The Ordway new era., 1917-10-19

s Va wi. Cdri Reich
mann, to Dc brigadler general. Ac-
uon was blocked until the December
sess,on because 1t was charged he ut
tered pro-German sentiments. n
An unprecedented feature ~ tha
session was the reception of the sna.
eiai missions sent to the United States
oy the allied governments, and the
special representatives Of Great Brit.
..n' france, Belgium. Italy, Russia and
Japan addressed both houses. Invi.
'ations OF the British and French gov.
erhments to have the United States
sehd congressional mission across
.he Atlantic to see war conditions and
cooperate with the terparliamentary
congress were rejected.
Important Measures Passed,
fo''o"ing Is a list Of the most i'm
portaht measures passed by congress
nesoiulon declaring a state Of war
exists between the Imperial German
SoNerhment 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 mouse and on April Q, or four DAYS
atter the assembling OF congress, the
president attached his signature to the
measure. No delay was involved in
.ne passage OF this resolution. perhaps
the most important ever offered either
IN this or any other congress.
General deficiency appropriation act.
approprlating s163,S BAL ,4OO.5 of which
SlOO,OOO,OOO was for the national Sc
curity and defense and for each md
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 DUR
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.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-
tion and Issue of bonds and certifi-
Gates; authorizes the Issue of bonds
amounting to S5,O63, ,945. 400, of which
S3.OOOOOO,OOO Is for meeting the loans
authorized to foreign governments,
OO,OOO,0OO to meet domestic ex-
penditures, and 63,945, 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 approprinting $273,048. .332. so
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,OOO,OOO 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 17,400 to 30
600, In the second.
Act appropriating $1.344. .s98.1s 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" a. amend
I'd IN respect of car service, and for
other purposes.
Act amending the war risk insur-
ance act and appropriating 45,1oO,OoO
TO insure vessels and their cargoes and
expeuses connected Herewith.
Act appropriating $147. 1893. .e2s.T for
the sundry civil expenses Of the gov
ernmeut 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. .,oo, oo.,., an
Act appropriating $3,2sl ,oe4, ,o4i.oo
for the military and naval establish
ments on account Of the war expenses.
I'm to time this was the largest ap-
nronr,ation act known to this or any
other country. Among other things 1t
snnroprIated $4o5. 600. 900 for an emer-
gency shipping fund with whicn TO pc
stn construction of the greatest mer-
chant fleet the world has ever KNOWN.
Act to punish acts OF interrerence
with foreign relations, the neutral.y
and the foreign commerce OF the onl.
,lch orniOnaRQ ana