The Lancaster news. [volume] (Lancaster, S.C.) 1905-current, 1917-10-09
CONGRESS ACHIEVED
WONDERFUL RECORD
UNPARALLELED in THE
WORLDS HISTORY.
Nations Statutes Enacted in
Six Months Unsurpassed in
Number and Scope.

Washington, Oct "a record of
achievements probably unparalleled
in worldwide legislative history was
closed with adjournment today of
the session of congress. Written in
to the nations statutes in six
months are laws in number, scope
and unanimity unsurpassed.
Called April 2 by President Will
son (within a month after his sec
ond inauguration) to enroll the
United States among Germans foes,
from the passage of the war resolu-
tion April until the presidents
signature of the last law today, con-
gress has worked necessarily on leg
islation OF vital present and future
import in national world develop
ment. 1t now takes two months
respite, returning December for
the regular session and facing an
other stupendous program of war
and domestic action.
What Was Accomplished.
Marking the session passing into
history were six war declarations;
provision for quic' l large in
crease in the nations fighting forces
on land, sea and in the air; ap-
propriations Of more than 100000
100000; measures OF taxation and
credits to meet the financial draft,
and vesting the president with vast
powers.
Looming up for disposition at the
December session are more enor
nous appropriations, for this and
next year, great tax and bond bills
and a mass of other war and do
mestic legislation, with congress
sional primaries and elections close
ly following.
Among the important measures
enacted were:
The army draft law, two war
credits measures. authorizing loans
to the allies, and sale of domestic
bonds; the war tax law, appropria-
tion OF s640, 100000 for airplanes :;
the espionage act; control OF foods.
feeds and fuel; the trading with the
enemy act, including authority for
the president to embargo imports ::
the soldiers and sailors insurance
act, and the war budget bills.
The principal dispute OF the ses-
sion were on the draft. food. control
and war tax bills, with opposition
centered in the senate. Cloture was
nI 70 ha
and war tax measures-but its act
ual imposition averteu.
Prohibition and Suffrage.
During the session six allied mis-
sions appeared before congress.
Congress also found time to take
important action on two important
domestic matters-prohibitio and
woman suffrage.
Besides prohibiting manufacture
or importation of distilled beverages
and authorizing the president in the
food control bill to stop or curtail
that of beer and wines, the senate
passed the Sheppard resolution pro-
posing a national amendment to the
federal constitution. 1t is pending
in the house for action in December
The house created special COM
mittee on woman suffrage while the
senate favorably reported the SUI
san b. Anthony amendment propos-
ing an equal franchise amendment
to the constitution.
Several bills passed the senate and
house but failed of joint approval
and remain pending on the calendar.
Among them are the soldiers and
sailors civil rights bills. the day
light saving measure the Webb ex-
port bill. the measure regulating
killing OF migratory birds and the
national prohibition measure. The
proposed Colombian treaty for pay
ment OF $25.O00,00O in satisfac ction
of her loss of the Panama canal
zone also failed OF senate ratifica-
tion and is on the calendar.