The labor world. [volume] (Duluth, Minn.) 1896-current, 1918-06-29
WHAT CONGRESS IS DOING,


Woman suffrage and nationwide
prohibition as a war measure con-
tinued this week as the centers Of in
terest in crowded legislative calen-
dar which congress hopes to clear up
with view to recessing early next
month.
The house resolution proposing SUBJ
mission of a woman suffrage amend
ment to the federal constitution was
called up in the senate Thursday and
a vote is expected soon. With two
thirds majority necessary for adop-
ton of the resolution, both sides still
claim victory.
Hearings on the Jones prohibition
amendment to the $11,O00,000 emer-
gency agricultural appropriation bill
were resumed Tuesday by the senate
agricultural committee. Opposition
of the shipping board to the amend
ment because of the effect it might
have on the output of ships may pre-
cipitate a controversy in which posi-
BILE Intervention by President Wilson
may be a deciding factor.
Without dissenting vote the house
has passed and sent to the senate the
alien anarchist deportation bill au-
thorizing immedite deportation of
aliens subscribing in whole or in part
to the tenets of anarchism.
Ia It'll
which about 100000 acres Of West
ern Indian reservation lands will be
opened to private development for
minerals required for war purposes.
The land is to be operated on a roy
atty basis for the benefit of the In
dians
After an animated discussion the
house agreed to the senate amend
ment in the naval-bill increasing per-
manently the enlisted strength of
the navy from 87,1S0 to 131, 4S5.
Senator Kenyon has introduced a
bill to meet the recent decision of the
supreme court holding the child labor
law unconstitutional. The bill is
drawn on the same lines as the Over
man Espionage act, and would deny
the use of the mails to any concern
employing child labor. The bill was
referred to the postoffice committee
over the protest Of the author, who
announced that if that committee did
not report the measure out he would
carry the fight to the floor of the
senate.
A bill to prohibit "cost-plus" con-
tracts and to annul government con-
tracts secured through the payment of
or promises of commission or use of
influence, was introduced by Senator
Poindexter of Washington. 1t was
referred to the judiciary committee,
A bill providing for the purchase of
the Virginian railway, running from
the coal fields of West Virginia to
tidewater at Norfolk, and of $4,000
acres of West Virginia coal land at a
cost of $115, 000,000, was introduced
by Senator Lewis. He based the pro-
posal upon the necessity of absolutely
insuring at all times an adequate sup
ply of coal for the navy.
A bill which would give the presi-
dent full and complete authority over
all shipping coming within American
waters was passed by the house. It
confers upon the executive authority
to fix freight and, charter rates and
sailing regulations of every character.
The attitude of the house on ma
tional prohibition was sounded by a
resolution of Representative Randall
of California, prohibitionist, calling on
President Wilson to inform the house
whether any order has been issued by
the fuel administration curtailing the
supply of coal to liquor manufacture
ers. It was adopted 204 to AZ.
In an hour and twenty minutes the
sundry civil appropriation bill, carry
ing about $2,500,o00,000 was passed
by the senate. It now goes to confer
ence.
BY rushing through the. money
measures needed by July / and clean
ing up numerous other pressing leg
islative affairs, leaders of both houses
hope that recess of about three
weeks can be arranged about July 10
or IL until Aug. or 6.