The Benson signal., 1917-10-20

IRON was blocked until the December
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
Especial representatives Of Great Brit
stA, France, Belgium, Italy, Russia and
Japan addressed both houses. Invi-
tatfons of the British and French gov
ernments 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 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
100000 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 ptr-
poses. This act appropriated $3,007,-
O63,945.40 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 $5,063, ,945, AGO, of which
| $3,000,000,OO0 is for meeting the loans
authorized to foreign governments,
$2,O00,O 100000 to meet domestic ex-
penditures, and $63, ,945, ,46O to redeem
the three per cent loan and also au-
thorizes $2,OOO,OOO,O0O Of one year GER
tificates of an indebtedness tempo
rari1v tO nrOvidp rpvonuo
Huge Military Expansion.
+. Act authorizing one additional mid
shipman for each senator, representa-
tive and delegate in congress.
Act appropriating $273,O46, ,332.5O
for the support Of the army for the
! fiscal year 1913.
Act authorizing the president to in
crease temporarily the military estab-
| lishment of the United States. This
| act authorized a selective draft of
! 1, 90, 900, 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 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.
| 900, in the second.
Act appropriating $1,344, ,896.18 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 "An
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 $40, 100000
to insure vessels and their cargoes and
expenses connected Herewith.
Act appropriating $147, 1868 928.T for
| the sundry civil expenses Of the gov
| ern1nent for the fiscal year 1918.
Act authorizing the issue to states
and territories and the District Of Co
lumbia of rifles and other property for
the equipment of organization Of home
| guards. -.
Act appropriating $3,281 ,O94, ,541 so
for the military and naval establish
ments on account Of the war expenses
Up to time this was the largest ap-
propriation4act known to this or any
other country. Among other things 1t
appropriated s4o5, 100000 for an emer-
gencylshipping fund with which to be-
gin construction Of the greatest mer-
df{ant fleet the world has ever known.
Net 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-