustain
ed by the people. Having been forced
into a war with the most efficient
military despotisn the world ever
| knew, motives of. patriotism, our
country's safety, the liberty of the ci-
tizen, and the perpetuation of OUT in
situations, all demanded prompt, rad
icaI, and effective legislation. Oppo-
sition to legislation that has been
passed is sporadic. 1t will be found
in groups of extreme pacifists. pro-
German sympathizers, and among
m en- who care not what the fate of
our country may be- 1t may safely
be predicted that, when the country
fully realizes the dangers which
threaten, there will be few, If any, In
these several groups so bold as to ex-
press opposition to the taking OF
whatever steps may be necessary to
perfect our defense"
President Wilson is expected to is