Macon beacon., 1917-10-19

lNiFA ltN-Ntti man >tl4lsfitul>.
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
ALL, France. Belgium, Italy, Russia and
Japan addressed both houses. lnvi-
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 interparllamentary
congress were rejected.
important Measures Passed.
Following is list of TIE most i'm
portant measures passed by congress:
Resolution declaring Il 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 Sl62,S41 ,4O0.52, Of which
$1OO,OO00O 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,-
063,9i5.46 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 konds and certlh-
amounting to $5,O83, ,945, AGO, of which
$3,0O0,0 1000, 900 is for meeting the loans
authorized to foreign governments,
| $2,OO0,0000O to meet domestic ex-
penditures and $63, ,945, ,460 10 redeem
| the three per cent loan and also au-
thorlzes $20O0,O00,000 of one year GER
! tiflcates of an Indebtedness tempo
rarily TO provide revenue.
Huge Military Expansion.
Act authorizing one additional mid
shlpman for each senator, representa-
tive and delegate In congress.
Act appropriating $273,046,3S2. 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 selectiye draft Of
100000 900 men and contains other i'm
portant legislative features pertain,
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 Mt 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 IT, 400 to 3d.
900, in the second.
Act nppropriating Sl.344 S96,lS for
the support Of the military academy
for the fiscal year 1918 and for other
purposes.
Largest Single Grant in History.
Act to amend an act entitled Gar
Act to Regulate Commerce" as amend
ed. in respect Of car service and fol
other purposes.
Act amending the war risk insur
ance act and appropriatng So l50,0ot
to insure vessels and their cargoeS anC
expenses connected herewith.
Act approprlating STAT ,363,92S77 FOL
the sundry civil expenses Of the gov
ernment for the fiscal year 1918.
Act authorizing the issue to states
and territories and the District of Co
lumbla of rifles and other property fol
the equipment of organization of HON,
guards.
Act appropliatIng S3,281 094, ,541 .6(
for the mt.,ary and naval establish
ments on account of the war expenses
Up to time this was the largest ap
preparation act known to this or an!
other country Among other things /
approprlated S405, 100000 for an emer
gency shipping fund with which to be
gin construction Of the greatest mer
. chant feet the world has ever known
Act to punish acts of interference
with foreign relations, the neutralit.
and the foreign commerce OF the Unit
ed States, to punish espionage ant
better enforce the criminal laws o
the United States.
Conservation Bills Passed.
Act authorizing condemnation pro
ceedlngs o. lands for military pur
poses.
Act appropriating $640, 100000 to in
crease temporarily the signal corps o
the army and to purchase, manufac