Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1919-11-21
SUMMARY Of WORK
DOVE BY CONGRESS-
DURING SESSION.
Two VetoeS of President
Wilson Overriden-Treaty
Fight Outstanding Feature
at Capital

WASHINGTON. NQY 20.-While
consideration Of the treaty of Yer
sailles was the outstanding event OF
the first session of the sity-siXth
congress-the first in six years r.
which Republicans have controlled
both branches-considera impor
tant legislation was completed and
many other measures prepared for
disposal when the regular meeting
begins December l.
The session closing today was an
extraordinary one convened May 19
under a call cabled from Paris. May
7. by President " lson to consider
primarily the appropriate bills
which failed at the session ending
last March 3.
Among the principal legislative
achievements wee e:
Submission of the woman suffrage
constitutional amendment, to the
states for ratification. The amend
ment resolution was adopted 304 to
SO by the house as it's first Legislative
act, and by the senate June 4, Sc to
Is.
Two vetoes Overrioen
The prohibition enforcement bill,
providing for enforcement of the war
time and constitutional prohibition
passed oveg President Wilson's veto
The act repeating the daylight saw.
ing law also passed over the presi-
dents veto.
Providing for return of telegraph,
telephone and cable wire lines to
private operation
Continuing government control of
dyes to January Is next.
Extension of the Lever food and
fuel control law to clothing and
other necessaries and penalizing
boarding and profiteering.
Granting permanent rank to Gen
eral Pershing
Providing for demoblizing the
army 20 a peace basis of approxi-
mately 100000 men, pending + rma-
nent peace-time legislation.
Authorizing completion of the gov
eminent railroad in Alaska.
Continuing wartime passport re-
strictions so as to prevent an influx
of radical aliens.
Ten appropria ton kills, aggregat-
ing dDOul pO,OOOv 'ub,UOu' dloO wei Z
passed. They included $3.50 600. 900
for The railroad administrations;
$772, 100000 for the a: =: s6t6, )00,-
600 for the navy. and sundry civil
budget of 100000.
Treaty FighS
Numerous minor bills and resolu-
lions also were enacted but, no at
tempt was made to pass over the
presidents veto the Cummins bill
to restore the pre-war rate making
powers of the Interstate commerce
commission.
The German treaty so engrosse ed
senate attention that 1t shut off coil
sideration of much Legislation. Sen
ate discussion of the treaty began
May %. but the document itself was
not submitted by President w lson
until July 10. Committee hearings
and consideration required two
months. the report with fourteen res
ervations being made to the Senate
September 10.
Deliberations on the treaty evoked
one of the most bitter and prolonged
contests between congress and the
president in American history, with
the controversy centered largely
about the League of Nations cove
nant.
Important Measures Go over
Another treaty the Panama canal
settlement with Colombia proposing
payment of $25,0OO,0OO by the United
States also remains in the commit
tee. 1t was reported to the senate
but later W thdra wn because of 90
lombian DEGREES regarded as inimical
10 American interests.
Several important legislative meas
ures went over for final action at
the regular session. The oil. coal
gas and phosphate land-leasing bill
was passed by both bodies and re-
n aims in conference, as does the
Edge bill authorizing organ zatien
Of corporations to help finance Amer
lean export trade.
The Esch railroad bill passed the
house and will be taken up with the
senate interstate commerce commits
tees bill at the December session
The house also passed and sent 20
the senate bills providing for de-
velopment of waterpower project
for esta blishment of federal budget
system, and providing a permanent
government shipping policy.
There were numerous investiga.
lions during the extra session. Be-
sides the house inquiries into avia-
ton. ordnance. contracts and other
war department activities, the SEN
ate investigated the steel strike.
Mexican situat on, the aco9l situation
and other matters. 1t also authorized
investigation of the print paper sit
uation.
Army Legislation
Preliminary steps looking to revi-
sion of tariff and internal revenue
laws also were taken, with general
revis on planned during the regular
session.
The effort to reap war taxes on
soft drinks and other luxuries failed.
Permanent army legislation was
advanced beth by the senate and
house military committees. which
completed hearings on peace-ttme
arm proposals and are prepared 70
present bills in the new session pro-
viding for a permanent army of
about 100000 men as compared with
the war departments request for
100000.
Bills to increase pay of the navy
personnel also are in readiness.
Controversies during the extra ses-
sion resulted from opposition to sen
ate confirmatio of Attorney General
Palmer and Comptroller of Currency
John Shelton Williams. The former
was confirmed, hut the latter's nomi-
nation still is pending.
The house refused to seat Repre-
sentative-Fle Victor Berger, So
alist. of Milwaukee. because of his
attitude during the war and ousted
John F. Fitzgerald, Democrat, Of
Massachusetts, whose election was
contested by Peter league, of BOs-
ton.
\ Six months to the day afteh the
congress convened in special session,
the house formally adjourned at 4:0z