Shoshone journal. [volume] (Shoshone, Idaho) 1884-1931, 1917-10-12
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.-Th extraordinary ses-
sion % congress. which began April 2,
and generally regarded as the most
momentOus in American hlEtOry, was
adjourned sine die at 3 p. Il on DC
tober s.
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. inelud-
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 B.
During Interruptions. of the days de-
bate congress found time TO dispose OF
a few last moment matters with Presl-
dent Wilson in attendance during the
last hour in his room near the senate
chamber signing bills. Secretaries Ian
eral Burleson accompanied the presl-
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, 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 Ameri-
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 its war decla-
ration: provision for quick and large
increases in the nations fighting forces
on land. sea and in the air; apprOpria-
tons 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
mass Of other war and domestic legis-
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 S64O,OOO,OOO for airplanes, the
espionage act, control of foods. feeds
and fuel; the trading with the enemy
act. including authority for the presi-
dent 10 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
a vote of 60 to 20 also passed the
Sheppard resolution. proposing a ma
tionaI 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 SEN
ate favorably reported The Susan B.
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 bill, 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 Colon |
bian treaty for payment of S25,OoO,OOO !
in satisfaction of her loss Of the PAN /
anna canal zone. also failed OF senate /
ratification and is on the calendar.
Nvbi+a Soy Win Two