The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1917-10-12
WAR SESSION Of
CONGRESS ENDS
PROBABLY MOST MoMENToue
SESSION IN HISTORY, AND oNE
OF GREAT ACCOMPLISHMENT
Army Draft Law, Two War cr.ai.
Measures, Authorizing Loans to AZ
lies and Sale of Bonds Amonn
important Measures Passed.

Washington extraordinary ~.
sion Of congress, which began Ami, )
and generally regarded as the magr
momentous in American history was
adjourned sine die at 8 p. in. on o..
tober 6.
Vehement criticism of Senator II
Toilette, of Wisconsin, and his own dn.
Tense, occupying virtually the epffre
day, marked the close of the war 80
sion, with other customary adionr,-
ment and legislative procedure inclnd.
ing President Wilson's attendance ~
the capitol. The usual eleventh honr
grist of legislation was put through
following six months of important rar
action, and by night most of the mem
bers who had remained for the final
days were en- route home to await no
call of the next session, December 3.
During Interruptions of the days de-
bate congress found time to dispose If
few last moment matters with presi-
dent Wilson in attendance during the
last hour in his room near the SENATE
chamber signing bills. Secretaries Lam
sing and Redfield and Postmaster Cen
eral Burleson accompanied the presi-
dent.
Among the last acts of congress
We're confirmation in open session Of
many nominations, hastily sent in by
the president, including those of Major
Generals Pershing and Bliss to be gen
erals.
Right of free speech and of discus
sion of public questions was empha-
sized by Senator La Toilette in his
three-hours' speech, while senators
criticizing him declared that he trans
cended the constitutional guarantees
in that respect. Senator kellogg of
Minnesota bitterly denounced as
Islander on the intelligence, honor and
patriotism of the country" the alleged
declaration of Mr.. La Toilette in st.
Paul that the nation went to war to
maintain a technical right of Amer-
cans to travel on munition-laden YES
sells in behalf of munitions makers
interest in the war.
Marking the session which has just
passed into history were it's war deca-
ration provision for quick and large
increases in the nations fighting forces
on land, sea and in the air; apprOpria-
tions of more than twenty billions dol
lars; measures of taxation and credits
to meet the financial drafts, and vest
ing the president with vast powers.
Looming ahead for disposition at the
December session are further enor-
nous appropriations for this and next
year, great tax and bond bills and a
mass of other war and domestic legis-
lation with congressional primaries
and elections closely following,
Among the most important measures
enacted We're: The army draft law,
two war credits measures, authorizing
loans to the allies and sale of domestic
bonds, the war tax law, appropriations
of $640,000,000 for airplanes, the
espionage act, control of foods, feeds
and fuel; the trading with the enemy
act, including authority for the preSl-
dent to embargo imports, the soldiers
and sailors insurance act and two war
budget bills.
Besides prohibiting further manu-
facture or importation of distilled bev'
erages and authorizing the president in
the food control bill to stop or curtaii
that of beer and wines, the senate by
vote of Go to 20 also passed the
Sheppard resolution, proposing a ma
tional dry amendment to the federal
constitution. 1t is pending in the
house for action at the December ses-
sion.
The house created a special commit
tee on woman suffrage, while the sem
ate favorably reported the Susan %
Anthony amendment proposing an
equal franchise amendment to the con.
stitution. The latter will be pressed
next session.
Several bills passed the senate anu
house, but failed of joint approval ana
remain pending on the calendar
Among them are the soldiers and s'lli-
ors' civil rights bill, the daylight saw
lag measure, the Webb export bill, me
measure regulating the killing q
migratory birds and the national prom
bition measure. The proposed Coioni,
bian treaty for payment of $25.OOo,oVV
in satisfaction of her loss of the ran
anna canal zone, also failed OF sen"te
ratification and is on the calendar