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Show CONGRESS TAKES-" : SHORTVAGATION REGULAR BUSINESS SESSIONS SUSPENDED, TWO MEETINGS A WEEK TO BE HELD. But Few Members of Senate ancf House to Remain at Capital. Much Work Has Been Done Since Session Began Last December. Washington. The exodus of congressmen con-gressmen from Washington for a summer sum-mer vacation was in full swing Sunday. Sun-day. Most senators departed under the agreement made to suspend important impor-tant business until August 24, although a few remain to hold the perfunctory sessions Mondays and Thursdays each week required by law. Many representatives represen-tatives left town in anticipation of formal agreement by the house for a similar vacation until August 19. Beginning with adoption of the resolution reso-lution for a declaration of war on Aus-tira-Hungary on December 7, the record rec-ord of congress Is considered remarkable, remark-able, in view of the unprecedented Importance Im-portance of most of the preblems presented. pres-ented. In addition to the war resolution and appropriation bills, totalling billions of dollars, the principal measures enacted at this sesion of congress were : To place railroads under government operation during the war. Authorizing the president to control telegraph, telephone, coble and radio lines until peace is declared. Creating a war finance corporation with funds to aid the government and private business during the war. Extending espionage and sedition laws. The Overman bill, giving the president presi-dent authority to reorganize and coordinate co-ordinate government departments. Draft Extended. Extending, the draft, law to youths attaining their majority and also to subjects of thet allies and certain neutrals. neu-trals. , Authorizing an additional $8,000,000,-000 $8,000,000,-000 in Liberty bonds. ' In addition to these measures, congress con-gress also adopted the resolution submitting sub-mitting to the states a proposed national na-tional prohibition amendment to the federal constitution, while the house adopted and the senate is expected to act soon after the holiday on that for a similar woman suffrage amendment. Five times thus far during the Session Ses-sion President Wilson has addressed the senate and house in joint session, on December 4 to recommend war with Austria, on January 8 and again February Feb-ruary 11 regarding peace problems, on January 4 to recommend federal control of railroads and on May 27 to have congress remain in session and proceed with new war revenue legislation, legis-lation, now being framed by the house ways and means committee. |