Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-10-07
RECORD. OF ACHIEVEMENT
UNSURPASSED IN HISTORY
Congress Works necessarily on Leg
islation OF Vital Present and
~, Future Import.
GETS TWO MONTHS RESPITE
Members Will Return on December 8
for Regular Session to Face An
ether Stupendous Program of War
and Domestic Action.
Try Associated presa.l

WASHINGTON. October Ga record
of achievement probably unparalleled
in worldwide legislative history was
closed with adjournment to-day of the
session of Congress. Written into the
nations statutes in six months are
laws in numbers, scope and unanimity
unsurpassed. 49,,
Called April by President Wilson
within a month after his second inaug-
uration-to enroll the United States
among Germany's foes. from the pas
sage Of the war resolution. April 6, UNI
til the Presidents signature of the last
law to-day, Congress has worked in
cessantly on Legislation Of vital present
and future import in national and
world development. 1t now secures
two months respite returning Decem-
Der for the regular session, and fac
ing another stupendous program OF
war and domestic action.
Marking the session passing into his
tory were its war declarations: provision
for quick and large increase in the
nations lighting forces on land. sea and
In tho air; appropriations OF more than
$4,000, 100000; measures of taxation
and credits to meet the financial drafts,
and vesting the President with vast
powers.
Looming ahead for disposition at the
December session are further enormous
appropriations for this and next year.
great tax and bond bills. and mass
OF other war and domestic legislation,
with congressional primaries and cleo
lions closely following.
AMONG MOST IMPORTANT
.W MEASURES ENACTED
Among the most important measures
enacted were:
The army draft law. two war credits
measures, authorizing loans 20 the al
lies. and sale of domestic bonds. the
war tax law, appropriation of s64O ,000.-
900 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 in
surance act and the war budget bills.
The principal disputes of the session
were on the draft, food control and
war tax bills, with opposition conferred
in the Senate. Cloture was twice re-
sorted to there. on the food and war
tax measures, but it's actual imposi-
on each bill. :.
During the session, six allied mis-
sions appeared before Congress, ad-
dresses being made by Lord Balfour,
of the British mission; Premier vivi-
mi. and Marshal Joffre, of the French:
Prince Udine. OF the Italian; Baron
Moncheur. of the Belgian; Boris Bahk-
metef, Of the Russian, and Viscount
1shii, OF the Japanese
Congress also found time to take
important action or ,~o important do
mestic matters-prohibtion and woman
suffrage.
Besides prohibiting further manufac-
ture OF importation OF distilled bever-
ages and authorizing the President In
the food control bill. to stop or curtail
that OF beer and wines, the Senate nv
vote of G5 to 20 s so passed the Shep-
pard resolution, proposing national
dry amendment. 10 the Federal consti-
tuition. 1t is pending in the House for
action at the December session.
SPECIAL HOUSE COMMITTEE
ON WOMAN SUFFRAGE
The House created a special commit
tee on woman suffrage. while the SEN
ate favorably reported the Susan p.
Anthony amendment, proposing an
equal franchise amendment to the con-
rtitution. The latter will be pressed
next session.
Several bills passed the Senate and
House. but failed Of joint approval and
z=zz=z====E=-