REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON FEDERAL

LEGISLATION.

To the President and Members of the Georgia Bar Association:

The Committee on Federal Legislation submits the following report of Federal legislation since our last meeting.

I.

LAWS FOR THE ENCOURAGEMENT AND CONTROL OF

FOOD PRODUCTS.

Some laws having for their object the encouragement and control of food products passed by Congress are laws: regulating the distribution of seeds; regulating the sale or rental of films for agricultural education; providing for supply to municipalities of American bison, and for the loan or exchange of same; regulating the shipment of equine (horse) meat; regulating the shipment of cattle in interstate commerce; extending Food and Drug Acts so as to include wrapped meats; making certain amendments to the wartime food control acts; continuing the Sugar Equalization Board until Dec. 31st, 1920.

II.

LAWS FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF THE NATURAL
RESOURCES OF THE COUNTRY.

Some laws for the development of our natural resources are laws: regulating excuses for non-residence upon homesteads including the excuses of those taking vocational training under the Federal law; creating a reclamation fund from the lease or other disposition of lands withdrawn under the reclamation law; providing means for increasing stock raising homesteads to the limit of 640 acres as a maximum for such homesteads; encouraging reclamation of arid lands in Nevada but re

serving to the Government the coal and other mineral rights; providing for the granting of certain lands for school purposes on reclaimed lands; establishing Zion National Park in Washington State and placing it under the control of the Secretary of State of the United States; authorizing local drainage districts to drain certain public lands in Arkansas, and regulating such drainage; giving to discharged soldiers, sailors and marines, preferred rights of homestead entry; promoting the mining of coal, phosphate, oil, oil shale, gas, and sodium on the public domain; providing for the furnishing of water supply for miscellaneous purposes in connection with reclamation projects.

III.

LAWS REGULATING TRANSPORTATION AND COMMUNI

CATION.

Some laws dealing with transportation and communication problems are laws: decreasing emergency shipping fund; inhibiting compensation for contractors to build ships on basis of cost of construction plus percentage thereof; authorizing sale of plants and material acquired by United States Shipping Board Emergency Fleet Corporation; repealing Government control for war purposes of Telegraph, Telephone, Cable and Radio Systems, and providing for their return to their owners with compensation; providing for the reimbursement of the United States for sums advanced to provide motive power, etc., to carriers while under Federal control; authorizing the Commissioner of Navigation to change names of vessels; authorizing suits against the United States in admiralty, and suits for salvage services, and providing for the release of merchant vessels belonging to the United States from arrest and attachment in foreign jurisdictions.

IV.

NATIONAL DEFENSE LAWS.

Many provisions are made relative to the enlistment in the army and navy, transfers from one part of the service

to another, payment for services, promotions, disposition of stores and equipment, establishing aviation schools; there were amendments to the War Risk Insurance Acts, and amendments to the Vocational Rehabilitation Acts; there was an act creating the office of General of the Armies of the United States; amendments were made to Trading with the Enemy Acts; certain provisions were made regulating the National Guard; providing for loan of Army rifles to posts of the American Legion; authorizing the transfer to the Federal Board for Vocational Training of certain surplus machine tools and other equipment of the War Department; giving the Secretary of War the power to transfer, on terms and conditions stated, surplus motor-propelled vehicles and motor equipment, and road making material, to various services and departments of the Government, and for the use of the States; providing for Federal aid to State and Territorial Houses for disabled soldiers and sailors.

V.

INTOXICATING LIQUOR LAWS.

Of considerable interest is the National Prohibition Act, popularly known as the Volstead Act. This act is very complete and its purpose is to prohibit intoxicating liquors, that is, liquors fit for use for beverage purposes containing one-half of one per cent or more of alcohol by volume. Among the provisions of the act is a provision giving a right of action for damages against one who furnishes intoxicating liquor to another when that other by reason of intoxication so produced, damages a third person; the person so damaged may recover actual and exemplary damages.

VI.

NATIONAL BANKS.

Several amendments were made to the laws regulating National Banks, and among the amendments was one regulating such banks in doing foreign banking business; and, an act specifying for what demands National Bank notes are receivable.

VII.

MOTOR VEHICLES.

An act was passed known as the National Motor Vehicle Theft Act, which makes it criminal to transport or cause to be transported in interstate or foreign commerce a motor vehicle knowing the same to have been stolen, or to receive, conceal, store, sell, or otherwise dispose of any motor vehicle moving as, or which constitutes, interstate or foreign commerce knowing the same to have been stolen.

VIII.
IMMIGRATION.

An act was passed to regulate further the entry of aliens into the United States, the act to be in effect until March 4th, 1921.

IX.

TRANSPORTATION ACT.

Special mention is made of the Transportation Act. It provides that Federal control of railroads and systems of transportation shall terminate at 12:01 o'clock A. M. March 1st, 1920; withdraws from the President most of the powers that had been conferred by the Federal Control Act, but provides that wartime powers of the President shall not be limited by the terms of the act; provides for the operation of government owned boats on inland waterways under direction of the Secretary of War and regulates such operation; provides for the settlement of matters arising out of Federal control; makes provision for compensation of carriers with which no contract was made; provides for the ascertainment of deficits arising out of Federal control, and for the payment of such deficits; makes the property and records of carriers subject to inspection by the President wherever such inspection is desired by the Government; regulates payment and the enforcement of causes of action arising out of Federal control; makes provision for refunding carriers' indebtedness to the United States; for existing rates, fares,

charges, classifications, etc., to continue for a specified time; makes certain guaranties of compensation to carriers for limited periods after the release from Federal control, extending the guaranties to American Railway Express Company; provides for new loans by the Government to the Railroads. Provision is made for the adjustment of disputes between carriers and their subordinate employees, by an adjustment board which the employers and employees can create; if they do not adjust through such boards the adjustment boards may refer the causes to the Railroad Labor Board; or causes may be brought directly before such last named board under terms named; this Railroad Labor Board is composed of nine members, three of whom represent the railroad employer, three the railroad employees, and three the public at large, all named by the President by and with the advice and consent of the Senate; the terms and salary of the members of the board are fixed; the duties of the Labor Board are outlined and powers fixed so that the board may obtain evidence and information relevant, and may properly enforce its rules and findings.

There are a number of amendments to the Interstate Commerce Act.

X.

ARMY BILL.

Special mention is also made of a bill passed April 20th, 1920, which provides for the organization and regulation of the Army of the United States. The bill is so voluminous that it is impossible to give a synopsis of its provisions in a limited space. It is sufficient to say that it makes full provision for the organization and regulation of the army which includes the National Guard. All of which is respectfully submitted.

HAL LAWSON, Chairman.

A. R. LAWTON,

H. A. HALL,

J. A. BRANCH.