Evening public ledger. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1914-1942, 1920-06-05
PRESENT congress
SET new RECORD
Measures Of Vital Importance to
Nation Enacted Into
Law
WORK ALL CONSTRUCTIVE
Bv a star Correspondent

cluded the first section Of the recon.
struction program following the world
war. This session Ia regarded as one
Of the most important OF recent years
and was replete with clashes between
the two parties and disturbances in the
ranks of the majority party. Never.
theless, 1t has accomplished a vast
amount Of constructive work.
Although the Congress was attacked
by President Wilson today on the
ground that II had failed to enact legis-
lation recommended by him nine months
ago, and was accused Of placing .polit'
ical expediency above the national well
fare, IL has passed more legislation than
any other in the same length OF time
that ever sat in the Capitol.
Chief among the measures enacted
into law was the railroad bill, the out
growth of thirty two plans proposed FOR
the relief Of the transportation lines.
When the legislators embarked on this
they were dealing with an interest rep
resenting 500. 900. 900, 900 and involving
the property rights Of OWNERS and
thousands Of security holders, as well as
900. 900 laborers. It Is further cstl-
mated that 10000, 900 persons are di-
rectly interested in n pecuniary way. II
those affiliated with the railway bust
ness are considered. This bill. It is
declared, eill stand out as IN example
of the constructive legislative ability Of
Congress.
Merchant Marine Foundation Laid
The shipping bill, dealing with ocean
transportation. lays the foundation for
the upbuilding Of an American mer-
chant marine, although permitting the
government to remain in the ship own
ing business for many years to come. 1t
lays down the future policy of the ship
ping board. and directs that the govern
ment- owned boats be sold as soon as
practicable consistent with good busi-
ness judgment. No more ships are to
be built by the government, but fund
of $50, 100000 is to be set aside
irh year from the sale Of vessels and
operating profits, to be made the basis
Of loans to commercial organizations
engaged in the building Of boats. The
membership on the board Is increased
rom five to seven persons. and the
coastwise laws of the United States are
extended to our island possessions.
step toward getting the country
back to normal as quickly as possible,
with view to reducing taxes and re-
opening our foreign trade. was taken
ing the bulk of our war laws.
Food. Control Act Retained
Congress declined to repeal the food
control and trading with the enemy
acts. The former contains provisions
against profiteering that are held to be
more drastic and effective than any law
Congress can pass under its peace
power. The latter law furnishes the
only authority for regulating the trade
carried on with Germany and her allies.
The bonus bill slumbers in the Sen
ate. The popgun tariff bills. designed
to aid infant industries, failed in the
last days of the session under a fill
buster against such legislation, and in
protest Of the methods used by the pro
ponents of the coal tar chemical tariff
bill to push it through the Senate.
Budget Bill Vetoed
The budget bill, designed to effect
economies in the government. had n
stormy passage. Passed by the House
without dissenting vote. and later by
the Senate, 1t was vetoed yesterday by
the President and again brought before
Congress with the Objectionable sections
eliminated.
All the regular appropriation bills,
thirteen in number. calling for an OK
penditure OF nearly $4,000, 900 900.
have been passed. The various depart
ments, bureaus, boards and commissions
under executive control asked for some :
thing more than $5 1000. .0On, 900. MANY
items. like 81 ZOO. 600 900 interest on
the public debt. could not be cut. and
S2Io.om. 900 was set aside to reduce
the public debt. More than 5000 900, :.
600 was srt aside for contingencies
such as damages to railroads under mn E.
tional control and claims for stolen
merchandise during the control pcriod.
$500. 200. 900 for Pensions
Independent Of pensions to soldiers
nnd their dependents Of previous wars
ms congress appropriated more than
N"oo, ,oOO,OOO for pensions. vocational
framing. compensation and insurance
Tor soldiers and sailors of tho world
war After making all these provisions.
cut Of 81 800 900 900 was effected in
the other appropriation measures.
The thirteen appropriation bills are .
Urgent deficiency for 1920, Indian.
i"2l ; postofhcc, rivers and harbors'
diplomatic and consular. deficiency
second, for 1920 agriculture, militayy
academy, legislative, executive and IN I.
dicial. naval, District Of Columbia for
tifications, army, railroad deficiency.
sundry civil. legislative. executive and
judicial; deficiency, third, for 1920.
The water power bill. designed Ia
utilize the forces Of nature. after being
before the Congress for twelve wears
was passed, The oil land loasins law
came as result of years of agitation
for the retention In public ownership OF
title to lands containing OIL coal ana
other essential minerals. Oil, coal and
phosphate lands throughout the Limited
States and Alaska are now being oner.
ated under its provisions.
Prohibition and woman suffrage are
product of this session of Congress.
The industrial cripples bill. which nro =.
poses, by 90 operation with the states.
to train the unfortunates and make
them self supporting. also became a
law at this session. After activities
covering a period of twenty years the
proponents of the retirement law for
federal employees have seen their work
crowned with success. The women's 1
buTeau. in the Department of Labor
has been established by law.
Under recent Legislation the veterans
Of the world wdr may pay their insur
ance premiums at their local postofices
They also may secure policies simila,
to those offered by the commercial in
surance companies.
In carrying out its policy of re
trenchment this. Congress in a singI,
measure ordered the reduction in IN,
number Of government clerks in Wash.
ington from 100000 TO 40 900.
Goethals Quits ship Concern
New York. June 5.-(By A. PO-
Genrge w. Gnethals. ns nresident ~