The Pulaskian., 1917-10-19


 tration has received everything it askef war.
 Congress was Tn session 188 days During that time more than 10000 army, navy and marine corps nomina- tons sent to the senate were con firmed, among them the advancement of Major General Pershlng. comman- der in chief of the armies in France, and Major General Bliss, chief of staff, to the rank of full general, held only four times previously in American his tory. The only important appointment held up was that of Col Carl Reich mann. to be a brlgadier general. Ac- tion was blocked until the December session because 1t was charged he ut l tered pro-German sentiments.
 An unprecedented feature of the session was the reception of the spe- cial missions sent to the United States by the allied governments, and the special representatives of Great Brit ain, France, Belgium, Italy. Russia and Japan addressed both houses. Inyi- tations of the British and French gov ernments to have the United States send a congressional mission across the Atlantic to see war conditions and cooperate with the interparliamentary congress were rejected.
 Important Measures Passed.
 Following is a list of the most i'm portant measures passed by congress: Resolution declaring a state of war exists between the imperial German government 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 house and on April 6, or four days after the assembling of congress, the president attached his signature to the measure. No delay was involved in the passage of this resolution, perhaps the most important ever offered either in this or any other congress.
 General deficiency appropriation act, appropriating $163. .841. .400.52, of which S100-000,000 was for the national se- eurity and defense and for each and every purpose connected with the war.
 Act authorizing an issue of bonds to meet expenditures for the national se- curity and defense and for the pur- | post of assisting in the prosecution of 1 the war and to extend credit to for eign governments and for other pur- poses. This act appropriated S3,007,- 063,945.46 for establishing credits in the United States for foreign govern ments by purchase of bonds of our all lies and expenses incident to prepara- ton and issue of bonds and certifl- eates; authorizes the issue of bonds amounting to $5.063, 945, ,460, of which s GOO 100000 is for meeting the loans authorized to foreign governments, $2,000,000000 to meet domestic ex- penditures. and $63. .945, AGO to redeem the three per cent loan and also au- thorizes $2,000,000,000 of one year cer- tifeates 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 appropriating S273, ,046, ,332. 50 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 q selectiYe draft of 1,00,000000 men and contains other im- 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 S7 900 to 150,000 men. In the first instance, and from 17,400 to 30.- GOO. in the second.
 Act appropriating S1,344S96.1S for the support of the military academy for the fiscal year 1918 and for other purposes.
 Largest Single Grant In History.
 Act to amend an act entitled An Act to Regulate Commerce" as amend ed. in respect of car service, and for other purposes.
 Act amending the war risk insur- ance act and appropriating S45 10000 to insure vessels and their cargoes and expenses connected herewith.
 Act appropriating $147 ,363, ,92s.77 for the sundry civil expenses of the gov ernment for the fiscal year 1918.
 Act authorizing the issue to states and territories and the District of Co lumbla of rifles and other property for the equipment of organization of home guards.
 Act approprlating s3,2S1, ,094, 541 50