WAR INFORMATION SERIES No. 10 « October, 1917 FIRST SESSION OF THE WAR CONGRESS ty of California srn Regional iry Facility By CHARLES MERZ as. Published bv COMMITTEE O^PUBLIC INFORMATION, Washington, D. C. WASHINGTON GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE 1917 / THE COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC INFORMATION t Established by order of the President April 14, 1917.) Distributes free, except as noted, the following publications: I. Red, White, and Blue Series: No. 1. How the War Game to America (English, German, Polish, Bohemian, Italian, Spanish, and Swedish). No. 2. National Service Handbook (primarily for libraries, schools, Y. M. 0. A.'s, clubs, fraternal organizations, etc., as a guide and reference work on all forms of war activity, civil, charitable, and military). No. 3. The Battle Line of Democracy. Prose and Poetry of the Great War. Sold at cost. Price, 15 cents. No. I. The President's Flag Day Speech with Evidence of German \ 's Pku Other issues in preparation. II. War Information Series: No. 1 . The War Message and Facts Behind It. No. 2. The Nation in Arms, by Secretaries Lane and Baker. No. 3. The Government of Germany, by Prof. Charles D. Haze:, No. 1. The Great War: from Spectator to Participant, by Prof. A. C. McLaughlin. No. 5. A War of Self Defense, by Secretary Lansing and Assistant Secretary of Labor Louis F. Post. No. 6. American Loyalty by Citizens of German Descent. No. 7. Amerikanische Bwrgertreuo. A translation of No. 6. No. 8. American Interest in Popular Government Abroad, by Prof. E. B. Greene. No. 9. Home Reading Course for Citizen-Soldiers. No. 10. First Session of the War Congress, by Charles Merz. Other issues will appear shortly. III. Offical Bulletin: Accurate daily statement of what all agencies of government are doing in war times. Sent free to newspapers and postmasters (to be put on bulletin boards). Subscription price $5 pet- year. Address requests and orders to COMMITTEE ON PUBLIC INFORMATION, Washington, D. C. SRLF YRL FOREWORD. In this summary of the legislation enacted by the first " War Ses- sion" of the Sixty-fifth Congress there is included every measure which became a law, whether or not it had a direct bearing upon the war. The order in which the acts are arranged is the order in which they were signed by the President. In each case there are given the dates upon which the act was reported and passed; the votes in the two Houses; the date upon which the conference report was accepted if one House did not concur in the other's amendments and a con- ference was thereby made necessary; and the final date upon which the act was approved, with the law number given to it. There is then added a brief synopsis of the chief provisions contained in the act. More complete information can of course be obtained by refer- ence to the act itself — a copy of which can in each case be secured upon application to the Senate and House document rooms, in Wash- ington. For purposes of convenience an index is appended. In studying this record one realizes the truth of the President's statement to the adjourning Members of Congress: 'The Sixty-fifth Congress, now adjourning, deserves the gratitude and appreciation of a people whose will and purpose I believe it has faithfully expressed. One can not examine the record of its action without being impressed by its completeness, its courage, and its full comprehension of a great task. The needs of the Army and the Navy have been met in a way that assures the effectiveness of American arms, and the war-making branch of the Government has been abund- antly equipped with the powers that were necessary to make the action of the Nation effective. "I believe that it has also in equal degree, and as far as possible in the face of war, safeguarded the rights of the people and kept in mind the considerations of social justice so often obscured in the hasty readjustment of such a crisis. "It seems to me that the work of this remarkable session has not only been done thoroughly but that it has also been done with the utmost dispatch possible in the circumstances or consistent with a full consideration of the exceedingly critical matters dealt w Best of all, it has left no doubt as to the spirit and determination of the country, but has affirmed them as loyally and as emphatically as our fine soldiers will affirm them on the firing line." In preparing this summary of congressional legislation, the com- mittee has been fortunate in having enlisted the services of so com- petent a person as Mr. Merz.. It is perhaps worthy of note that this is the first attempt by any governmental agency to prepare such a survey for popular information. George Creel. FIRST SESSION OF THE WAR CONGRESS PwbMc Resolution — No. 1. Approved, April 6. Jbedaration of war. Reported in the Senate April 2. Passed in the Senate April 4; 82 yeas, 6 nays. Reported in the House April 5. Passed in i\\o House April 5; 373 yeas, 70 nays. No conference. Whereas the Imperial German Government, has committed repeated acts of war against the Government and the people of the United States of America: Therefore be it Resolved bij the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That the state of war between the United States and the Imperial German Government which has thus been thrust upon the United States is hereby formally declared; and that the President be, and he is hereby, authorized and directed to employ the entire naval and military forces of the United States and the resources of the Government to carry on war against the Imperial German Government; and to bring the conflict to a successful termination all of the resources of the country are hereby pledged by the Congress of the United States. "The American people have no quarrel with the German people, but we have a quarrel to death with autocracy. " — Senator Tillman. "We are not waging war against the German people, but against then' military and autocratic government, which, we believe contrary to the wishes of the German people, has inflicted injuries upon us and severed the ties of friendship which have for more than a century bound us to the German people. We believe that when the military autocracy which now rules Germany has been chastened or overthrown, the ties of friendship now severed will be reunited and become firmer and stronger. In waging this war we will be aiding the free, liberal, and democratic nations to over- throw in Germany the last refuge of autocracy and militarism." — Senator Swanson. "We have submitted to outrage which could be borne only because of our conscious rectitude and of our steadfast hope that we might bring peace to stricken humanity. That hope was destroyed by the obstinate outlawry of the German Government." Representative Flood, chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affair's. "The work that we are called upon to do when we enter this war is to preserve the principles of human liberty, the principles of democracy, and the light of modern civilization; all that we most love, all that we hold dearer than life itself. In such a battle we can not fail to win. I am glad that my country is to share in this preserva- tion of human freedom. I wish to see my country gathered with the other nations who are fighting for the same end when the time for peace comes. We seek no con- quests, we desire no territory and no new dominions. We wish simply to preserve our own peace and our own security, to uphold the great doctrine which guards the American hemisphere, and to see the disappearance of all wars or rumors of wars from the East, if any dangers there exist." — Senator Henry Cabot Lodge, ranking Republican member. of the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. 5 6 FIRST SESSION OF THE WAR CONGRESS. Public — No. 1. Approved, April 11. Making appropriations to cover expenses of the current session of Congress. Reported in the House April 9. Passed in the House April 10; viva voce rote. Reported in the Senate April 10. Passed in. the Senate . April 10; A'iva voce vote. No conference. This act authorized payment of mileage expenses to members of Conj set aside $55,000 for stationery, $125 worth for each mem- ber; and appropriated salaries for messengers and pages until the 30th of June. Public — No. 2. Approved, April 17. Deficiencies appropriations act for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1917. Reported in the House. Vpril 2. Passed in the House April 3; viva voce vote. Reported in the Senate April 6. Passed in the Senate April 6; viva voce vote. Conference report accepted April 16. This was the deficiencies appropriations act which failed of enact- ment in the previous session of Congress. It carried $163,841,400.52, as compared with $57,034,118.94 in the previous year's bill, stud $11,399,025.60 for the year before. The striking increase shown in these comparisons was chiefly due to an amendment which was written into the bill in the Senate: '"'For the national security and defense, and for each and every purpose connected therewith, to be expended at the discretion of the President, and to be immedi ately available and to remain aval nineteen hundred and seventeen, $100,000,000." able until December thirty-first, Public — No. 3. Approved, April 24. Bond issue act. Reported in the House April 1 1 . Passed in the House April 14; 389 yeas, nays. Reported in the Senate April 16. Passed in the Senate April 17 ; 84 yeas, nays. Conference report accepted \pril 24. "I hope that before this day ends, before the Senate again adjourns, we shall pass this bill . 1 do not know anything that we can do at this time which will give bo much hope, so much comfort, so much confidence to our allies Avho are in the travails of war as prompt and united and whole-hearted action in the passage of this measure. It will convey to them the unmistakable assurance and guaranty that the United States has embarked on this matter in earnest."- — Senator Simmons, chairman of the Senate Finance Committee. The bond issue act authorized the Secretary of the Treasury, with the approval of the President, to borrow on the credit of the United States an amount not to exceed $5,000,000,000 for the^ purpose of meeting expenditures authorized for the national security and de- fense and other public purposes. This loan was to be secured through EltiSX SESSION 01 IHE WAS CO SS. 7 successive issues of Government bonds, which would hoar h n >t more than :U per cent. Both principal and interest w i be exempt from all taxation, except estate or inheritance ta \< v s, imposed by the Federal Government or by any State or local taxing authority. The bonds, however, were not to bear the circulation privilege. For the purpose of more effectually prosecuting the war, by estab- lishing credits in the United States for foreign. Governments, the Secretary of the Treasury was authorized to purchase, at par, from foreign Governments then engaged in war with the enemies of the United States, their obligations hereafter issued, bearing sameri of interest and containing in their essentials the same terms and con- ditions as those of the United States issued under authority of this act. For this purpose there was appropriated $3, 000.000,000, or much of that amount as might be necessary. The Secretary of the Treasury was authorized, under such terms and conditions as lie might prescribe, to receive, on or before maturity, payment for any obligations of foreign Governments. Sinn obliga- tions he was authorized to sell at not less than the purchase price, and to apply the proceeds — and any payments made by for< Governments on account of their obligations — to the redemption or purchase at not more than par and accrued interest of any bonds of the United States. It was also provided that any .-erics of bonds issued under autl of this act might be convertible into bonds bearing a higher rate interest, if any subsequent scries of bonds should be issued a1 i rate before the termination of the war between the United Si a. - and the Imperial German Government. In addition, the Secretary of the Treasury was authorized to borrow from time to time such sums as in his judgment might be necessi and to issue certificates of indebtedness at not less than par, bearing interest not to exceed 3f per cent. Certificates of indebtedness v not to bear the circulation privilege; and the sum of such certificates outstanding was at no time to exceed $2,000,000,000. These cer- tificates also were to be exempt from all taxation, except estate or inheritance taxes. Finally, the Secretary of the Treasury was authorized to depo in such banks and trust companies as he might designate the proc< arising from the sale of the bonds and certificates of indebtedness bear such a rate of interest and be subject to such terms and condi- tions as he might prescribe. Public — No. 4. Approved, April 25. Authorizing the Secretary of the Navy to assign members of the Fleet Naval Reserve to active duty for training on land. Reported in the House April 13, Passed in the House April 19; viva voce vote. Reported in the Senate April 20, Passed in the Senate April 20; viva voce vote. No conference. This act provided an amendment in existing law by striking out the words " on board ship " in the following clause : "The Secretary of the Navy is authorized to assign any member of the Fleet Naval Rese to active duty for training on board ship, upon the application of such member." g FIRST SESSION OF THE WAR CONGRESS. Public— No. 5. Approved, April 25. Providing for the extension of minority enlistments in the naval service. Reported in the House April 13. Passed in the House... April 19; viva voce vote. Reported in the Senate April 20. Passed in the Senate April 20; viva voce vote, No conference. This act provided that hereafter any enlistment for minority in the Navy or Marine Corps may be extended as is provided by law for extending an enlistment for a term of four years, under similar con- ditions and with like rights, privileges, benefits, and obligations. Public— No. 6. Approved, April 25. Authorizing the detail of additional officers to the Hydrographic Office. Reported in the House April 13. Passed in the House April 19; 262 yeas, 95 nays. Reported m the Senate April 20. Passed in the Senate . - - April 20 ; viva voce vote. No conference. This act authorized the Secretary of the Navy to detail to the Hydrographic Office such naval officers as may be necessary during the resent war. Public— No. 7. Approved, April 25. Increasing the number of midshipmen at the Naval Academy until September 1, 1918. Reported in the House April 13. Passed in the House April 19 ; viva voce vote. Reported in the Senate April 20. Passed in the Senate April 20; viva voce vote. No conference. This act provided that in addition to the number of midshipmen now authorized by law there shall be appointed during the period from the date of passage of this act until September 1, 1918, one addi- tional midshipman for each Senator, Representative, and Delegate in Congress. Nominations shall be made for these vacancies by the Senators, Representatives, and Delegates concerned for any regular or special examination that may be ordered before that date. Public— No. 8. Approved, April 25. Increasing the age limit for persons appointed as officers in the Naval Reserve. Reported in the House April 13. Passed in the House April 19; viva voce vote. Reported in the Senate April 20. Passed in the Senate April 20 ; viva voce vote. No conference. Thi act provided for an increase from 35 to 50 years in the maxi- imit of age, on first appointment, for officers of the Naval mum limit Reserve of the Naval Reserve Force. FIRST SESSION OE THE WAB CONGRESS. 9 Public— No. 9. Approved, April 30. Amending the regulations under which the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of the District of Columbia sell, hold, and convey their real estate. Reported in the Senate April 24. Passed in the Senate April 24; viva voce vote. Reported in the House April 26. Passed in the House April 26; viva voce vote. No conference. Public — No. 10. Approved, May 7. Authorizing the allied Governments to recruit from their nationals in this country. Reported in the House \ April 16. Passed in the House.. April 18; viva voce vole Reported in the Senate April 30. Passed in the Senate May 1 ; viva voce vote. No conference. Tins act amended section 10 of chapter 2 of the Criminal Code, and provided that enlistments under the new proviso shall be under regulations prescribed by the Secretary of War. Public— No. 11. Approved, May 12. Army appropriations act for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1918. Reported in the House April 2. Passed in the House April 4; viva voce vote. Reported in the Senate April 9. Passed in the Senate April 11 ; viva voce vote Conference report accepted May 8. This act set aside for the military establishment the regular appro- priations which would have been authorized even if the Nation had not gone to war. It carried $273,046,322.50, as compared with $267,596,530.10 for the fiscal year ending in June, 1917, and $101,- 959,195. 85 for the year ending in the previous June. Public Resolution— No. 2. Approved, May 12. Authorizing the President to take over enemy vessels. Reported in the Senate Aprd 30. Passed in the Senate April 30; viva voce vote. Reported in the House May 5. Passed in the House May 7; viva voce vote. No conference. This act authorized the President to take over to the United States the immediate possession of any vessel within its jurisdiction which was owned in whole or in part by a corporation, citizen, or subject of any nation with which! the United States might be at war, or which w r as under register of such a nation. Through the Shipping Board, or any other department or agency of the Government, the President was authorized to operate and equip such a vessel in any service of J I) FfEST SESSION OP THE WAR CONGBESS. the United Stat* The act also authorized and directed the See- try of the Navy to appoint, subject to the approval of the Presi- de it, a board of survey, whose duty it should be to ascertain the actual value of the vessel and its equipment, and to make a written report of their findings to be preserved as evidence in proceedings for compensation. Private — No. 1. Approved, May 12. Authorizing Senator P. G. Gerry to enter into a contract with the Sec- retary of the Navy for the use of the steam yacht Owera. Reported in the Senate April 18. Passed in the Senate April 20; viva voce vote. Reported in the House April 24. Passed in the House : May 8; viva voce vote. No conference. Mr. Gerry being a member of the Senate, it was necessary for this act to be passed before he could legally contract for the use by the Navy of his yacht, during the present war. Public— No. 12. Approved, May 18, Army [conscription] act. Reported in the House April 19. Passed in the House April 28; 397 yeas, 24 nay v, Reported in the Senate April 28. 1 Passed in the Senate May 1; 81 yeas, 8 nays. Conference report accepted May 18. " No amount of argument Avill convince me that a nation can last that does no* ha\ e the right, and, when the occasion arises, exercises the right, to compel of every citizen the doing of those things that may be necessary for the preservation of the national life.' ' — Representative Swagar Sherley. "I hie of the vices of the old volunteer system as it was in vogue during the days of the Civil War, was that the officers — colonels, majors, lieutenant colonels, captains, and lieutenants — were oftentimes appointed becamse of their political affiliations and their political standing and influence with the governor who had the appointment. The customary method was for some ambitious man to go to the governor and 'If you will appoint me colonel, I will try to recruit, a regiment.' Then he would endeavor to associate a man with him to whom he would say, 'If you will help me, I will try to get you appointed lieutenant colonel.' Then he would go to another man and promise to make him a major if he would help him, and so on down the line." — Senator Knute Nelson, who was a volunteer soldier in the Civil War. "When a man is selected under the draft there will be no stigma upon him. He will walk out from his community, and bis neighbors will point to him and say, 'There is a man who has been chosen by our country for distinguished service. He is going to light for us.' That is the selective draft. But upon the failme of the volun- teer system when conscription is resorted to, what is the situation? The finger of scorn and of shame is pointed at the conscript then and he has the mark of a coward and a slacker upon him. Which shall we choose?" — Representative Irvine L. ! .enroot. The conscription act authorized the raising of all organizations of the Regular Army to the maximum enlisted strength authorized by law; the drafting into Federal service of the National Guard and the National Guard" Reserves; and the drafting of a force of 500,000 men upon the principle of universal liahility to service. 1 Although the conscription bill was not reported in the Senate until it had been passed by the House, debate upon a similar measure was began in the Senate on Apr. 21. lll.-S! SESSION <'!•' THE WAB CONGRESS. 11 The act also authorized the President, in his discretion, to raise and begin the training of an additional force of 500,000 men; and • raise such ammunition and depot batteries and battalions as he might deem necessary, and such recruit training units as moaght be necessary to maintain the drafted forces at maximum strength. The President was further authorized to raise not more than four infantry divisions by voluntary enlistment. The provisions under which the selective draft was to be put into effect were set forth as follows: It was to apply to all male citi sens, or male persons not alien enemies who have declared their intention to become citizens, between the ages of 21 and 30, both inclusive; no bounties or substitutes were to be permitted; exemption was provided for Federal and State officers, regular or duly ordained ministers of religion, students who at the time of the approval of this act were preparing for the ministry in recognized theological or divinity schools, and all persons in the military and naval service of the United States: no person was to be compelled to serve in any of the forces provided in the act who was found to be a member of any well-recognized religious sect or organization whose existing principles forbid its members to participate in war of any form, but no such person should be exempted from service in any capacity that the President should declare Ui be noncombatant ; finally, the -ident was authorized to exclude or discharge from the draft, or to draft for partial military service only, persons of the following ;ses: County and municipal officials; customhouse clerks; persons employed by the United States in the transmission of the ma workmen employed in the armories, arsenals, and navy yards of the United States, and such other persons employed in the service of the United States as the President might designate: pilots; mariners actually employed in the sea service of any citizen or merchant within the United States; persons engaged in industries, including agriculture, found to be necessary to the maintenance of national interest during the emergency; those whose dependent relatives rendered their exclusion advisable; and those found to be physically or morally deficient. Public— No. 13. Approved, May 22. Authorizing the county of Morrison, Minn., to construct a bridge across the Mississippi River. Reported in the Senate April 21. Passed in the Senate April 21 ; viva voce vote. Reported in the House April 24. Passed in the House May 9 ; viva voce vote. No conference. Public — No. 14. Approved, May 22, Authorizing the city of Bemidji, Minn., to construct a bridge across the Mississippi River. Reported in the Senate April 18. Passed in the Senate April 18: viva voce vote. Reported in the House April 27. Passed in the House May 9: viva voce vote. No conference. 12 FIRST SESSION OF THE WAR CONGRESS. P?:biic — No. 15. Approved, May 22. Providing new regulations for enrollment in the Naval Reserve Force. Reported in the House May 4. Passed in the House May 1 ; viva voce vote. Reported in the Senate May 1 1 . Passed in the Senate May 15; viva voce vote. No conference. This act amended the naval appropriations act of August 29, 1916, by providing that persons who are not citizens of the United States, hut who have declared their intention to become citizens and who are citizens of countries which are at peace with the United States, may enroll in the Naval Reserve Force subject to the condition that they may be discharged from such enrollment at any time within the discretion of the Secretary of the Navy. By rendering honorable service in the Naval Reserve Force in time of war for a period of not less than one year such persons may become citizens of the United States without proof of residence on shore, and without further requirement than proof of good moral character and certificate from the Secretary of the Navy that such honorable service was actually rendered. Public — No. 1G. Approved, May 22. Authorizing the construction of a bridge across the Wabash River within or near the city limits of the city of Vincennes, Ind. Reported in the House April 27. Passed in the House May 9 ; viva voce vote. Reported in the Senate May 17. Passed in the Senate .May 17; viva voce vote. No conference. Public — No. 17. Approved, May 22. Temporarily increasing the strength of the Navy and Marine Corps. Reported in the House April 26. Passed in the House May 8; viva voce vote. Reported in the Senate May 1 1 . Passed in the Senate May 15; viva voce vote. Conference report accepted May 19. This act temporarily increased the enlisted strength of the active list of the Navy from 87,000 to 150,000, and of the Marine Corps from 17,400 to 30,000. It also authorized temporary appointments and advancements to be made for commissioned and warrant officers. Public Resolution — No. 3. Approved, May 22. Authorizing the erection of temporary buildings at the headquarters of the American Red Cross in the city of Washington. Reported in the Senate May 1 6. Passed in the Senate May 16 ; viva voce vote. Reported in the House May 16. Parsed in the House May 10; viva voce vote. No conference. FiRST SESSION OF THE WAK CONGRESS. 13 Public — No. 18. Approved, May 29. Military Academy appropriations act for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1918. Reported in the House April 2. Passed in the Houso__ April 4; viva voce vote. Reported in the Senate.. April 9. Passed in the Senate. April 11 ; viva voce vole. Conference report accepted May 26. This was the regular annual Military Academy appropriations act, which had failed of enactment in the previous session of Congress. It carried $1,344,896.18, as compared with $1,225,043.57 for the pre- vious year, and $1,069,813.37 for tlie fiseal year ending in June, 1916 Public— No. 19. Approved, May 29. Providing new car service regulations on railroad lines. Reported in the House April 23. Passed in the House. . May 9; viva voce vote. Reported in the Senate May 21. Passed in the Senate May 22; viva voce vote. Conference report accepted May 25. This act, aimed to strike at the car-shortage evil, authorized the Interstate Commerce Commission, either upon a complaint or upon its own initiative, to establish reasonable rules, regulations, and prac- tices with respect to car service, including the classification of cars, compensation to be paid for the use of any car not owned by a common carrier, and the penalties or other sanctions for nonobserv- ance of its rules. Whenever the commission believes that necessity exists for imme- diate action, it shall have authority to suspend the operation of any or all rules, regulations, or practices then established with respect to ear service for such time as it may decide. In case of the failure or refusal of any carrier, receiver, or trustee to comply with a direction or order with respect to car service, he is made liable to a penalty of not less than $100 nor more than $500 for each offense, and $50 for each day of the continuance of the offense. Public Resolution — No. 4. Approved, June 1. Making immediately available moneys appropriated for the investiga- tion of the pneumatic mail-tube service in the act approved March 3, 1917. Reported in the Senate May 21 . Passed in the Senate May 21 ; viva voce vote. Reported in the House May 26. Passed in the, House May 26; viva voce vote. No conference. 14 FIRST SI'.SSION OF 1HH WAR CONOilKSS. Public Resolution— No. 5. Approved, June 9. Authorizing the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution to permit the Secretary of War to erect temporary buildings in the Smithsonian Grounds. Reported in the House May 31 . Passed in the House June 2; viva voce vote. Reported in the Senate June 4. Passed in the Senate June 4 : viva v< >ee vote. No conference. The buildings to he erected under the authority granted in this act are for the use of the War Department, and are to be removed from the Smithsonian grounds within three years. Public— No. 20. Approved, June 12, Amending the war-risk insurance act. Reported in the Senate May 4. Passed in the Senate May 22; viva voce vote. Reported in the House May 26. Passed in the House June 2: viva voce vote. No conference. This amendment to the war-risk insurance act provided for the insurance by the United States of American vessels, their_ freight, and the personal effects of masters, officers, and crews against loss or damage by the risks of war, whenever it appears to the Secretary of the Treasury that adequate waar-*isk insurance on reasonable terms can not be secured elsewhere. With the approval of the Secretary of the Treasury, the Bureau of War Risk Insurance is authorized to make provisions for the reinsurance by the United States of vessels of foreign friendly flags, when these vessels are insured by the Government of any country which is at war with an enemy of the United States; and also to reinsure American vessels with the Governments of any countries which are at war with an enemy of the United States. Whenever it appears desirable to the Secretary, the owner of every American merchant vessel sfeall insure the master, officers, and crew against loss of life or persona! injury from war risks, as well as for compensation during detention by an enemy of the United States, following capture. Such insurance shall be effected either with the Bureau of War Risk Insurance or in insurance com- panies, and on terms satisfactory to the Secretary of the Treasury. In no case shall the amount be more than $5,000 or less than $1,500. Finally, in the event of the failure of the owner of any vessel to effect insurance of the master, officers, and crew prior to sailing, the Secretary is authorized to effect this insurance with the Bureau of War Risk Insurance at the expense of the owner, who shall be liable for the expense and. in addition, to a penalty of not exceeding $1,000. F1R*T SESSION OF IHE V. A B > i£ Public — No. 21. Approved, June 12. Sundry civil appropriations act for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1918. Reported in the. House Vpril 2. Passed in the House April 4; viva v voti Reported in the Senate April 9. sed in the Senate April 1 1*: viva voce vot< Conference report accepted June 7. This act carried the regular annual sundry civil appropri which failed of enactment in the previou jion of Congress. The amount appropriated by the act was f ,363,928.77, as comps with $126,788,485.24 and $122,940,750.79 for the two previous yei respectively. Public — No. 22. Approved, June Authorizing the issue of rifles and other equipment for organizations of home guards. Reported in the Senate April 16. Passed in the Senate Vpril 21 ; viva voce vote. ported in the House May 24. Passed hi the House. June 7; viva voce vote. No conference. By this act the Secretary of War was authorized to issue from time to time such rifles and other equipment as available supplies will permit for the use of home guards having the character of State police or constabulary and such other home guards as might be organized under the direction of the governors of States and Territories. Public — No. 23. Approved, June IS. War appropriations act. Reported in the House April 30. Passed in the House May 2 ; 362 • ly. Reported in the Senate May 15. Passed in the Senate * V-\ L9; viva voce vot Conference report accepted June 1 3 . lis act carried an appropriation o 1,541.60 for Army and Navy expenditures arising out of the war. In addition to the appropriations authorized, the act granted to the President the following powers, in comiection with the Govern- ment's shipbuilding program: (a) To place an order with any person For such ships or material .is the necessities of the Government, to he determined by the Presi- dent, may require during the period of the war and which are of the nature and quantity usually produced or capable of being produced by such a person. (b) To modify, suspend, cancel, or requisition any existing future contract for the building or purchase of ships or material. 16 FIRST SESSION OF THE WAE CONGRESS. (c) To require the owner or occupier of any plant in which ships or materials are built to place at the disposal of the United States the whole or any part of the output of his plant, and to make such deliveries as may be specified in the order. (s. New batteries for ships of the Navy, $22,333,000. Batteries for auxiliaries and merchantmen, $19,988,800. Reserve and miscellaneous ordnance supplies, $29,260,000. Pay of the Navy, $75,508,672.42. Provisions, Navy, $31,740,092.45. Fuel and transportation, Navy, $19,362,420. Construction and repair of vessels, $57,327,340. Quartermaster's Department, Marine Corps, $20,408,161. Public— No. 2i. Approved, June 15. Espionage act. Reported in the House. April 25. Passed in the House - -May 5: 259 yens, 107 nays. Reported in the Senate May 9. 1 Passed in the Senate May 14; 77 yeas, 6 nays. Conference report accepted June 12. The espionage act contained 13 titles, whose subject matter may be briefly summarized as follows: Title 1 repeals an act approved March 3, 1911, and defines new grades of espionage and penalties for offenses under each. ' Title II authorizes the Secretary of the Treasury, whenever the President by proclamation declares that a national emergency exists, to make regulations governing the anchorage and movement of any vessel in the territorial waters of the United States, and, if necessary in his opinion, to take full possession of the vessel and remove all persons not specially authorized by him to remain on board. Title 1 1 also makes it unlawful for any person willfully to cause or permit the destruction or injury of a vessel in American waters, or to permit the vessel to be used as a place of resort for any person conspiring to commit an offense against the United States, or to permit the vessels to be used in violation of the rights and obligations of the United States under the law of nations. Title III provides a line of not more than $10,000 or imprisonment for not more than 20 years, or both, for any attempt to endanger the safety of a vessel or her cargo or persons on board, whether the injury or danger is designed to take place within the jurisdiction of the tTnited States, or after the vessel has departed from that juris- diction. Title IV provides a fine of $10,000 or imprisonment for not more than 10 years, or both, for any attempt to destroy, by fire or ex- plosives, articles intended for exportation, or the places where they may be while in such foreign commerce. Title V provides regulations and penalties for the enforcement of neutrality when the United States is a neutral nation. Title VI deals with seizure of arms and other articles intended for export. i Although the espionage bill was not reported in the Senal e until after it had been passed by the House, a similar measure had been reported in the Senate on \pril 17 by its Judiciary committee, and had been debated for some days before the Souse s wsion was reeen ed> 14181°— 17 2 IS FIRST SESSION OF THE WAR CONGRESS. Title VII contains the embargo provisions. Whenever during the present war the President shall proclaim that the public safety so requires, it shall be unlawful to export from the United States to any country named in his proclamation any article mentioned therein, except at such times and under such regulations as the President shall prescribe, until otherwise ordered by the President or by Congress. Title VIII deals with the disturbance, within the jurisdiction of the United States, of foreign relations by false statements, misrepre- sentation, and conspiracy to injure or destroy specific property situated within a foreign country, or a political subdivision thereof, with which the United States is at peace. Title IX deals with applications for passports, and provides pen- alties for false statements, forgeries, and attempts to use a passport intended for another person. Title X provides penalties for attempts at forgery, multilation, or fraudulent use of the seal of any office of the United States, or of any naval, military, or official pass or permit issued under the authority of the Government. Title XI provides certain additional regulations for the issuance and use of search warrants. Title XII relates to use of the mails. It declares nonmailable every publication of any kind (including a letter) which violates any of the provisions of this act, and every publication of any kind containing any matter advocating or urging treason, insurrection, or forcible resistance to any law of the United States. Whoever attempts to use the mails of the United States for the transmission of any matter declared by this title to be nonmailable shall be fined not more than $5,000 or imprisoned not more than live years, or both. Title XIII contains certain general provisions relative to the juris- diction of courts and the prosecution of offenses committed prior to the taking effect of this act, under any law which it embraces, changes, or repeals. Such offenses may be prosecuted in the same manner and with the same effect as if this act had not been passed. Public Resolution — No. 6. Approved, June 15, Relating to the service of certain retired officers of the Army. Reported in the Senate May 29. Passed in the Senate May 29: viva voce vote. Reported in the House . June 6. Passed in the House June 7; viva voce vote. No conference. This act provided that when retired officers of the Army, any por- tion of whose active service was in the Corps of Engineers, are called back into active service they shall be. eligible to fill any position required by law to be filled by an officer of the Corps of Engineers, FIRST rfKShloX OF THK W vli CONURESS. 19 Public — No. 25. Approved, June 21. Amending the Federal reserve act. Reported in the House April 27. Passed in the House May 5 ; 70 yeas 8 nays. Reported in the Senate. .May 9. Passed in the Senate .'.. May 9; viva voce vote. Conference report accept ed June 18. This act provided amendments to the Federal reserve act hi the following sections: Section 3, relating to the establishment of branch ban] Section 4, in the paragraph relating to the appomtm 'hectors and prescribing their duti; Section 9, relating to the admission of banks as i» -s of the Federal r stem. •etion 13, in the first paragraph, dealing with receipts by a mem- ber bank of funds for deposit, exchange, and collection. 13, in the fifth paragraph, relating to the acceptance of drafts or bills of exchange by Federal reserve ban: Section. 16, in paragraphs 2j 3, 4, 5, 6, and 7, relating to the hold- ing ol e notes by member banks. etion 16, there are added new regulations concerning the deposit of gold coin or of gold certificates with the Secretary of the Treasury. Section 17, there are repealed certain provisions with respect to deposit of registered bonds with the Treasurer of the United States by national banking associations. Section 19, relating to reserve balances maintained by member banks. Section 22, providing that nothing in the Federal reserve act shall be eonstrued to prohibit a director, officer, employee, or attorney from receiving the same rate of interest paid to other depositors for similar deposits made with the member bank; and providing that evidences of debt executed or indorsed by directors or attorneys of a member bank may be discounted with the member bank on the same terms and conditions as other evidences of debt upon the affirmative vote or written assent of at least a majority of the mem- bers of the board of directors of the bank. Public Resolution — No. 7. Approved, June 21. Correcting an error in the sundry civil appropriations act for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1918. Reported in the House June 18. Passed in the House June 19; viva voce vote. Reported in the Senate June 19. Passed in the Senate June 19: viva voce vore No conference. This act corrected a typographical error in the sundry civil appro- priations act, which had fixed the salary of the governor of th uia Canal Zone at $100,000 instead of $10,000. 20 FIRST SKSS10N OF THE WAR CONGRESS. Public Resolution — No. 8. Approved, June 30. Extending the time for water-power permits on the Niagara River. Reported in the Senate April 1 8. Passed in the Senate April 18; viva voce vote. Reported in the House June 29. Passed in the House June 29; viva voce vote. Conference report accepted June 30. This act extended until July 1, 1918, the power of the Secretary of War to issue temporary permits for additional diversions of water from the Niagara River. It also appropriated $25,000 for an inves- tigation of the subject of water diversion on the river, including navigation, sanitary and power purposes, and the preservation of scenic beauty at the. Falls. Public— No. 26. Approved, July 2. Authorizing condemnation proceedings of lands for military purposes. Reported in the Senate June 15. Passed in the Senate. June 15; viva voce vote. Reported in the House June 20. Passed in the House June 23; viva voce vote. No conference. This act authorized the Secretary of War to institute proceedings in the name of the United States for the acquirement by condemna- tion of any land needed for fortifications, coast defenses, and mili- tary training camps. It provided, how r ever, that when the owner of the desired land fixed a price which w r as reasonable, in the opinion of the Secretary of War, the Secretary might purchase or enter into a contract for the use of the land at this price without further delay. Public— No. 27. Approved, July 9. Modifying the design of the current quarter dollar. Reported in the House June 13. Passed in the House June 25; viva voce vote. Reported in the Senate June 29. Passed in the Senate June 29; viva voce vote. No conference. Upon complaint of the Treasury Department that the current quarter dollars w T ould not "stack," this act was passed approving a change in the position of the eagle, the rearrangement of the stars and lettering, and a slight concavity to the surface. Public Resolution — No. 9. Approved, July 9. Fixing the status and rights of officers of the Public Health Service when serving with the Coast Guards, the Army, or the Navy. Reported in the Senate June 18. Passed in the Senate. .Juno 18; viva voce vote. Reported in the House June 28. Passed in the House - June 28; viva voce vote. No conference. This act provided that when officers of the Public Health Service are serving on Coast Guard vessels in time of war or are detailed in FIRST SESSION OF THE WAR CONGRESS. 21 time of war for duty with the Army or Navy, they shall be entitled to such pensions as are now provided for officers of corresponding grade and length of service of the Coast Guard, Army, or Navy and shall be subject to the laws prescribed for the government of the service to which they arc respectively detailed. Public— No. 28. Approved, July 17. Making appropriations for certain session employees of the Senate and House of Representatives. Reported in the House July 13. Passed in the House July 13; viva voce. vote. Reported in the Senate July 13. Passed in the Senate July 13; viva voce vote. No conference. Public Resolution— No. 10. Approved, July 17. Relieving owners of mining claims who have been mustered into mili- tary or naval service from performing assessment work during their term of service. Reported in the Senate May 11. Passed in the Senate : -- . -May 11 ; viva voce vote. Reported in the House June 28. Passed in the House June 28; viva voce vote. No conference. This act relieved owners of mining claims mustered into military or naval service from the provisions of the Revised Statutes which require that on each mining claim not less than $100 worth of labor shall be performed or improvements made during each year. In order to obtain the benefits of this resolution, the claimant of any mining location must file notice of his muster into the service of the United States and of his desire to hold his mining claim under the resolution. Public— No. 29. Approved, July 24. Aviation act. Reported in the House July 13. Passed in the House July 14; viva voce vote. Reported in the Senate July 17. Passed in the Senate July 21; viva voce vote. No conference. "Here is an unknown quantity — the use of flying machines. No one knows what ran be accomplished bv it. No one knows its limitations. No one knows its possi- bilities. And 1 believe that the time has arrived with our country when we can .Milord to spend an immense sum of money in trying out the control of the air, and se ; e, first, whether that will give us control of the battle front; second, whether it will strike demoralization and produce revolution in Germany itself. If I had my way about it, I would pass this bill without saying a word."— Representative James R. Mann, Republican floor leader in the House. The aviation act provided for additional officers and enlisted men, in such numbers as the President might deem necessary, and 22 FIEST SESSION OF THE WAK CONGRESS. set aside $6 40,000,000 in a lump sum for their pay and equipment, and for the purchase and production of all types of aircraft, guns, armament, aviation fields, barracks, etc. Public— No. 30. ' Approved, July 27. Authorizing the Sebastian Bridge District to construct a bridge across the Arkansas River at Fort Smith, Ark. Reported in the Senate July 24 . Passed in the Senate -July 24, viva voce vote. Reported in the House July 25. Passed in the House July 25; viva *oee vote. No conference. Public— No. ft. Approved, July 27. Establishing North Island in the harbor of San Diego, Cal., as a site for permanent aviation stations for the Army and Navy. Reported in the House June 26. Passed in the House June 28; viva voce vote. Reported in the Senate July 14. Passed in the Senate July 24; viva voce vote. No conference. This act authorized the President to take possession, on behalf of the United States, of the whole of North Island. The Attorney General or the claimants are authorized to make application to the District Court of Southern California for the deterniination and ap- praisement of any rights private parties may have in the island. Private— No. 2. Approved, July 27.. Private relief act. Reported in the House July 9. Passed in the House -July 9; viva voce vote. Reported in the Senate July 16. Passed in the Senate. -July 17; viva voce vote. No conference. This act established Mrs. Nancy E. Mullins as the duly designated beneficiary of the late Capt. W. S. Mullins, Company I, First Regiment Mississippi National Guard. Public— No. 32. Approved, July 28. Providing relief for homestead entrymen or settlers who enter the military or naval service of the United States in time of war. Reported in the Senate - .April 30. Passed in the Senate. May 15; viva voce vote. Reported in the House May 26. Passed in the House June 27; viva voce vote. Conference report accepted July 24. Any settler upon public lands, or any entryman, or any person who has made application for public lands which afterwards may be allowed, who is engaged in the military or naval service of the United FIRST SESSION OF CECE WAB ONtiKESS. 23 States during a time of war shall, by the provisions of this act, have his services counted as equivalent to residence and cultivation for the same Length of time upon the fcr ed or settled up The death of such a soldier while e I in the service of the United States shall be counted as equivalenl to a performance of all requi merits as to residence and cultivation upon his homestead. Public— No. 33. Approved, July 28, Authorizing the county of Cass, in the State of Indiana, to construct a bridge across the Wabash River east of the city of Logansport Reported in tho Sonato May 1 0. Passed in the Senate May 10; viva voce vote. Reported in the House July 14. Passed in the House . „ July 25; viva voce vote. No conference. Public — No. 34. * Approved, July Authorizing the Pritchard -Wheeler Lumber Co. to construct a bridge across the Bayou Macon, in Louisiana, at a point east of the town of Wisner, La. Reported in the Senate July 24. Passed in the Senate July 24 ; viva v< >ce Reported in the House July 25. Passed in the House July 25 ; viva voce vote. No conference. Public — No. 35. Approved, August 3. Authorizing the construction, maintenance, and operation of a bridge across the Little River, south of the Jonesboro, Lake City & Eastern Railway bridge, in Arkansas, Reported in the Senate July 30. Passed in the Senate July 80; viva voce vote. Reported in the House July 3 1 . Passed in the House July 31 ; viva voce vote. No conference. Public — No. 36. Approved, August 7, For the protection of desert-iand entrymen who enter the military op nava! service of the United States in time of war. Reported in the House June 13 . Passed in the House June 29; viva \ »te. Reported in the Senate July 23 . Passed in the Senate , July 23: viva voce vote. No conference. This act provided that no desert-land entry made or held by an officer or enlisted man in the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, or Organ- ized Militia shall be subject to contest or cancellation for failure to make improvements upon the claim, during the period in which the entryman or his successor hi interest is engaged in the military serv- ice of the United States during the present war with Germany and until six months after its close. To enjoy the benefits of this act 24 FIRST SESSION OF THE WAR CONGRESS. the entryman or claimant must, within six months after the passage of this act, or within six months after he is mustered into the service, file in the local land office a notice of his muster into the service of the United States and of his desire to hold his desert claim under these provisions. Public — No. 37. Approved, August 8. Rivers and harbors appropriations act. Reported in the House May 9. Passed in the House June 27; 204 yeas, 132 nays. Reported in the Senate July 10. Passed in the Senate July 26; 50 yeas. 11 nays. Conference report accepted August 3. This act carried the regular annual river and harbor appropriations for which the last session of the previous Congress had made no pro- vision. The total amount of the act was .$27,826,150, as compared with $42,080,935 and $33,982,000 in the two previous years, re- spectively. Public— No. 38. Approved, August 9. Relating to the Interstate Commerce Commission. Reported in the Senate April 1 7. Passed in the Senate May 22; viva voce vote. Reported in the House May 26. Passed in the House : June 27; 229 yeas, 12 nays. Conference report accepted August 6. This act increased the Interstate Commerce Commission from seven members to nine, and authorized divisions of the commission to act with full jurisdiction and powers, so as to attain a greater dispatch in the handling of pending business. The act also pro- vided that until January 1, 1920, no increased rate or classification shall be filed except after approval has been secured from the com- mission. Public — No. 39. Approved, August 10. Providing priority in shipments. Reported in the Senate May 25. Passed in the Senate June 16; viva voce vote. Reported in the House June 26. Passed in the House June 29 ; viva voce vol e. Conference report accepted August 6. "It is well known that the transportation facilities of this country are not adequate to do the business that the country is trying to do at this time. We have not cara enough; we have not loconiotives enough; we have not tracks enough. Some one has got to be given the authority to discriminate because all can not be treated alike. There will be certain industries, no matter what is done, that will think they have not been fairly treated. But I realize that the people must be fed, they must be clothed, they must be warmed, we must feed our allies, Ave must furnish transportation to our troops, we must build ships, we must get in munitions of war; and we have got to subordinate private comfort and luxury and convenience and even profits to winning the war.'' — Senator Henry F. Mollis. This act provided that any person who willfully assisted in obstructing the orderly movement in the United States of interstate or foreign commerce shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and FIRST SESSION OF THE WAR CONGRESS. 25 for every offense shall be punishable by a fine of not exceeding $100 or by imprisonment for not exceeding six months, or by both, fine and imprisonment. The President is authorized, whenever in his judgment the public interest requires, to employ the armed forces of the United States to prevent any such obstruction — though it is provided that nothing in this act shall be construed as modifying either section 6 or section 20 of the Clayton Act. During the war the President is authorized, if he finds it necessary for the national defense and security, to direct that such traffic as in his judgment may be essential shall have preference in transporta- tion. It shall be the duty of the officers and employees of all carriers to obey promptly the President's orders, and failure to do so is punishable by a fine of not more than $5,000, or imprisonment of not more than one year, or both. Public— No. 40. Approved, August 10. Food-survey act. Reported in the House May 7. Passed in the House May 28; viva voce vote. Reported in the Senate .May 29. Passed in the Senate June 2 ; viva voce vote. Conference report accepted August 8. This act provided the Secretary of Agriculture with authority which is to cease not later than the beginning of the next fiscal \ car after the termination of the war with Germany. The Secretary is authorized to investigate the basic facts relating to the production and distribution of foodstuffs and to any articles required for this production and distribution. It is made the duty of any person to answer correctly any questions upon these subjects asked of him by an agent of the Secretary, and to produce all books and docu- ments under his control that bear upon the topic. Failure to com- ply in this respect is made punishable by a fine of not exceeding $1,000, or imprisonment not exceeding one year, or both. Whenever the Secretary finds that there is or may be a special need in any restricted area for seeds, he is authorized to purchase, or contract with persons to grow such seeds, to store them, and to furnish them to farmers for cash, at cost, including the expense of packing and transportation. - The Secretary is authorized to cooperate with State and local offi- cials, and public and private agencies, to make such regulations as are necessary to carry out these provisions effectively. And the President is authorized to direct any agency of the Government to cooperate with the Secretary in carrying out the purposes of the act and to coordinate their activities so as to avoid any preventable loss or duplication of work. To carry out the provision of this act the following sums are appro- priated: For the prevention, control, and eradication of the diseases and nests of live stock; the enlargement of live-stock production; and the conservation and utilization of meat, poultry, dairy, and other animal products, $885,000. 2(3 J'IKST SESSION OF THE WAit CONGRESS. For procuring, storing., and ftirnishing seeds, *2,. 300, 000 ; and this fund may be used us a revolving fund until June 30, 1018. For the prevention, control, and eradication of insects and plant diseases injurious to agriculture, and the conservation and utilization of plant products, $441,000. For increasing food production and eliminating waste and pro- moting conservation of food by educational and demonstrational methods, through county, district, and urban agents and others, $4,348,400. For gathering authoritative information in connection with the production, distribution, and utilization of food, $2,522,000. For miscellaneous items, $650,000. Public— No. 41. Approved, August 10. Food -control act. Reported in the House. June 15. Passed in the House June 23 ; 365 yeas, 5 nays. Reported in the Senate June 27. Passed in the Senate July 21 ; 81 yeas, 6 nays. Conference report accepted August 8. "The transfer of millions of men to the battle front from the farms in the European countries with which we are allied increases the drain on our food resources as well as theirs, and the approach of a similar condition here will undoubtedly disorganize the usual processes of food productions, imperil the usual food supplies, and create a situation of extraordinary danger— a situation requiring extraordinary, prompt, and vigorous treatment. The strain upon our food supply has only begun. The enormous demand already in existence creates opportunities and temptations for speculators which many sail sageriy embrace. The assurance of an adequate food supply for the people at home and the soldiers at the front, the repression of infamous men who would coin the people's needs into personal gain, are as vital a war operation as the assembling of artillery . 1 1 . e construction oi a trench . or the charge on the battle- field." — Senator Morris Sheppard. Summarized by sections, the food-control act contains the follow- ing provisions: Section 1 states the purposes of the act and authorizes the Presi- dent to make such regulations and issue such orders as are essential for their accomplishment. Section 2 authorizes the President to enter into any voluntary arrangements, to create and use any agencies, to accept the service of any person without compensation, to utilize any department or agency of the Government, and to coordinate their activities so as to avoid any preventable loss or duplication of effort or funds. Section 3 provides that no person acting either as a voluntary or paid agent of the United States in any capacity shall attempt to influence the awarding of a contract in the profits of which he is directly or indirectly interested. Section 4 makes it unlawful for any person to attempt to enhance prices by destruction of supplies, hoarding, monopolization, or dis- criminatory practices. Section 5 authorizes the President to prescribe regulations for the issuance of licenses, and requirements for systems of accounts and auditing of accounts to be kept by licensees. If the President finds that any practice of the licensee is unjust, discriminatory, or waste- ful, he may order such a practice discontinued. FIRST SES6IQM OF THE WAfi CONt.iKh- 27 Section 6 provides th v person who wilfully hoards any nee sari' defined in the act] shall, upon conviction, be fined not ex- yOOO or l)e imprisoned for not more than two years, or both. No accumulating by a iaraw r or coopera I iation of fan products of any farm is deemed to be hoarding within the moan- ing of this act. Section 7 provides that if any necessaries i d by a court to be hoarded they shall be disposed of by sale in such m r as the court may direct, to provide the most equitable distribution. Section 8 provides that any person who wilfully destroys any nec- essaries for the purpose of enhancing the price shall, upon conviction, be fined not exceeding $5,000 or imprisoned for not more than two years, or both. Section 9 provides that any person who conspires to restrict the supply or distribution of an] necessaries shall, upon conviction, be lined not exceeding $10,000 or be imprisoned for not more than two years, or both. Section 10 authorizes the President to requisition foods, fuels, and other supplies n y for the support of the Army or the Navy or any other public use connected with the common d \ and to pay a just compensation therefor. Section 11 authorizes the President to purchase, store, and to sell for cash at reasonable prices, wheat, flour, meal, beans, and potatoes. Any moneys received by the United States from the disposal of neces- saries under this section may, in the discretion of the President, be used as a revolving fund. Section 12 authorizes the President, if he finds it necessary for the common defense, to requisition and operate any factory, packing house, oil pipe line, mine, or other plant, in or through which any necessaries [as defined in the actl are or may be produced, prepared, or mined Section 13 authorizes the President, if he finds it essential to pre- vent undue fluctuation of prices, to prescribe regulations, or prohibit operations, of any exchange or similar institution. Section 14 authorizes the President to fix a reasonable guaranteed price for wheat. Section 15 provides that after September 9, 1917, no foods, fruits, food materials, or feeds shall be used in the production of distilled spirits for beverage purposes. Nor shall there be imported into the United States any distilled liquors. Section 16 authorizes and directs the President to commandeer, for a just compensation, any or all distilled spirits in bond or in stock at the date of the approval of this act. Section 17 provides that any person who willfully interferes with an agent of the United States in the execution of this act shall, upon conviction, be fined not exceeding $1,000, or be imprisoned for not more that one year, or both. Section 18 appropriates $2,500,000 for the employment of such persons and the payment of such rent, etc., as the President may an advisable for the administration of this ■-■ Section 19 appropriates 8150,000,000 for the purposes of the act. Section 20 provides that the employment of any person under the provisions of this act shall not exempt any such person from military service under the selective draft law. ^g FIRST SESSION Of THE WAR 'CONGRESS. Section 21 provides thai the President shall cause a detailed report to be made to the Congress on the 1st day of January each year of all proceedings had under this act during the year preceding. Sections 22 and 23 relate to the construction of the act by the courts. Section 24 limits the provisions of this act to the existing state of war between the United States and Germany. Section 25 authorizes the President, if in his discretion it is neces- sary for an efficient prosecution of the war, to fix the price of coal and coke, and to establish rules for the regulation of their produc- tion, distribution, and storage. If, in the opinion of the President, any producer or dealer fails to conform to such prices or regulations, he is authorized to requisition the plant, business, and appurtenances of the producer or dealer, and to operate them during the period of the war. Section 26 provides that any person carrying on interstate or for- i commerce in any article suitable for human food, fuel, or other necessaries of life, who stores, or destroys any such article for the purpose of affecting its market price, shall be deemed guilty of a felony and, upon conviction, shall be punished by a fine of not more than $5,000 or by imprisonment for not more than two years, or both. Section 27 appropriates $10,000,000 with which the President is authorized to procure such stocks of nitrate of soda as he may deem necessary and find available, for increasing agricultural production (hiring the years 1017 and 1918, and to dispose of this nitrate for cash at cost, including all expenses connected therewith. Public n 0# 42. Approved, September 19. Authorizing the Southwest Louisiana Waterways Association to con- struct a lock and dam in Mermentau River, in the State of Louisiana. Reported in the Senate August 23. Passed in the Senate August 23; viva voce vote. Reported in the House September 6. Passed in the House September 7; viva voce vote. No conference. Public Resolution— No. II. Approved, September 19. Improving Wiliapa Harbor and River, Wash. Reported in the Senate r September 11. Passed in the Senate September 1 1 ; viva voce vote. Reported in the House September 14. Passed in the House September 14 ; viva voce vote. No conference. This resolution authorized the Secretary of War to proceed with the work of improving Wiliapa Harbor and River, Wash., in accord- ance with the authorization in the rivers and harbors act of July 27. 1916, provided he is assured that the city of Raymond and other local interests will contribute the sum of $71,775. one-half of the actual estimated cost of dredging in the north and south forks of the Wiliapa River above their junction, and comply with the other con- ditions of cooperation imposed by the act. FIB&I SESSION OF T1JK WAR CONGRESS. 29 Public — No. 43. Approved , September 24. Second bond issue act. Reported in the House September 1. Passed in the House September 6; viva voce a ote. Reported in tho Senate. September 13. Passed in the Senate September 15; viva voce vote. Conference report accepted September 21. The second great bond issue act authorized the Secretary of the Treasury, with the approval of the President, to borrow on the credit of the United States $7,538,945,640, and to issue therefor bonds in addition to the $2,000,000,000 bonds already issued or offered for subscription under authority of the act approved April 24, 1917. (See Public — No. 3, above.) This sum was divided as follows: For establishing credits with allied Governments Si. 000,000,000 Bonds authorized by act of A\n-. 24. 1917 3, 063, 945, G40 Bonds authorized by act of Aug. 5, 1909 (Panama Canal bonds) 225,000,000 Bonds authorized by joint resolution, Mar. 4, L917 (for naval pur- pi >ses) _. 150, 000, 000 Bonds authorized by act of Mar. 3, L917 (miscellaneous) 100,000,000 Total 7, 538, 945, 640 In addition to these bonds, the act authorized the Secretary of the Treasury to borrow from time to time, for the purposes of the act, and to meet public expenditures authorized by law, such sums as in his judgment might be necessary, and to issue, certificates of in- debtedness at not less than par, subject to such terms and rates of interest as he might prescribe. The first bond issue act had also authorized the issuance of certificates of indebtedness, and it was here provided that the sum of such certificates authorized under both acts should at no time exceed $4,000,000,000 % Furthermore, in addition to these bonds and certificates of indebt- ed ness the act authorized the Secretary of the Treasury to borrow from time to time such sums as in his judgment might be necessary to meet authorized public expenditures, and to issue therefor war- savings certificates subject to such terms and conditions as he might prescribe. No person might purchase more than $100 worth of such certificates at any one time, or hold an aggregate amount exceeding •SI .000. The entire sum of war-savings certificates outstanding must at uo time exceed $2,000,000,000. Finally, it was provided that all bonds and certificates authorized by the act should be exempt, both as to principal and interest, from all taxation now or later on imposed by the United States, any State, or any local taxing authority, except (a) estate or inheritance taxes, and (b) graduated additional income taxes, commonly known as surtaxes, and excess profits and war profits taxes. Where the prin- cipal does not exceed $5,000 the interest on the bonds and certificates is made except from the taxes provided for in subdivision (b). 30 FIRST SESSION OF THE WAR G0MGRESS. Public — No, 44. Approved, September 25. Extending the time for the construction of a bridge across the Arkansas River, at Little Rock, Ark. Reported in the Senate - September 1 1 . Passed in the Senate September 1 1 ; viva voce vote. Reported in the House September 1 5 . Passed in the House - Sep tember 1 5 ; viva voce vote. No conference. Public — No. 45. Approved, September 27. Authorizing the construction of a building for the use of the Treasury Department. Reported in the Senate July 9. Passed in the Senate August 1 5 ; 45 yeas, 1 6 nays. Reported in the House September 7. Passed in the House September 2 1 ; viva voce vote. No conference. This act appropriated $1,250,000 for the erection of a new building on the northeast corner of Pennsylvania Avenue and Madison Place, and its connection by tunnel with the present Treasury quarters, diagonally opposite. Public — No. 46. Approved, September 28. Extending the time for constructing a bridge across the Big Sandy River near Warfield, Ky., and Kermit, W. Va. Reported in the House July 30. Passed in the House September 2 1 ; viva voce vote. Reported in the Senate September 24. Passed in the Senate September 24 ; viva voce vote. No conference. Public — No. 47. Approved, October 1. ' Authorizing the construction of a bridge across the Saline River, at or near Suttons Ferry, Ark. Reported in the House July 26. Passed in the House September 25 ; viva voce vote. Reported in the Senate - September 27. Passed in the Senate September 27 ; viva voce vote. No conference. Public — No. 48. Approved, October 1. Creating an Aircraft Board and providing for its maintenance. Reported in the Senate August 1 1 . Passed in the Senate September 12 ; viva voce vote. Reported in the House September 24. Passed in the House September 25 ; viva voce vote. No conference. FIRST SESSION OF THE WAB CONGRESS. 31 This act created an Aircraft Board of nine members for the purpose of expanding and coordinating the industrial activities relating to aircraft and to facilitate generally the development of air sen Under the direction of the of War and the Sec-rotary of the Navy the board is authorized to supervise and direct tlio pro- duction of aircraft and aircraft accessories, including the purch lease or construction of plants. r : b the board may mi recommendations, the actual contracting must be done by authorities of the respective departments. The sum of $100. was appropriated for office equipment, clerks and other employ* etc. Public — No. 49. Approved, October 2. Authorizing exploration for and disposition of potassium. Reported in the Senate August 2. Passed in the Senate August 10 ; viva voce vote. Reported in the House September 15. Passed in the House . . September 2 1 ; viva voce vote. No conference. This act provided regulations under which the Secretary of the Interior was authorized and directed to issue permits to prospect for potassium on public lands of the United States (except in arid adjacent to Searles Lake, Gal.). Public — No. 50. Approved, October 3, Revenue act. Reported in the House May 9. Passed in the House :_ ..May 23; 329 yeas; 70 nays. Reported in the Senate August 6. Passed in the Senate. September 10; 64 yeas; 4 nays. Conference report accepted . October 2. The revenue act contains 13 titles, whose subject matter may be summarized as follows : Title I. War-income tax. — This title adds 2 per cent to the existing "normal" tax, and to the existing ''additional" tax it adds from 1 per cent on the amount by which the total net income exceeds $5,000 and does not exceed $7,5*00, to 50 per cent on the amount by which the income exceeds 81,000,000. The title then fixes new provisions for exemptions and for an additional 4 per cent tax upon the income of corporations and insurance companies. Title II. War-excess-prqfcts tax. — This title levies a tax on excess profits (over the "prewar period," 1911, 1912, and 1913) varying from 20 per cent to 60 per cent with the size of the excess profits. Several sections are devoted to a detailed definition of what consti- tutes 'excess profits" for various types and conditions of business. Title HI places an additional tax on distilled spirits, imported perfumes that contain distilled spirits, beer and other fermented liquors, wines, sirups, soft drinks, and mineral or table waters. Title IV levies an increased tax upon cigars, tobacco, and manufac- tures of tobacco. 32 FIRST SESSION OF THE WAR CONGRESS. Title V contains six sections. The first four provide rates and regu- lations for a tax upon transportation (a) of property by freight; (h) of shipments by express; (c) of persons (where the fare exceeds 35 cents), (d) of oil by pipe line; (e) of messages by telegraph or tele- phone (where the charge is 15 cents or more). The last two sections of the title levy, within restrictions, a tax upon (a) life insurance; (&) marine, inland, and fire insurance; (c) casualty insurance. Title VI. War-excise taxes. — By this title a tax is levied upon (a) automobiles and motor trucks, 3 per cent of the price for which sold; (b) piano players, talking machines, and records, 3 per cent; (c) moving picture films (which have nob been exposed), 1 cent per linear foot; (d) moving picture films (ready for projection), one-half cent per linear foot; (e) jewelry, 3 per cent; (/) sporting goods and games (except playing cards and children's" games), 3 per cent; (g) perfumes, powders, etc., 2 per cent; (h) certain medicinal preparations or articles, 2 per cent; (i) chewing gum, 2 per cent; (/) cameras, 3 per cent; (k) pleasure boats, motor boats with fixed engines, and sailing boats, a rate varying with the over-all length. Title VII. War tax on admissions and dues. — This title levies a tax of 1 cent for each 10 cents (or fraction of that sum) of the amount paid in any admission charges, except where the maximum charge is 5 cents; also in the case of shows, rides, etc. (where the maximum charge for admission is 10 cents) within outdoor amusement parks, and in the case of the parks themselves. A tax of 10 per cent is levied on dues to any organization where the amount exceeds $12 a year, except in the cases of beneficiary associations operating under the lodge system. Title VIII. War-stamp taxes. — This title levies stamp taxes upon bonds of indebtedness, deeds of conveyance, parcel-post packages on which the postage amounts to 25 cents or more, playing cards, custom-house entries, etc. Title IX. War-estate tax. — In addition to the existing estate taxes, this title imposes new rates upon the transfer of the net estate of every decedent, varying from 1| per cent of the amount of an estate not in excess of $50,000, to 10 per cent of the amount by which an estate exceeds $10,000,000. This tax does not apply to estates of decedents dying in military or naval service during the present war, or if death results within a year after the end of the war from injuries or diseases contracted in service. Title X contains the administrative provisions of the act. Title XI provides that the postage rate on all first class mail matter except postal cards shall, in addition to the existing rate, be 1 cent for each ounce; the rate of postage on drop letters of the first class, however, is fixed at 2 cents an ounce. The title also provides that postal cards shall be carried at 1 cent each in addition to the existing rate, and fixes new zone rates for second-class matter, with a dis- crimination between advertisements and reading matter. Title XII provides amendments to the existing income tax pro- visions, in the way of defining exemptions, gains, profits, etc. Title XIII contains general provisions in respect to the enforce- ment of the act. FIRST SESSION OF THE WAR CONGRESS. 33 Public — No. 51. Approved, October 5. Authorizing the construction of a bridge across the headwaters of Mobile Bay, Ala. Reported in the Senate September 1 2. Passed in the Senate September 12; viva voce vote. Reported in the House September 23. Passed in the House September 29; viva voce vote. No conference. Public — No. 52. Approved, October 5. Authorizing the construction of a bridge across the Red River at Sacras Ferry, Tex. Reported in the Senate September 12. Passed in the Senate September 1 2 ; viva voce vote. Reported in the House September 2 1 . Passed in the House September 2S ; viva voce vote. No conference. Public — No. 53. Approved, October 5. Authorizing the construction of a bridge across the Fox River at Elgin, III. Reported in the Senate September 1 1 . Passed in the Senate September 1 1 ; viva voce vote. Reported in the House September 28. Passed in the House September 28 ; viva voce vote. No conference. Public — No. 54. Approved, October 5. Authorizing the construction of a bridge across the Mississippi River, in Aitkin County, Minn. Reported in the House September 21. Passed in the House September 2S; viva voce vote. Reported in the Senate October 2. Passed in the Senate October 2 ; viva voce vote. No conference. Public— No. 55. Approved, October 5. Relating to citizenship of Americans serving in allied armies or navies. Reported in the Senate September 1 1 . Passed in the Senate September 1 1 ; viva voce vote. Reported in the House September 25. Passed in the House October 2 ; 232 yeas, 4 nays. No conference. This act provided that no citizen of the United States serving in an allied army or navy shall be deemed to have lost his citizenship by reason of any oath or obligation taken by him for the purposo of entering such service. 14181°— 17 3 34 FIRST SESSION OF THE WAR. CONGRESS. Public — No. 56. Approved, October 5. Authorizing the county of Clallam, Wash., to convey certain lands to the city of Port Angeles. Reported in the Senate Jury 9. Passed in the Senate July 9 ; viva voce vote. Reported in the House October 2. Paosed in the House October 2 ; viva voce vote. No conference. Public — No. 57. Approved, October 5. Authorizing the counties of Cass and Itasca, Minn., to construct a bridge across the Mississippi River. Reported in the Senate June 28. Passed in the Senate June 28; viva voce vote. Reported in the House . - July 14. Passed in the House October 2 ; viva voce vote. No conference. Public — No. 58. Approved, October 5. Authorizing the counties of Cass and Itasca, Minn., to construct a bridge across the Mississippi River. Reported in the Senate September 11. Passed in the Senate September 11 ; viva voce vote. Reported in the House September 21. Passed in the House October 2; viva voce vote. No conference. (Though carrying similar titles, this act and the one preceding it made authorization for different bridges.) Public — No. 59. Approved, October 5. Authorizing the construction of a bridge across the Mississippi River, between Webber Falls and Gore, Okla. Reported in the Senate August 13. Passed in the Senate August 13 ; viva voce vote. Reported in the House September 21. Passed in the House October 2; viva voce vote. No conference. Public — No. 60. Approved, October 5. Authorizing the construction of a bridge across the Waccamaw River, at or near Pireway Ferry, Ark. Reported in the Senate September 20. Passed in the Senate September 20 ; viva voce vote. Reported in the House .September 27. Passed in the House October 2; viva voce vote. No conference. FIRST SESSION OF TUK WAR CONGKES& 35 Public — No. 61. Approved, October 5. Providing for a larger circulation of notes of small denomination. Reported in the Senate September 29. Passed in the Senate September 29 ; viva voce vote. Reported in the House October 2. Passed in the House October 2; viva voce vote. No eo nferem This act provided that any national banking a ion shall, upon compliance with the laws applicable thereto, l^ entitled to receive from the Comptroller of the Curr< acy, or to issue o sue, or place in circulation, notes in denominatio $50, and $100 in such proportions as the bank may elect, provided that no bank shall receive or have in circulation at any one time more than $25,000 in notes of the denominations of $1 and $ Public resolution — No. 12. Approved, October 5. Suf4pending labor requirements of owners of mining claims during the war. Reported in the Senate. ..June 30. Passed in the Senate , July 9; viva voce vote. Reported in the House ..August 7. Passed in the House September 2 1 ; viva voce vote. Conference report accepted October 1. This act suspended, during the war with Germany, the require- ment that each year not less than $100 worth of labor shall be per- formed or improvements made on mining claims, in the case of all owners who expend the sum of $100 in the raising or manufacture of products necessary for the maintenance of the Ann v. Kavy, or the people of the United States, or shall perform 25 days of labor in any beneficial occupation, or pay into the Treasury of the United States $100. Public resolution — No. 13. Approved, October 5. Advancing October salaries to Senate and House employees. Reported in the Senate.. October 3. Passed in the Senate October 3; viva voee vote. Reported in the House October 4. Passed in the House October 4 ; viva voce vote. No conference. Public — No. 62. Approved, October 6. Providing an air-station site for the Navy. Reported in the Senate August 2. Passed in the Senate August 2 1 ; viva voce vote. Reported in the House October 1 . Passed in the House. October 2 ; viva voce vote. No conference. This act carried an appropriation of $150,000 for an air-station site at Cape May, N. J. 36 FIRST SESSION OF THE WAR CONGRESS. Public — No. 63. Approved, October 6. Authorizing the construction of a bridge across the Little Kanawha River, in Gilmer County, W. Va, Reported in the Senate September 12. Passed in the Senate September 1 2 ; viva voce vote. Reported in the House September 21. Passed in the House October 4; viva voce vote. No conference. Public — No. 64. Approved, October 6. Second war appropriation act. Reported in the House September 6. Passed in the House September 1 8 ; viva voce vote. Reported in the Senate September 24. Passed in the Senate September 25 ; viva voce vote. Conference report accepted October 4. The second great war appropriations act carried $5,356,666,016.93. The act made further appropriations of $635,000,000 for the emer- gency shipping fund, and raised the limit of cost to cany out the purposes of the shipping act to $1,734,000,000. The other major appropriations made and authorized in the act were as follows: Subsistence of the Army, $250,000,000. Regular supplies, Quartermaster Corps, $125,000,000. Transportation of the Army and its supplies, $375,000,000. Clothing and camp and garrison equipage, $350,000,000. Medical and hospital department, $100,000,000. Engineer operations in the field, $186,000,000. Ordnance stores and supplies, $480,047,000. Mountain, field, and siege cannon, $695,100,000. Ammunition for mountain, field, and siege cannon, $1,440,182,750. Alteration and maintenance of mobile artillery, $158,334,000. Naval emergency fund, $100,000,000. Public — No. 65. Approved, October 6. Establishing a port of entry at Northgate, N. Dak. Reported in the Senate June 1 5. Passed in the Senate June 15; viva voce vote. Reported in the House October 3. Passed in the House October 4 ; viva voce vote. No conference. Public — No. 66. Approved, October 6. Making further provision for the allotment of pay of officers, enlisted men, and civilian employees of the Army. Reported in the Senate September 14. Passed in the Senate September 25 ; viva voce vote. Reported in the House October 1. Passed in the House October 4; viva voce vote. No conference. FIRST SESSION OF THE U Alt CONGEESS. 37 This act amended an act. of March 2, 1899, by permitting, under such regulations as the Secretary of War might prescribe, a soldier or civilian employee of the War Department on foreign duty to make allotments of his pay for the support of dependent relatives, or for such other purposes as the Secretary might deem proper. Public — No. 67. Approved, October 6. Authorizing the construction of a bridge across the Little River, in Poinsett County, Ark. Reported in the Senate October 3. Passed in $< mate October 3; viva voce vote. Reported in the House October 4. Passed in the House October 4; viva voce vote. No conference. Public — No. 68. Approved, October 6. Regulating the manufacture and use of explosives in time of war. Reported in the House May 1 . Passed in the House May 31 ; 116 yeas ; 63 nays. Reported in the Senate July 17. Passed in the Senate September 1 1 ; viva voce vote. Conference report accepted September 29. Public— No. 60. Approved, October 6. Extending he time for the construction of a bridge across Flint River, in the State of Georgia. Reported in the House July 14. Passed in the House October 2 ; viva voce vote. Reported in the Senate _ . October 5. Passed in the Senate October 5; viva voce vote. No conference. Public — No. 70. Approved. October 6. Providing for the reimbursement of seamen for property lost or de- stroyed in service. Reported in the House August 3. Passed in the House October 2 ; viva voce vote. Reported in the Senate October 5. Passed in the Senate October 5; viva voce vote. No conference. Public — No. 71. • Approved, October 6. Permitting public-land affidavits to be taken before military authori- ties. Reported in the House . _ - ..September 1 4. Passed in the House October 2 ; viva voce vote. Reported in the Senate October 4. Passed in the Senate October 4 ; viva voce vote. No conference. 38 FIRST SESSION" OF THE WAR CONGRESS. This act amended the Revised Statutes by permitting homestead and other public-land affidavits to be taken before the military com- mander of any person engaged in the military or naval service of the United States. Public— No. 72. Approved, October 6. Providing that the post office constructed at Diirant, Okla., shall also be used for other Government purposes. Reported in the House September 21. Passed in the House October 2 ; viva voce vote. Reported in the Senate October 4. Passed in the Senate October 4 ; viva voce vote. No conference. Public — No. 73. Approved, October 6. Permitting coastwise trade by foreign vessels. Reported in the House September 24. ised in the House September 28 ; viva voce vote. Reported in the Senate October 5. Passed in the Senate October 5; viva voce vote. No conference. This act gave the Shipping Board power to suspend existing pro- visions of law and permit vessels of foreign registry and foreign-built vessels admitted to American registry (under the act of Aug" 18, 1914) to engage in the coastwise trade of the United States, except in the < oastwise trade of Alaska. It was provided that in issuing permits the Shipping Board should give preference to vessels of foreign reg- istry owned, leased, or chartered by citizens or corporations of the United States. The powers granted in the act were limited to the present war and a period of 120 days thereafter. Public— No. 74. - Approved, October 6. Providing for the payment of six months' gratuity to dependents. Reported in the House October 1 . / Passed in the House October 2; viva voce vote. Reported in the Senate October 4. Passed in the Senate October 5; viva voce vote. No conference. This act amended existing law, which provided for the payment of six months' gratuity to the dependents of a deceased officer or en- listed man on the active list of the Navy and Marine Corps, by inserting after the words "on the active list of the Navy or Marine Corps" the words "or of any retired officer or enlisted man serving on active duty during the continuance of the present war." FIRST SESSION OF THK WAR OONGKE* 39 Public — No. 75. Approved, October 6. Authorizing the construction of a bridge across the Mahoning River, near Warren, Ohio. Reported in the House October 1 . Passed in the House October 2; viva voce vote. Reported in the Senate Octobei Passed in the Senate October 3; viva voce vote. No conference. Public — No. 76. Approved, October 6. Authorizing the issuance of Reserve Corps and National Army commis- sions in the lower grades of staff officers, and removing the fixed age limits for the discharge of Reserve Corps officers. Reported in the House October 1. Passed in the House October 2; viva voce vote. Reported in the Senate October 4. Passed in the Senate October 5; viva voce vote. No conference. Public — No. 77. Approved, October 6. Extending to the Navy the liquor and immorality sections of the Army draft law. Reported in the House October 1 . Passed in the House October "_': viva voce vote. Reported in the Senate October i. Passed in the Senate October 5; viva von- vote. No conference. Public — No. 78. Approved, October 6. Relating to court-martia! procedure in the Navy. Reported in the House October 1 . Passed in the House October 2 ; viva voce vote. Reported in the Senate October 4. Passed in the Senate October 5; viva voce vote No conference. This act provided that when actively serving- under the Navy De- partment in time of war or during an emergency, commissioned officers of the Naval Reserve Force, Marine Corps Reserve, National Naval Volunteers, etc.. should be empowered to serve on naval courts- martial and deck courts, under such regulations as the Secretary of the Navy might prescribe. Public — No. 79. Approved, October 6. Authorizing the appointment of chaplains at large in the Army. Reported in the Senate July 24. Passed in the Senate September 13; viva voce vote. Reported in the House September 28. Passed in the House October 4; viva voce vote. No conference. This act authorized the President to appoint for service during the present emergency not exceeding 20 chaplains at large, representing religious sects not recognized in existing law, in the apportionment of chaplains. 40 FIRST SESSION OF THE WAR CONGRESS. Public — No. SO. Approved, October 6. Preventing the publication of military inventions. Reported in the Senate September 1 1 . Passed in the Senate September 1 1 ; viva voce vote. Reported in the House October 5. Passed in the House October 5; viva voce vote. No conference. This act provides that whenever during a time when the United States is at war the publication of an invention by the granting of a patent might, in the opinion of the Commissioner of Patents, be detrimental to public safety or of assistance to the enemy, he may order that the invention be kept secret, and withhold the patent until the termination of the war. PubMc — No. 81. Approved, October 6. Authorizing the construction of a bridge across the Tug River, near Kermit, W. Va. Reported in the Senate September 1 1 . Passed in the Senate September 1 1 ; viva voce vote. Reported in the House September 15. Passed in the House September 15; viva voce vote. Conference report accepted October 5. Public — No. 82. Approved, October 6. Amendments relating to workmen's compensation laws. Reported in the Senate October 2. Passed in the Senate October 2 ; viva voce vote. Reported in the House October 5. Passed in the House October 5 ; viva voce vote. No conference. The act amended sections 24 and 256 of the Judicial Code, with the intent of protecting, under the workmen's compensation law of any State, workers in and about vessels at the docks. Public — No. 83. Approved, October 6. Authorizing the Secretary of War to donate two brass cannon for a soldiers' memorial at Carthage, N. C. Reported in the Senate September 26. Passed in the Senate September 26 ; viva voce vote Reported in the House October 5. Passed in the House October 5; viva voce vote. No conference. FIRST SESSION OF THE V.'AI! CONGRESS. 41 Public — No. 84. Approved, October 6. Authorizing the construction of a bridge across the Arkansas River be- tween Little Rock and Argenta, Ark. Reported in the Senate October -1. Passed in the Senate October 4; viva voce vote. Reported in the House. October 5. Passed in the House October5; viva voce vote. No conference. Public— No. 85. Approved, October 6. Authorizing the construction of a bridge across the Rio Grande River, within or near the city limits of El Paso, Tex. Reported in the Senate October 5. Passed in the Senate October 5; viva voce vote. Reported in the House October 5. Passed in the House. October 5; viva voce vote. No conference. Public— No. 86, Approved, October 6. Providing new regulations for commissions in the Medical and Denta! Corps. Reported in the House June 21. Passed in the House June 29 ; viva voce vote. Reported in the Senate September 18. Passed in the Senate October 5; viva voce vote. No conference. Public— No. 87. Approved, October 6. Fixing 40 cents as the commutation price of the Navy ration. Reported in the House August 3. Passed in the House September 25 ; viva voce vote. Reported in the Senate October 4. Passed in the Senate October 5; viva voce vote. No conference. Public— No. 88. Approved, October 6. Establishing new ratings for enginemen, blacksmiths, etc., in the Navy. Reported in the House August 3 . Passed in the House September 25 ; viva voce vote. Reported in the Senate . _ October 4. Passed in the Senate October 5; viva voce vote. No conference. 42 FIRST SESSION OF THE WAR CONGRESS. Public—No. 8®. Approved, October 6. Relating to the distribution of Cavalry units. Reported in the House September 6. Passed in the House September 14; viva voce vote. Reported in the Senate October 4. Passed in the Senate October 5; viva voce vote. No conference. This act authorized the President, during the existing emergency, to organize and use as Field Artillery or Infantry such regiments of the Cavalry as he might determine. Public — No. 90. Approved, October 6". Military and naval insurance act- Reported in the House .September 6, Passed in the House September 13 ; 319 yeas, nays. Reported in the Senate October 2. Passed in the Senate October 4 ; 71 yeas, nays. Conference report accepted- October 5. This act carried a total appropriation of $176,250,000. It estab- lished a Division of Military Insurance (in the War-Risk Insurance Bureau of the Treasury Department) to provide (a) governmental family allowances and compulsory allotment of pay for the support of dependents; (b) compensation for death, or disability due to injury or disease resulting from service; (c) ability to get additional insurance at low cost. Public — No. 01. Approved, October 6. " Trading with the enemy act. « Reported in the House June 21 . Passed in the House July 1 1 ; viva voce vote. Reported in the Senate August 31. Passed in the Senate September 12 ; viva voce vote. Conference report accepted September 25. This act makes it unlawful for any person in the United States, except with the license of the President, to have any form of business or commercial intercourse with an enemy or ally of any enemy. Whenever, during the present war, the President shall deem that the public safety so demands he may cause to be censored, under such regulations as he may establish, communications passing between the United States and any foreign country he may from time to time specify. He has also the power to place an embargo upon imports from any country he may specify. The act contains provisions for the creation of an ' ' alien property custodian" and for the administration of his duties. It also provides, in an amendment made to the act in conference, that it shall be unlawful "to transport, carry, or otherwise publish or distribute any matter which is made nonmailable" by the provisions of the espionage act. FIRST SESSION OF THE WAR CONGRESS. 43 Public resolution — No. 11. Approved, October 6. Authorizing the Secretary of the Interior to expend funds in New Mex- ico and Texas for immediate and necessary drainage purposes. Reported in the Senate September 2 L. Passed in the Senate September 25; >tc. Reported in the Bouse October Passed in the House... October 5; viva voce vote. No conferem Public resolution— No. 15. Approved, October 6. Export of distilled spirits. Reported in the Senate ..September 1 1 . Passed in the Senate .September I I ; viva voce vote. Reported in the House. October Passed in the House October 5; viva voce vote. No conference. This act authorized and directed the Secretary of t! sasury to permit the entry of distilled spirits into bonded warehou son- ditioned for export to some foreign country within three years from the date of entry into the United States. Public resolution— No. 16. Approved, October 6. Relating to land for the use of the Ordnance Department Reported in the House October 6. Pas i the House October 6; viva voce vote. Reported in the Senate October 6. Pa Senate October 6; viva voce vote. No conference. This act authorized the expenditure of money upon land purchased for the use of the Ordnance Department, without ; ion 355 of the Revised Statutes, which provided that before su< penditure is made the title of the land shall be certified by the Attorney Gen and the consent of the State to the acquisition shall have been given. SUMMARY OF APPROPRIATIONS AND CONTRACT AUTHOR- IZATIONS FOR THE FISCAL YEAR 1918. Statement showing by acts the appropriations for the flseal year 1918 made during the Sixty-fourth Con- gress, second session (including appropriations made by the Army, Military Academy, rivers and harbors, sundry civil, and general deficiency acts passed during the Sixty-fifth Congress, first ses- sion): Agriculture $25, 929, 113. 00 Army 273, 046, 322. 50 Diplomatic and Consular 5, 082, 746. 66 District of Columbia 14, 172, 997. 85 Fortification 51, 396, 593. 00 Indian 11, 589, 736. 67 Legislative, executive, and judi ial 39, 894, 592. 42 Military Academy 1, 344, 896. 18 Naval 517, 273, 802. 08 Pension 160, 060, ooo. 00 Post Office 331, 851. 170.00 River and harbor 27, 826. 150. 00 Sundry civil 147', 363, 928. 77 Total i ; 606, 832, 049. 13 General deficiency 163, 841 , 400. 52 Urgent deficiency 4, 578, 250. 00 W iscellaneous 1 41,093, 670. 08 Permanent annual and indefinite appropriations 145, 864, 830. 32 Total SI, 962, 210, 200. 05 Increased compensal ion of 5 and 10 per cent to cer- tain employees (estimated) 15. ooo, 000. 00 Total regular appropriations, Sixty-fourth Congress, second session 1, 977, 210, 200. 05 Appropriations for the fiscal year 1918, made during the Sixty-fifth Congress, first session (exclusive of Army, Military Academy, river and harbor, sun- dry civil, and general deficiency acts): Expenses incident to the Sixty-fifth Congress, first session $6S, 020. 00 Loans to the allies under act of Apr. 24, 1917... 2 3,000,000,000.00 Expenses of preparation and issue of bonds and certificates of indebtedness under act of Apr. 24, 1917 7, 063, 945. 46 Bureau of War-Rislc Insurance, cost of insuring vessels and their cargoes, etc 45, 150, 000. 00 Urgent deficiency act for the Military and Naval Establishments 3, 281, 094, 511. 60 Increase of Signal Corps of the Army, including purchase, operation, etc., of airships 640. 000. 000. 00 Expenses under act to encourage production, conserve the supply, and control distribution of food products and fuel 162, 500, 000. 00 Expenses under the act to stimulate agriculture and facilitate the distribution of agricultural products 11, 346, 100. 00 Additional loans to the allies under act of Sept. ^ 24, 1917 2 4 ; 000, 000, 000. 00 Expenses of preparation and issue of bonds, cer- tificates of indebtedness, and \var-sa\ ing cer- tificates 21, 377, 890. 92 Expenses under the act to define, regulate, and punish trading with the enemy 450, 000. 00 Expenses under the act, establishing a military and naval family allowance, compensation. and insurance fund for the benefit of soldie rs and sailors and their families 176, 250, 000. 00 Urgent deficiency act for the fiscal year 1918 and prior years on account of war expenses 5, 356, 666, 016. 93 Interest on bonds and certificates (estimated). 200,000,000.00 Total appropriations, Sixty-fifth Congress, first session 16, 901, 966, S14. 91 Total a ppropriations for the fiscal year 1918 18, 879, 1 77, 014. 96 • This sum includes an appropriation of $10,000,000 for the War-Risk Insurance Bureau, which has been repealed by subsequent legislation. 2 The $3,000,000,000 and $4,000,000,000, making in all $7,000,000,000, to meet loans to the allies, is reim- bursable by the foreign governments to whom the advances are made. 44 FIRST SESSION OF TIM; WAR CONGRESS. 45 Contract authorizal ions, Id n to ap propriations heretofore made, to be mat by.future appropriations by Congress, authorized during i be fiscal year 1918: J5,250,00l I i I 86,1 15,532 00 Sundry civil 900, 000.00 Qrgeni deficiency appropi iation a< I <>i -' t • r i • • 24, , '....'.. -0,000.00 ol ' >ct. — , , 2,401,458,393.50 thorize tb • of a buil for the use of the Treasury Departmenl 1,250,000.00 us $2,511, 553, 925. 50 Total appropriations and contract authorizations, fi 730,940.46 propriations, Sixty-fourth Congress, second session i ™'&« '„, , rv? Topri tions, Sixty-fifth Congi ion l6,90i,9bS,H4.wi calyearl918 j,aii,.»i,.i^.au Tol tion ud contract authorizations, fiscal year 1918 21,390,7:10,940.46 I appropriations, fiscal year 1918, exclusive of $7,000,000,000 for loans to the 11,879,177,014.90 ions' and contracrauthorizations,exclusive of 57,000,000,000 foi loans to the allies 14,390,730,940.46 AA 000 622 799 5 INDEX. [The numbers refer to pages.9 Admissions and dues, taxes levied upon, 32. Aircraft Board, creation of, 30. Appropriations, to cover current expenses of Congress, 6; deficiencies appropriations act, 6; bond issue acts, 6, 43; regular Army appropria- tions act, 9: regular Military Academy appropria- tions act, 13; sundry civil appropriations act, 15; first war appropriations act, 15; appropriations for session employees of Congress, 21: rivers and harbors appropriations act, 24; appropriations carried in the food-survey act, 26; appropriations carried in the food-control act, 26-27; October lies advanced to Senate and House em- ployees, :)•">; second war appropriations act, 36; statement of appropriations and contract author- izations for the fiscal year 1918, 44—15. Army, regular appropriations act for, 9; raised to maximum strength, 10; provisions for drafted army, 10-11; appropriations for, in first war ap- propriations act, 15-16; provisions relating to the service of certain retired officers, IS; aviation act, 21: aviation hoard created, 30; citizens serving in allied armies , 33 ; provision for allotment of p: appropriations for, in second war appropriations act, 36; Reserve Corps and National Army com- missions in the lower grades of staff officers, 39; I age limits for discharge of Reserve Corps officers removed, 39; appointment of chaplains, 39; commissions in Medical and Dental Corps, 41; regiments of Cavalrv to be used as Field Artillery or Infantry, 42; land for use of Ordnance Depart- ment, 43. See also Secretary of War. Automobiles and motor trucks, taxes levied upon, 32. Aviation act, 21. Banks, authorized to issue notes of small denomina- tion, 35. See also Federal reserve act. Bond issue acts, 6, 29. Bridge, in Morrison County, Minn., 11; at Bemidji, Yincennes/lnd., 12; at Fort Smith. Ark., 22; in Cass County, lnd., 23; across the e River, Ark., 23; near AVisner, La., 23; at Little Rock, Ark., 30: across the Big Sandy River, 30; at Sutton's Ferry, Ark., 30; across' Mobile Bay, Ala.. 33; at Sacras Ferry, Tex., 33; at Elgin, 111.', 33; in \hkin County, Minn., 33; in Cass and Itasca Counties, Minn., 34; between Webber Falls and Gore, Okla., 34; at Pirewav. Ark., 34; in Gilmer County, W. Va., 36; in Poinsett County, Ark., 37; across the Flint River. Ga., 37; near Warren, Ohio, 39: near Kermit, W. Va., 40; between Little Rock and Argenta, Ark., 41; at El Paso, Tex., 41. Carthage, N. C, soldier's memorial act, 40. Citizenship of Americans serving in allied armies or navies, 33. Clallam County, Wash., authorized to convey cer- tain lands to the city of Port Angeles, 34. Clayton Act, not to be construed as modified, 24-25. Coal, President authorized to fix price of, to estab- lish rules for production of, to requisition plants, business, and' appurtenances of producers of and dealers in, 28. Coke, President authorized to fix prices of, to estab- lish rules for production of, to requisition plants, business, and appurtenances of producers of and dealsrsin, 28. Conscription, regulations to govern, 10. Contracts, provisions relative to award of, 26. Declaration of war, 5. Deficiencies appropriations act, 6. Dependents, payment of six months' gratuity to, 38. See also Insurance. Durant, Okla., post office at, to be used for other Government purposes, 38. , Embargo, powers authorized to President, 18. Entrymen, act for the relief of homestead entry- men, 22; act for the relief of desert-land entry- men. 23: act for relief of owners of minim; claii 35. Espionage, act defining and punishina, 17-ls. Estate taxes, 42. Exchanges, President authorized to prescribe regu- lations for, or prohibit operations of, 26. Excise taxes, in revenue act. 32. Explosives, regulations for manufacture and use of, in time of war, 37. Federal reserve act, amendments to, 19. Fleet Naval Reserve, authorization for training on laud of, 7. Flood, Representative TI. 1'., remarks 071 declara- tion of war, 5. Flour, President authorized to purchase, store, and sell, 27. Food. See Food-control act and Foo act. Food-control act, 26-28. Food-survey act, 25-26. Foreign relations, penalties for disturbance of, Fuels, President authorized to requisition, 27. Gerry, Senator P. G., authorized to enter into contract for use of yacht, it). Hoarding, provisions to prohibit, 26-2S. Hollis, Senator Henry F., remarks on pri^.r act, 24. Home guards, act to authorize equipment for, 15. Hydrographic Office, derail of additional officers to, S. Imports, President authorized to place embargo upon. 42. Independent Order of Odd Fellows, regulations f'cr sale, holding, and conveying cf real estate of, 9. Insurance, amendments to '■■ ur-risli insurance act, 14; taxes levied upon, 32; military and naval insurance act, 42. Interstate Commerce Commission, authorized to establish car service rules, 13: increase in mem- bership of, 24. Inventions, publication of military, 40. Lenrool, Representative I. L., remarks on con- scription bill, 10. Licenses, President authorized to prescribe regula- tions lor issuance of, 26-28, 42. Liquors, taxes levied upon, 31. See also Lock, authorization to construct, in Mermentau River, 28. Lodge, Senator H. C, remarks on declaration of war, 5. Mails, use of, for treasonable or seditious matter, 17. Mann, Representative James R., remarks on avia- tion lull, 21. Marine Corps. See Navy. Meal, President authorized to purchase, store, and sell, 27. Mileage, appropriations for, 6. Military Academy, regular appropriations for, 13. Mining' claims, relieving owners of, from performing assessment work, 21; suspending labor require- ments of owners of, 35. Mullins, Mrs. Nancy E., an act for the relief of, 22. Monopolization, provisions to prohibit, 26-28. 47 48 FIRST SESSION OF THE WAR CONGRESS. Naval Academy, increasing the number of enlist- ments at, until September 1, 1918, 8. Naval Reserve. See Navy. Navy, provision lor extension of minority enlist- ments in the naval service, 8: increasing the age limit for persons appointed as oilicers in t he N aval Reserve,'*; provision of new regulations for enroll- ment in the Naval Reserve, 12; strength of Navy and Marine Corps temporarily increased, 12; appropriations for, in first war appropriations act, 16-17; citizens serving in allied navies, 33; air station provided for Navy, 35; appropriations for, in second war appropriations act, 35; reim- bursement of seamen for properly lost or de- stroyed in service, 37; payment of six months' gratuity to dependents, 3x; liquor and immorality sections of draft law extended" to Navy, 39; court- martial procedure, 39; 40 cents fixed as com- mutation price of Navy ration, 41; new ratings for enginemen, blacksmiths, etc., 41. See also Fleet Naval Reserve and Secretary of the .Navy. Neutrality, regulations for enforcement of, 16. Nelson, Senator Knute, remarks on conscription bill, 10. Nitrate of soda, President authorized to procure stocks of, 28. North Island, San Diego, Cal., site for permanent aviation statious, 22. Passports, regulations for issuance of, 18. Pneumatic mail-tube service, investigation of, 13. Port of entry, established at Northgate, N. Dak., 36. Postage, rales provided in revenue act, 32. Potassium, act authorizing exploration for and dis- position of, 31. President, authorized and directed to employ naval and military forces, 5; lump-sum appropriation made available for, 6, authority given to, by bond issue acts, 6, 29; authorized to take over enemy vessels, 9; authority given to, by conscrip- tion act, 10-11; authority given, in production and operation of ships, 15-16; embargo powers authorized, 18; authorized to determine priorities in transportation, 2-1-25; authorized to direct co- operation with departments, 25, 26; authorized to carry out purposes of food-control act, 26; author- ized to accept services without compensation, 26; authorized to prescribe regulations for issuance of licenses, 26; authorized to requisition foods, fuels, and other supplies, 27; authorized to purchase, store, and sell wheat, flour, meal, beans, and po- tatoes, 27; authorized to requisition factories, packing houses, oil pipe lines, and other plants, 27; authorized to prescribe regulations for, or pro- hibit operations of, exchanges. 27; authorized to commandeer distilled spirits in bond or in stock, 27; authorized to fix a reasonable guaranteed price for wheat; report to be made by, of pro- ceedings under the food-control act, 28; author- ized to fix price of coal and coke, to establish rules for their production, to requisition plants, busi- ness, and appurtenances of their production, 28; authorized to procure stocks of nitrate of soda, 2s; authorized to appoint chaplains, 39: authorized to use as Field Artillery or Infantry such regiments of Cavalry as he might determine, 42; authorized to issue licenses for trading with an enemy or ally of an enemy, 42: authorized to cause communica- tions between the United States and any foreign country to be censored, 42; authorized to place an embargo upon imports, 42. Priority, in transportation, 24-25. Public Health Service, fixing the status and rights of officers of, when serving with the Coast Guard, Army, or Navy, 20. Public-land affidavits, to be taken before military authorities, 37. Railways. See Transportation. Recruiting, act authorizing recruiting by allied governments from their nationals in this country, 9. Red Cross, authorized to erect temporary build- ings, 12. Revenue act, 31-32. Rivers and harbors appropriations act, 24. Seal, Government, attempts at forgery of, IS. Search warrants, regulations for issuance of, 18. Secretary of Agriculture, authorized to conduct in- vestigation, 25; authorized to furnish seeds to farmers, 25; authorized to cooperate with State, local, and public agencies, 25. Secretary of the Interior, authorized to expend funds for drainage purposes, 43. Secretary of the Navy, authorized to assign mem- bers of the Fleet Naval Reserve to active duty for training on land , 7; authorized to detail additional oflicers to the Hydrographic Office, 8; authorized and directed to appoint a board of survey, 9; supervision over aircraft board, 31. See also ■ Navy. > Secretary of the Treasury, powers granted to, by bond issue acts, 6-7; 29; powers granted to, by war-risk insurance act, 14; powers granted to, by espionage act, 17. Secretary of War, authorized to issue permits for di- versions of water on Niagara River, 20; authorized to institute proceedings for acquirement of land by condemnation, 20; supervision over aircraft board, 31; authorized to make regulations for al- lotment of pay , 37. See also Army. Seeds, provisions for special need of. 25. Selective draft, regulations governing, 10-11. Settlers. See Entrymen. Sheppard, Senator Morris, remarks on the food- control act, 26. Sherley, Representative Swagar, remarks on — scription bill, 10. Shipping Board, authorized to permit coastJJ, trade to foreign vessels, 38. Ships. See Vessels. Smithsonian Institution, temporary buildings t erected on grounds of, 14. Spirits, distilled, provisions prohibiting use of > materials for production of, 27; importation prohibited, 27; President authorized to cottitimu- deer, 27; taxlevied upon, 31; export of, 43. Stamp taxes, upon bonds of indebtedness, deeds of conveyance, etc., 32. Stationery, appropriation for, 6. Sundry civil appropriations act, 15; correction of error in, 19. Swanson, Senator C. A., remarks on declaration of war, 5. Taxes. Set Revenue act. Tillman, Senator B. R., remarks on declaration of war, 5. Tobacco, taxes levied upon, 31. Trading with the enemy act, 42. Treasury Department, new building for use of,. 30. See also Secretary of the Treasury. Transportation; ijfovision of new car service regu- lations, 13: powers authorized to President to de- termine priorities in, 24-25; taxes levied upon, 32. Vessels, President authorized to take over enemy, 9; powers granted to President to produce and operate, 15-16; regulations for anchorage and movement of, 17: attempts to endanger cargo or persons on board, 17; foreign vessels admitted to coastwise trade, 37. War-risk insurance. See Insurance. Water power, permits on Niagara River, 20. Wheat, President authorized to purchase, store, and sell, 27: President authorized to fix reasonable guaranteed price for, 27. Willapa Harbor and River, Wash., improvement of, 28. Workmen's compensation laws, amendments relat- ing to, 40. o