The sun., 1919-03-02
65TH CONGRESS
MADE RECORDS
IN MANY WAYS
High Mark in Money Legis-
lation Set by ApprOpria-
lions of 81 Billions.
PASSED BIGGEST TAX LAW
Draft Army, Spy Bill and War
Risk Insurance Among
Credits Of Sessions.
Special Despatch to TEE Sun.


Special Despatch to TEE Bun
WARRINGTON, March 1.-On March
the Sixty-fifth Congress OF the United
States will come to a close and the
greatest epoch In the parliamentary
history Of the United States will be fin
ished. No other Congress ever appro-
priated so much money or passed so
many pieces of legislation that at
dected the United States as has the
Congress about to come to a close.
Two declarations Of war. the first on
April 6. 1917. against the Imperial Ger
man Empire. and the second on De-
cember I. 1917, against Austria Hun
gary. alone give the Sixty-hfth Con-
CESS a claim to fame. It Is the one
great war Congress in United States
history, No other single Congress, ex-
eept the Fifty-fifth. which was in con-
hrol in the Spanish war. had ever de-
clared a war. passed the nece ssary leg
islation for the conduct of the war and
remained In session until the end Of
the war was in sight.
Three sessions of the Sixty-flfth Con-
gress have been held. On March 81,
1918. the Imperial German Empire, hav-
ing declared ruthless submarine war
fare. President Wilson issued procla-
nation calling for a special session.
On April 2, 1917. the Congress con-
vened. and on April 6. 1917. war had
been declared to exist with the I'M
perial German Empire. and the Sixty
fifth Congress. destined to be the great
est in American history from the View
nf Oh M
Big War Measures Passed Quickly.
The first session was devoted to the
speedy passage Of big war measures.
One after another mea sures went before
this Congress. and with. virtually little
or no debate were readily passed. and
the country turned its entire efforts TO
war making. During this session the
appropriations were staggering, but
they were comparatively small TO
those appropriations during the follow
ing session.
The total appropriations were $16.-
01.e66,sl4. During this session the
draft army was started and within four
months after the converting of the Con-
gress the first draft army of $4,000
men was In the making.
The second session, which opened on
Monday. December 3. 1918, was devoted
TO perfect!ng the war machine. Reac-
ton against the rapid method OF legisla-
ton In the first session began to set In.
and Investigations OF the methods of the
executive part OF the Government opened
in Congress.
During the entire session marked and
constant conflict occurred between the
legislative and executive departments.
with the latter, always supported by
President Wilson. uniformly victorious
This session saw many spectacular
fights. the most notable being that led
by Senator Chamberlain OF Oregon, a
Democrat and chairman of the Military
Affairs Committee.
After an investigation OF the War De-
partment he made speech in New
York in which he announced the "con-
plete failure OF the war machine" Presl-
dent Wilson issued a sharp rebuke to
the Oregon Senator. opening a fight
which continued during almost the en-
tire session. Senator Chamberlain an
swered the Presidents rebuke upon the
floor and charged that the War Depart
ment had failed in almost every branch
He was supported by a majority OF the
Republican leaders and some Demo
cratic leaders. notably Senator Hitch.
cock OF Nebraska and Senator Mcclellan
Of Tennessee.
Chamberlain for War Cabinet.
Senate a proposition TO create a wal
cabinet which partially would have re-
moved from Secretary Baker control Of
conducting the war. For many week.
the fight surged on the floor. with man,
outbursts of hot debate arfd~i it'll -~eflV
Administration leaders constantly sup
porting tho President and his Cabinet
President Wilson took hand in thu
night again and publicly appealed tt
COnRTaaa In m 7
measure and hold up his hands Thu
measure finally died upon the floor o.
the Senate.
In the second session. members begal
TO charge that the President and the ex
ecutive departments were carrying on
gradual ''usurpation of the Legislative
functions" This charge was first mad
when the food control bill was passe
ana put into the hands Of the Presiden
the power to make rules and regula
tions regarding the production and con
sumption of food and fuel.
Continual charges of usurpation b
members Of Congress came TO a china
when the Overman bill was presented
This gave to the President the au
thorty to readjust the Government
executive departments, but the power
were never definitely announced. Mem
bers OF Congress appealed to the Pres
I
obtain, but he steadfastly denied an
specific reasons for wanting the bill. an
II was finally passed and once again III
President had proved that he carrie
the support of the Sxty-flfth Congress.
While members OF Congress had fe
they were making great appropriation
during the first session Of the Sixty-fift
Congress, at the conclusion OF the sec
ond session they found that they ha
oil ntff1 IL ~ h. Arut1 .as
sion because they had Appropriated $40
2sS,405,22307. a sum more than twic
a. large as the total appropriations {
the first session.
The third session began after II
signing Of the aTmistice. This seEsio