The Laurens advertiser. (Laurens, S.C.) 1885-1973, 1919-12-31
EVENTS or 1919
PASSED IN REVIEW
Continued from IND naao Ills soc.ion

The governments first blow at the
radicals during the year was dcliv-
cred on January S when Congressman
victor L.. Berger and four other So
ciaiist leaders were found guilty by
federal jury in Chicago of consprins,
to Interfere with the successful con
duct OF the war. On February 18 they
were sentenced to 20 years imprison-
ment
On March 2 Herbert Hoover was
appointed by the president to be di-
rector general Of American relief
among the population Of Europe.
Because OF the necessity for lcgis-
lntiOn to meet the new aftcr-war CON
dltiOns. President Wilson on May 7, by
cable from Paris, called q special ses-
.sion OF congress TO convene May 49,
On May 10 the campaign for the Vic
tory Liberty loan the last popular war
loan. closed with Il heavy ovcrsub-
scriptlon OF the S1,5OO,OOO bond
issue.
The special session of the Sixty
sixth congress opened on May 10 with
dhc Republicans in control Of both
house and senate for the first time
since 1912. The house of representa-
tives was organized by the election Of
Congressman Gillett Of Massachusetts
as speaker. III the senate Senator
Cummins of Iowa was elected Dresi-
dent pro tenn.
One Of the first acts of the new
house was to pass the woman suffrage
amendment to the Constitution by n
vote Of 304 to 50. The amendment
was again brought up in the senate on
June and this time was adopted by
vote OF So to 25v
The activities OF anarchstic elc-
ments were manifested or June 2
when bombs were exploded smultan-
eously ut the residences Of ten men in
eight Eastern cities.
On July the wartime emergency
prohibition act went into effect and
for the first time in history the sale
Of liquor was illegal throughout tho
United States On July 10 President
Wilson vetoed the agricultural appro-
priation bill because Of "ridcr" re-
pealing tho daylight saving law. Con
greSs promptly passed separate bill
repeating the daylight saving Law and
when President Wilson vetoed this
measure. both houses passed the bill
over his veto Oh August 20.
The country was aroused during the
summer by n series Of race riots, the
first Of which occurred in Washington
on July 81. -Four persons were killed
in the riOting ut the capital. On July
27 the most serious race riots OF the
year began in Chicago. 1t was found
necessary to call out state troops and
before order had been restored 33
persons had been killed and hundreds
injured.
In recognition of the services which
he rendered as commandments chief OF
the American cXpcditionary forces,
General Pcrshing was made a general
for life by act OF congress. HIS com.
mission was handed to him rs he
landed on September S ut Me-, York
with the First division.
The United States entertained a
number Of distinguished officials from
abroad dnring the latter part Of the
year, including Cardinal MERCER Of
Belgium, King Albert and Queen
Elizabeth of Belgium, and tie prince
Of Wales.
During the closing weeks Of the
year determined attack upon tl:c
wartime prohibition act held the at
tentiOn Of the country. On October 27
President Wilson vetoed the stringent
prohibition enforcement bill passed
by congress on the ground that the
emergency for which the prohibition
law had been enacted, had passed
Congress Immediately passed the bill
over the presidents veto and it be-
came a law. Attacks were made upon
the prohibition law In federal courts
In all sections OF the country and vary
ing decisions were given. Appeal vas
taken 10 the United States Supreme
court which on December - upheld
the act.
/ ohor onrl IL I'll ctriol