Evening journal., 1919-03-04

sixty-nfth Congress which ended its
career at noon today. achieved some
remarkable legislative victories, and
suffered many defeats. It did things
it should have done, and didnt enact
reconstruction measures equally i'm
poriant 20 the country's welfare. 10 was
The nations War Congress and claimed
considerable credit for the winning Of
the war But It failed miserably as
reconstruction Congress.
This is what your War Congress did:
Convened In special session by pro-
clamation OF the President, April ?,
1917, and was I'm almost continuous ses-
sion, excepting election and holiday re-
cesses, until the hour 10 adjourned sine
dine.
Democrats were I'm majority I'm both
houses. Their leaders in the house
were Speaker Clark and Claude Kiichin;
leaders in the senate, Martin, simmons
and Lewis
At the special session OF the Senate
Immediately preceding the extra session
of Congress, there was passed a~modi-
lied cl0turc rule under which public
business might Doe expedited.
On April =, 1917, the German was
resolution was introduced in the house,
and on April 6 the president attached
his signature 90 that measure, after It
had passed both houses in record time
despite the opposition OF small min
3rity Of both Republicans and Demo-
crlts.
The next important act authorized an
issue Of bonds 60 meet expenditures for
'he national security and defense and
fer the purpose OF assisting in the
prosecution of the war, TO extend credit
10 foreign governments and for other
purposes. This paved the way for Lib
srly Loans.
public Act No. II was another I'm
2ortant piece of war legislation. This
authorized the president 60 increase
e temporarily the military establishment
" the United states by the drafting Of
men aged 2i-3i.
Congress then, by resolution, author
zad the president TO take over any YES
iel owned in whole or part by any cor
,oration. citizen or subject OF any ma
ion with which the United states was
II war. This brought about the legal
eiZlre OF the tremendous German ship
,ing lnterned in American harbOrs. -
Passed war revenue act increasing IN
,ome taxes taxing excess profits and
Increasing internal revenue taxes.
The war risk insurance acts per
mtied marine insurance for ships and
.argoes and life insurance for Ameri-
,an soldiers and sailors, all at cost.
Public Act No. % appropriated the
largest sum Of money any Congress
had ever appropriated i'm one act. 3d.
2siOgi.5ii.60 for military and naval eX-
penditures.
The espionage act made it possible
'or the government TO ferret out ana
punish pro-Germans and anti-Ameri-
cans who sought to give aid to our
enemies.
National war time slogan, Freedom
For All. Forever" introduced in reso-
luton form by Congressman Carl Van
DYKE. commander-in-chief, United Span
ish War Veterans.
Food and fuel administrations were
authorized.
During the first session OF this Con-
sress appropriation bills allowing the
expenditures OF SlS.S79iUOii 96 were
passed. or this S1O00O00OO0 were
loans TO our allies. Additional appro-
priations amounting TO S2,Jii,j03,92J.J 30
for contract authorizations, brought the
'otal appropriations up TO S2i,39O 49,
)i0.i6.
In the second session this Congress
did:
Declared a state Of war existing be
tween the United states and Austro-
Hungarian empire.
Launched the nation upon a tremend-
Gus shipbuildins program by creating
the United States shipping Board
Emergency Fleet Corporation.
Took away from private interests
practically all the railroads including
railroad equipment and turned the
whole thing into one railway system
under the control Of the United states
Railroad Administration.
Passed the Third and Fourth Liberty
Loan acts, increasing the amount or
bonded indebtedness from S7,53s, ,94o, 400
10 s2OOOO.OOOOO0.
War finance corporation and capital
issues committee created.
National housing scheme launched by
the appropriation Of s60,OO0,OOO to build
dwelling houses for war workers en-
plOyed in congested centers.
Congressman Denton (Ind.) introduces
resolution granting Federal charter 10
War Mothers Of America.
Vocational rehabilitation and return
20 civil employment of disabled sol
diers provided for.
Passed daylight savinS bill.
Appropriation records were again
broken by the passage OF Public ACT