The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1918-04-06
WHAT CONGRESS IS DOING

The senate has passed the war de-
partment bill authorizing the presi-
dent to requisition timber and lum-
her and to conduct logging operations
for the army, navy, and the emergency
fleet corporation 1t is now in the
house. An amendment was added
providing that in removing lumber
from forests the forest laws must be
observed to reduce the chances of
fires. The bill was further amended
so as to authorize the government to
take timber from forest reserves.
The senate committee on education
and labor has favorably reported the
bill to appropriate $4,000 for the
education of illiterate enlisted men
ir the army
The house has adopted an amend
nent to the postal bill increasing by
$500 year the pay of clerks and car
riers in first and second-clas offices
now receiving from $500 to $1,000 a
year.
Senator Chamberlain has introduced
a resolution which would grant to
all members of the military and naval
forces of the United States authority
to accept decorations conferred upon
them bv any of the governments OF
the Allies.
Last Tuesday afternoon the house
passed the bill increasing the salaries
of field employees of the postal serv-
ice. An amendment was adopted
providing for wider use of aero
planes in the postal service. Another
amendment extends the parcel post
system by providing for experiments
in motor-truck service in carrying
produce from the farm to the cities.
Congressman Bankhead of Ala
bama has introduced a bill appro-
priating $4,000 to enable the COM
missioner Of education to devise
methods of teaching adult illiterates:
Secretary Of the Interior Lane ap-
Feared before the house committee
on water power to urge prompt ac-
ton on the pending water power bill.
He said water power development
should be stimulated Immediately as
a means toward the conservation of
coal next winter.
The senate last Thursday passed
the Indian bill, carrying a total of
$11,000,000. The bill is now in con-
ference.
The senate last Friday adopted an
amendment to the draft law provid-
ing for the registration Of all young
men who" have reached the age of
FL since June S, 1917. The proposal
of Senator New of Indiana in the
shape of an amendment providing for
universal military training was re-
jected by a vote of sc to &c.
Senator Nelson of Minnesota has
introduced a resolution calling upon
the secretary of war to furnish a list
of all noncombatant officers in the
army who have been commissioned
since the beginning Of the war: The
secretary was also asked to supply
the names Of all officers who are
not assigned to active command either
in the United States or in Europe.
1lldl dCLlOll WIS tdhSIl J. ANdy III
the house on the bill which was: un-
Ger discussion for three days appro'
rriating $7,500,00O~ to be loaned ia
agriculturists to purchase seed grain
and $2,500,00O for the mobilization
Of labor for gathering the harvest
the measure being adopted by a vote
of $50 to g.. During consideration
the measure was made to apply. tC
the entire country instead of farmers
in the spring-wheat belt,
The house last Friday afternoon be-
gan debate on the bill appropriatint
| $50,000,0O0 for the construction Of
| housing facilities for workmen en-
gagged in war industries. The com
| mittee in charge Of the measure ha:
agreed to an amendment by which az
additional $10,000,000 would be added
for the construction of government
hotels in Washington for the housing
of Federal employees.
A resolution providing for the tax
ing over and operating by the gov
eminent of packing houses was in
troduced Wednesday by Senate
Thompson of Kansas, and: referred 4
the agriculture committee. -: ::
| In record-breaking time the senat
late Wednesday passed the new Lib
erty Loan bill authorizing $4,000,
100000 more bonds, additional loan
Of $1,500,000,000 to the Allies an
! increase Of treasury indebtedness Ger
tifcates from $4,000, 900, 900 to SO,
900 100000. The measure alread
has been passed by the house an
Slight differences now will be adjust
| ed in conference.