The Brattleboro daily reformer. (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1913-1955, 1918-07-15
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LEAVE CAPITAL
Sessions Are Practically
Over Till Aug. 24-Brief
Meetings Meantime
MUCH ACCOMPLISHED
IN PRESENT SESSION
Members of House and Senate View
Their Achievements With Satisfac-
tion-Work of New Revenue Bill is
Started by Committee.

WASHINGTON, July l5-Exodus of
from Washington for sum-
mer vacation was in full swing yester-
day Most senators departed under the
agreement made to suspend important
business until Aug "a, although few
remain to hold the perfunctory sessions
Mondays and Thursdays each week re-
quired by law, while many representa-
tives left town in anticipation of formal
agreement by the house for a similar va
cation until Aug. 49,
In preparing for their brief rest, lead
ers viewed with satisfaction the record
of legislation made since the second ses-
sion OF the Goth or. war" congress began
Dec. 3, 1917. Beginning with adoption of
the resolution for declaration OF war
on Austria Hungary on Dec 7, the record
is considered remarkable in view of the
unprecedented Importance of most of the
problems presented
Drafting of the revenue measure was
begun today by the house ways and means
committee behind closed doors with a
view to its presentation to the house i'm
mediatey after the three-day recess pc
Rod ends and during the vacation period
senate military subcommittee also will
proceed with their army inquiries, while
conferees on a few measures in conference,
including the oil land leasing bill will meet
In addition to the war resolution and
| appropriation bills totaling billions OF
dollars the principal measures enacted
at this session of Congress were:
To place railroads under government
control during the war.
| Authorizing the President to control
telegraph, telephone, cable and radio sys
TENS until peace is declared
| Creating war finance corporation with
funds to aid the government and pri
vate business during the war.
Extending espionage and sedition laws
The Overman bill, giving the President
authority to recognize and coordinate
government departments.
Extending the draft law to youths at
tanning their majority, and also to sub
jects of the allies and certain neutrals
Authorizing an additional $1,000 600, 00'
in Liberty bonds.
! In. addition tos these measures Congress
also adopted the resolution submittin.
to the states a proposed national prohi
bition amendment to the federal consti
tution the house adopted and the senat
IS expected to act soon after the holida.
on that for a similar woman suffrag
amendment, Five times thus far durin
the session President Wilson has addresse,
the senate and house. in joint session, o.
Dec. 4 to recommend war with Austria
on Jan. 8 and again Feb ii regardin
peace problems, on Jan. 4 to reeommen
federal control of railroads, and on Ma
q to have Congress remain in session an
proceed with new war revenue Legislation
now being framed by the house ways an
! means committee.
Minor business before Congress inclu(
ed the housing program, extending tn
alien property custodian's powers; tn
daylight saving law, enactment of the so
diers' and sailors civil rights bill and til
Webb exporters combination measure
Numerous investigations of army and n:
Wy activities, aircraft production, the CO;
and sugar situations and shipbuilding a
50 were made by congressional committee