Lincoln County times. (Jerome, Idaho) 1911-1919, 1917-10-11
WAR SESSION Of
CONGRESS ENDS
PROBABLY MOST MOMENTOUS
SESSION IN HISTORY, AND ONE
OF GREAT SHMENT.
Army Draft Law, Two War Credit
Measures. Authorizing Loans to Al
lies and Sale OF Bonds Among
Important Measures Passed.

Washington. THE extraordinary SEES
sion of congress. which began April =.
and generally regarded ms the most
momentouS in American history. WAS
adjourned sine die at 3 y. IN. 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 srS
sion, with other customary adjourn
ment and legislative procedure. includ-
| ing President Wilson's attendance ut
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
n 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 Redtield and Postmaster Gen
eral Burleson accompanied the preSi-
dent.
Among the last acts of congress
were confirmation I'm open session of
many nominations. hastily sent in 10y
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 us "A
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 10
maintain a technical right of Ameri-
cans to travel on munltion-laden yes
sells in behalf of munitions makers
interest in the war
Marking the session which h.s Just
passed into history We're its war dccl;i-
ration. provision for quick and large
increases in the nations fighting forces
on 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. aud vest
ing the president.with vast powers.
Looming ahead for disposition at the
December session are further ENJOY
nous appropriations for this and next
year, great tax and bond bills and "a
mass of other war and domestic legs-
lation 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
of S640,OOOOOO for airplanes. the
espionage act, control Of foods. feeds
and fuel; the trading with the enemy
act. including authority for the presi-
dent to embargo imports. the soldiers
and sailors insurance act and two war
budget bills.
i'tSih'H luIlnfT IntnU-
facture or Importation of distilled hev-
erages and authorizing the president in
the food control bill to stop or curtail
that of beer and wines, the senate by
a vote of Co to 20 also passed the
Sheppard resolution. proposing ma
tional dry amendment to the federal
constitution. 1t is pending in the
house for action at the December SEES
sion.
The house created a special commit.
tee on woman suffrage, while the sen.
ate favorably reported the Susan Il
Anthony amendment proposing an
equal franchise amendment to the con
stitution. The latter will be pressed
next session.
Several bills passed the senate and
house. but failed of joint approval and
remain pending on the calendar
Among them are the soldiers and sail
ors' civil rights bin. the daylight saw
ing measure, the Webb export bill, the
measure regulating the killing OF
migratory birds and the national prohi
bition measure. The proposed Coiom
Dian treaty for payment of S25. 900 DOC
in satisfaction of her loss of the Pan.
anna canal zone, also failed of senate
ratification and is on the calendar