The Parma herald. (Parma, Idaho) 1903-1917, 1917-10-11
WAR SESSION Of
CONGRESS ENDS
PROBABLY MOST MOMENToUs
SESSION IN HISTORY, AND ONE
OF GREAT ACCOMPLISHMENT.
Army Draft Law, TWO War Credit
Measures, Authorizing Loans to Al
lies and Sale Of Bonds Among
important Measures Passed.

Washington extraordinary Sos
sion of congress. which began April ,,
and generally regarded as the most
momentous in American history. was
adjourned sine die ut , p. m. on Oc-
tober g.
Vehement criticism Of Senator La
Toilette, Of Wisconsin, and his own de-
Tense, occupying virtually the entire
day, marked the close Of the war ses-
sion, with other customary adjourn
ment and legislative procedure. includ-
ing President Wilson'S attendance at
the capitol. The usual eleventh hour
grist of legislation was put through.
following six months Of important war
action, and by night most Of the mem
bers who had remained for the final
days were en- route home to await the
call of the next session, December 3.
During Interruptions Of the days de
bate congress found time to dispose Of
a few last moment matters with Presi-
dent Wilson in attendance during the
last hour in his room near the senate
chamber signing bills. Secretaries Ian
sing and Redtield and Postmaster Gen
eral Burleson accompanied the presi-
dent
Among the last acts of congress
were 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, homer and
patriotism Of tine country the alleged
declaration of Mt. La Toilette in St.
Paul that the nation went to war to
maintain a technical right of Ameri-
cans TO travel on munttion-laden yes
sells in behalf Of munitions makers
interest in the war.
Marking the session which has just
passed into history We're its war decIa-
ration: provision for quick and large
increases in the nations fighting forces
N land, sea and in the air: appropria-
lions of more than twenty billions dol
lars; measures of taxation and credits
10 meet the financial drafts. and vest
ing the president with vast powers.
Looming ahead for disposition at the
December session are further enoF-
nous appropriations for this and next
year. great tax and bond bills and
mass of other war and domestic legis- !
IatiOn with congressional primaries
and elections closely following.
Among the most important measures /
enacted were: The army draft law. /
TWO war credits measures. authorizing .
loans to the allies and sale of domestic /
bonds, the war tax law. appropriations |
IF $640 100000 for airplanes, the |
espionage act, control Of foods. feeds /
and fuel: the trading with the enemy
act. including authority for the preSi-
lent to embargo imports. the soldiers
md sailors insurance act and two war
budget bills.
Besides prohibiting further manu-
'acture or Importation of distilled bev-
RACES and authorizing the president in
.he food control bill TO stop or curtatl
hat of beer and wines. the senate by
4 vote of 65 to 20 also passed the
resolution. proposing a ma
ional dry amendment to the federal
It is pending in the
louse for action at the December SEES
sion.
The house created a special commit
ee on woman suffrage. while the SEN
tie favorably reported the Susan B
AnthOny amendment proposing an
DUAL franchise amendment to the con-
The latter will be pressed
text session.
Several bills passed the senate and
Iouse, but failed of joint approval and
emain pending on the calendar.
among them are the soldiers and sail
RS civil rights bill, the daylight saw
NC measure, the Webb export BILL the
MEASURE regulating the killing of
Migratory birds and the national prOhi
ition measure. The proposed Colon
ian treaty for payment of S25,OOO,OOO
I satisfaction of her loss of the Pan
ma canal zone, also failed of senate
atificatiOn and is on the calendar.