The daily banner. (Cambridge, Md.) 1897-2008, 1917-12-10

StILS cll NSSoIlo OGlOLI LIZ, " SlliGCAis'
of enemy nations. 1t was under this
Act that the enemy vessels which
were interned in the rivers and har-
bors of the United States and the
colonial possessions were taken
charge of by the Government; not,
however, until many of them had
been so crippled by their former Of
| ficers and crews as to render their
mediate use impossible.
"On the 18th of June the Espion-
age bill passed Tor the protection of
the Government, against alien enc
mics, and mada their crimes punish
able by severe fines and imprison-
ment, OF both. The same bill gave
the President absolute control over
the movements of all vessels, foreign
and domestic N the territorial wa
ters of the United States, with the
right to take possession of the same.
1t penalized injury TO foreign YES
sells within the same waters and for
bade interference with or obstruction
of exports to other countries. 1t au-
thorized the President to withhold
clearance of vessels carrying sup
plies or information to belligerent
nations and the detention of any
armed vessels domestic 7r foreign,
coming within the waters Of the
United States, and to seize arms and
ammunition intended for export. 1t
authorized him 20 prohibit eXporta-
tons to any or al countries by pro-
claimation, except st such times and
under such regulations as he might
fix, ana empowered him to refuse
clearance TO any vessel, domestic or
foreign, carrying such goods. This
act was extremely broad III its terms
and covered many conditions that
might arise and which threatened
danger to the country.
"One of the most important mea
sures is that of June Is, 1917, ap-
propriating S750,000,000 for the
construction of a merchant marine to
take the place of shipping now being
destroyed by the ruthless submarine
policy of the Imperial German Gov
ernment. 1t is hoped that, when
once under full headway, the losses
sustained in the ocean-carrying busi-
ness will be more than compensated
for by the construction OF new YES
sells.
THE act which evoked much bit
ter criticism and opposition, both in
the Senate and in the House of Rep
resentatives, is that of August 10,
1917, known as the Food Control
Bill. Its constitutionality as well as
its provisions were asSailed, and yet,
when the vote was had, few in either
body voted against it-another evil
dence that the Congress has been
and is ready to do all that may be
deemed necessary in this crisis.
Another act of equal Importance
is that of August 10, providing for
the stimulating of agriculture and
facilitating the distribution of agri-
culture products. These two meas
ures, taken together, will enable the
President and those appointed by
him, to carry out their terms to sta
bilize prices and control the food
products of the country, both for our
own and our allies uses.
The act of June II, 1917, amen
datory of the war risk insurance
measure of September 2, 1914, pro-
vides for the insurance of the officers
and men of merchant vessels, pro-
yides for the insurance of the officers
aeffffta eIGen Of merchant vessels pro- |
vides compensation in cases of per-
manent disability incurred in the
course of their business, and broad
ems the former act in it's terms, ap-
S50,000,000 for carrying
out the purposes thereof.
''One of the very important meas
ures which passed in the closing days
of the session was the bill providing
for the insurance of soldiers and sal
lors composing the military and ma
val establishments. 1t is believed
that this measure will greatly reduce
the pensions which every war has
compelled the Government to pay
and at the same time make the men
of our Army and Navy feel that their
loved ones at home will be cared for
if in the emergency of war the worst
befalls them.
Attention has only been called to
a few of the more important meas
ures that have been passed at this
session of Congress. There are nu-