The Hays free press. [volume] (Hays, Kan.) 1908-1924, 1917-10-20

session because it was charged he ut
tered pro-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. Invi-
tatiOns of the British and French gov
ernments to have the United States
send congressional mission across
the Atlantic TO see war conditions and
cooperate with the interparliamentary
congress were rejected.
Important Measures Passed.
Following is 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 2 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 $163. 841. 4OO.52, of which
S1Oc,OOO.OOO 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 S3,OO7,-
O63,945.46 for establishing credits in
the United States for foreign govern
mentS by purchase of bonds of our al
lies and expenses incident to prepara-
ton and issue of bonds and certifi-
Gates; authorizes the issue of bonds
amounting to $5,O63, 945. 46O, of which
$3,O0O,OO0OO0 is for meeting the loans
authorized to foreign governments,
$2,OOO,OOO,000 to meet domestic ex-
penditures, and S63, 945, 400 to redeem
the three per cent loan and also au-
thorizes $1,000 100000 of one year GER
tificates of an indebtedness tempo
rarily to provide revenue
Huge Military Expansion.
Act authorizing one additional mid
shipman for each SENATOR representa-
tive and delegate in congress.
Act appropriating $273. O46. 332 80
for the support of the army for the
fiscal year 1918.
Act authorizing the president to in
crease temporarily the military estab-
lishment of the United States. This
act authorized a selective draft of
1,OO,O0OO 900 men and contains other i'm
ing to the army.
Resolution authorizing the president
to 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
miSSiOned and warrant and enlisted
strength of the navy and Marine corps
from $1,000 TO 10000 men, in the
first instance, and from 17,4O0 to 3d.
600, in the second.
Act appropriating $1,344, S96.1S for
the support of the military academy
for the fiscal year 1913 and for other
purposes.
Largest Single Grant in History.
Act to amend an act entitled IAN
Act to Regulate Commerce" as amend
ed, in respect of car service, and for
other purposes.
Act amending the war risk insur-
ance act and apprOpriating $45,150,OO0
to insure vessels and their cargoes and
expenses connected Herewith
Act appropriating $147, 1865. 92S.T for
the sundry civil expenses of the gov
eminent for the fiscal year 1918.
Act authorizing the issue to states
and territories and the District of Co
Iumbia of rifles and other property for
the equipment of organization of home
guards.
Act appropriating S3,2S1, O94. 541 80
for the military and naval establish
ments on account of the war expenses
Up to time this was the largest ap-
preparation act known to this or any
other country. Among other things it
appropriated S4O5, 900 for an emer-
gency shipping fund with which to be-
gin construction of the greatest mer-
chant fleet the world has ever known.
Act to punish acts of interference
with foreign relations, the neutrality
and the foreign commerce of the Unit
ed States, to punish espionage and
better enforce the criminal laws OF
the United States.
Conservation Bills Passed.
Act authorizing condemnation pro-
ceedings OF lands fol military pur-
poses.
Act appropriating s6tO.OO0OOO to In
crease temporarily the signal corps, of
the army and to purchase, manufac-
ture, maintain, repair and operate air
ships.
Act authorizing the United States to
take possession OF site for use for
white paper issued by Great Britain
The &c of 20