Every law Congress has passed

453 laws of the 65th Congress, 1917–1919

1. Joint Resolution Declaring that a state of war exists between the Imperial German Government and the Government and the people of the United States and making provision to prosecute the same.

   Ch. 1 · 40 Stat. 1 · April 6, 1917 · Original text

2. An Act Making appropriations for certain expenses incident to the first session of the Sixty-fifth Congress, and for other purposes.

   Ch. 2 · 40 Stat. 1 · April 11, 1917 · Original text

3. An Act Making appropriations to supply deficiencies in appropriations for the fiscal year ending June thirtieth, nineteen hundred and seventeen, and prior fiscal years, and for other purposes.

   Ch. 3 · 40 Stat. 2 · April 17, 1917 · Original text

4. An Act To authorize an issue of bonds to meet expenditures for the national security and defense, and, for the purpose of assisting in the prosecution of the war, to extend credit to foreign governments, and for other purposes.

   Ch. 4 · 40 Stat. 35 · April 24, 1917 · Original text

5. An Act To amend an Act entitled “An Act making appropriations for the naval service for the fiscal year ending June thirtieth, nineteen hundred and seventeen, and for other purposes,” relative to the Fleet Naval Reserve.

   Ch. 5 · 40 Stat. 37 · April 25, 1917 · Original text

6. An Act To provide for the extension of minority enlistments in the naval service.

   Ch. 6 · 40 Stat. 38 · April 25, 1917 · Original text

7. An Act To authorize the detail of additional officers to the Hydrographic Office.

   Ch. 7 · 40 Stat. 38 · April 25, 1917 · Original text

8. An Act To increase the number of midshipmen at the Naval Academy until September first, nineteen hundred and eighteen.

   Ch. 8 · 40 Stat. 38 · April 25, 1917 · Original text

9. An Act To increase the age limit for persons appointed as officers in the Naval Reserve.

   Ch. 9 · 40 Stat. 38 · April 25, 1917 · Original text

10. An Act To amend an Act approved June twenty-ninth, nineteen hundred and six, and entitled “An Act to authorize the Grand Lodge of the Independent Order of Odd Fellows of the District of Columbia to sell, hold, and convey certain real estate.”

    Ch. 10 · 40 Stat. 38 · April 30, 1917 · Original text

11. An Act To amend section ten of chapter two of the Criminal Code.

    Ch. 11 · 40 Stat. 39 · May 7, 1917 · Original text

12. An Act Making appropriations for the support of the Army for the fiscal year ending June thirtieth, nineteen hundred and eighteen, and for other purposes.

    Ch. 12 · 40 Stat. 40 · May 12, 1917 · Original text

13. Joint Resolution Authorizing the President to take over for the United States the possession and title of any vessel within its jurisdiction, which at the time of coming therein was owned in whole or in part by any corporation, citizen, or subject of any nation with which the United States may be at war, or was under register of any such nation, and for other purposes.

    Ch. 13 · 40 Stat. 75 · May 12, 1917 · Original text

14. An Act To authorize Peter Goelet Gerry to enter into a contract with the Secretary of the Navy, in behalf of the United States, for the use of the steam yacht Owera.

    Ch. 14 · 40 Stat. 1355 · May 12, 1917 · Private law · Original text

15. An Act To authorize the President to increase temporarily the Military Establishment of the United States.

    Ch. 15 · 40 Stat. 76 · May 18, 1917 · Original text

16. An Act Authorizing the county of Morrison, Minnesota, to construct a bridge across the Mississippi River in said county.

    Ch. 16 · 40 Stat. 83 · May 22, 1917 · Original text

17. An Act Authorizing the city of Bemidji, Minnesota, to construct a bridge across the Mississippi River at or near that place.

    Ch. 17 · 40 Stat. 83 · May 22, 1917 · Original text

18. An Act To amend an Act entitled “An Act making appropriations for the naval service for the fiscal year ending June thirtieth, nineteen hundred and seventeen, and for other purposes,” relative to enrollments in the Naval Reserve Force.

    Ch. 18 · 40 Stat. 84 · May 22, 1917 · Original text

19. An Act Granting consent to Ernest B. Denison, A. J. Barchfield, and Ethan I. Dodds to construct a bridge across the Wabash River within or near the city limits of the city of Vincennes, Indiana.

    Ch. 19 · 40 Stat. 84 · May 22, 1917 · Original text

20. An Act To temporarily increase the commissioned and warrant and enlisted strength of the Navy and Marine Corps, and for other purposes.

    Ch. 20 · 40 Stat. 84 · May 22, 1917 · Original text

21. Joint Resolution To grant authority for the erection of temporary buildings at the headquarters of the American Red Cross, Washington, District of Columbia.

    Ch. 21 · 40 Stat. 90 · May 22, 1917 · Original text

22. An Act Making appropriations for the support of the Military Academy for the fiscal year ending June thirtieth, nineteen hundred and eighteen, and for other purposes.

    Ch. 22 · 40 Stat. 90 · May 29, 1917 · Original text

23. An Act To amend an Act entitled “An Act to regulate commerce,” as amended, in respect of car service, and for other purposes.

    Ch. 23 · 40 Stat. 101 · May 29, 1917 · Original text

24. Joint Resolution Making immediately available moneys appropriated for the investigation of the pneumatic mail-tube service in the Act approved March third, nineteen hundred and seventeen.

    Ch. 24 · 40 Stat. 102 · June 1, 1917 · Original text

25. Joint Resolution Authorizing the Board of Regents of the Smithsonian Institution to permit the Secretary of War to erect temporary buildings in the Smithsonian Grounds.

    Ch. 25 · 40 Stat. 102 · June 9, 1917 · Original text

26. An Act To amend an Act entitled “An Act to authorize the establishment of a Bureau of War Risk Insurance in the Treasury Department, ” approved September second, nineteen hundred and fourteen, and for other purposes.

    Ch. 26 · 40 Stat. 102 · June 12, 1917 · Original text

27. An Act Making appropriations for sundry civil expenses of the Government for the fiscal year ending June thirtieth, nineteen hundred and eighteen, and for other purposes.

    Ch. 27 · 40 Stat. 105 · June 12, 1917 · Original text

28. An Act To authorize the issue to States and Territories and the District of Columbia of rifles and other property for the equipment of organizations of home guards.

    Ch. 28 · 40 Stat. 181 · June 14, 1917 · Original text

29. An Act Making appropriations to supply urgent deficiencies in appropriations for the Military and Naval Establishments on account of war expenses for the fiscal year ending June thirtieth, nineteen hundred and seventeen, and for other purposes.

    Ch. 29 · 40 Stat. 182 · June 15, 1917 · Original text

30. An Act To punish, acts of interference with the foreign relations, the neutrality, and the foreign commerce of the United States, to punish espionage, and better to enforce the criminal laws of the United States, and for other purposes.

    Ch. 30 · 40 Stat. 217 · June 15, 1917 · Original text

31. Joint Resolution Relating to the service of certain retired officers of the Army.

    Ch. 31 · 40 Stat. 231 · June 15, 1917 · Original text

32. An Act To amend the Act approved December twenty-third, nineteen hundred and thirteen, known as the Federal reserve Act, as amended by the Acts of August fourth, nineteen hundred and fourteen, August fifteenth, nineteen hundred and fourteen, March third, nineteen hundred and fifteen, and September seventh, nineteen hundred and sixteen.

    Ch. 32 · 40 Stat. 232 · June 21, 1917 · Original text

33. Joint Resolution To correct an error in the sundry civil appropriation Act for the fiscal year nineteen hundred and eighteen.

    Ch. 33 · 40 Stat. 240 · June 21, 1917 · Original text

34. Joint Resolution Extending the time within which the “Joint resolution authorizing the Secretary of War to issue temporary permits for additional diversions of water from the Niagara River” shall remain in effect.

    Ch. 34 · 40 Stat. 241 · June 30, 1917 · Original text

35. An Act To authorize condemnation proceedings of lands for military purposes.

    Ch. 35 · 40 Stat. 241 · July 2, 1917 · Original text

36. An Act Providing for the modification of the designs of the current quarter dollar.

    Ch. 36 · 40 Stat. 242 · July 9, 1917 · Original text

37. Joint Resolution To fix the status and rights of officers of the Public Health Service when serving with the Coast Guard, the Army, or the Navy.

    Ch. 37 · 40 Stat. 242 · July 9, 1917 · Original text

38. An Act Making appropriations for certain session employees of the Senate and House of Representatives.

    Ch. 38 · 40 Stat. 242 · July 17, 1917 · Original text

39. Joint Resolution To relieve the owners of mining claims who have been mustered into the military or naval service of the United States as officers or enlisted men from performing assessment work during the term of such service.

    Ch. 39 · 40 Stat. 243 · July 17, 1917 · Original text

40. An Act To authorize the President to increase temporarily the Signal Corps of the Army and to purchase, manufacture, maintain, repair, and operate airships, and to make appropriations therefor, and for other purposes.

    Ch. 40 · 40 Stat. 243 · July 24, 1917 · Original text

41. An Act Granting the consent of Congress to the Sebastian bridge district to construct a bridge across the Arkansas River, at the foot of Garrison Avenue, at Fort Smith, Arkansas.

    Ch. 41 · 40 Stat. 247 · July 27, 1917 · Original text

42. An Act Authorizing the President to take possession, on behalf of the United States, for use as sites for permanent aviation stations for the Army and Navy and for aviation school purposes, of the whole of North Island in the harbor of San Diego, California, and for other purposes.

    Ch. 42 · 40 Stat. 247 · July 27, 1917 · Original text

43. An Act For the relief of Mrs. Nancy E. Mullins.

    Ch. 43 · 40 Stat. 1355 · July 27, 1917 · Private law · Original text

44. An Act For the relief of homestead entrymen or settlers who enter the military or naval service of the United States in time of war.

    Ch. 44 · 40 Stat. 248 · July 28, 1917 · Original text

45. An Act To authorize the county of Cass, in the State of Indiana, to construct a bridge across the Wabash River east of the city of Logansport, at a point known as Cedar or Rock Island, in said Wabash River.

    Ch. 45 · 40 Stat. 249 · July 28, 1917 · Original text

46. An Act Granting the consent of Congress to the Pritchard-Wheeler Lumber Company, of Wisner, Louisiana, to construct a bridge across Bayou Macon, in Louisiana, at a point east of the town of Wisner, Louisiana.

    Ch. 46 · 40 Stat. 249 · July 28, 1917 · Original text

47. An Act To authorize the construction, maintenance, and operation of a bridge across Little River, at or near the foot of the gar hole about one-half mile south of the Jonesboro, Lake City and Eastern Railway bridge across Little River, Arkansas.

    Ch. 47 · 40 Stat. 249 · August 3, 1917 · Original text

48. An Act For the protection of desert-land entrymen who enter the military or naval service of the United States in time of war.

    Ch. 48 · 40 Stat. 250 · August 7, 1917 · Original text

49. An Act Making appropriations for the construction, repair, and preservation of certain public works on rivers and harbors, and for other purposes.

    Ch. 49 · 40 Stat. 250 · August 8, 1917 · Original text

50. An Act To amend the Act to regulate commerce, as amended, and for other purposes.

    Ch. 50 · 40 Stat. 270 · August 9, 1917 · Original text

51. An Act To amend the Act to regulate commerce, as amended, and for other purposes.

    Ch. 51 · 40 Stat. 272 · August 10, 1917 · Original text

52. An Act To provide further for the national security and defense by stimulating agriculture and facilitating the distribution of agricultural products.

    Ch. 52 · 40 Stat. 273 · August 10, 1917 · Original text

53. An Act To provide further for the national security and defense by encouraging the production, conserving the supply, and controlling the distribution of food products and fuel.

    Ch. 53 · 40 Stat. 276 · August 10, 1917 · Original text

54. An Act To authorize and empower the Southwest Louisiana Waterways Association, of the State of Louisiana, to construct a lock and dam in Mermentau River, in the State of Louisiana.

    Ch. 54 · 40 Stat. 287 · September 19, 1917 · Original text

55. Joint Resolution For improving Willapa Harbor and River, Washington.

    Ch. 55 · 40 Stat. 287 · September 19, 1917 · Original text

56. An Act To authorize an additional issue of bonds to meet expenditures for the national security and defense, and, for the purpose of assisting in the prosecution of the war, to extend additional credit to foreign Governments, and for other purposes.

    Ch. 56 · 40 Stat. 288 · September 24, 1917 · Original text

57. An Act Extending the time for the construction of a bridge across the Arkansas River between the cities of Little Rock and Argenta, Arkansas.

    Ch. 57 · 40 Stat. 295 · September 25, 1917 · Original text

58. An Act To authorize the construction of a building for the use of the Treasury Department.

    Ch. 58 · 40 Stat. 295 · September 27, 1917 · Original text

59. An Act To extend the time for constructing a bridge across the Tug Fork of the Big Sandy River near Warfield, Kentucky, and Kermit, West Virginia, authorized by an Act approved January twenty-eighth, nineteen hundred and sixteen.

    Ch. 59 · 40 Stat. 296 · September 28, 1917 · Original text

60. An Act To authorize the construction, maintenance, and operation of a bridge across the Saline River, at or near Suttons Ferry, Arkansas.

    Ch. 60 · 40 Stat. 296 · October 1, 1917 · Original text

61. An Act To create the Aircraft Board and provide for its maintenance.

    Ch. 61 · 40 Stat. 296 · October 1, 1917 · Original text

62. An Act To authorize exploration for and disposition of potassium.

    Ch. 62 · 40 Stat. 297 · October 2, 1917 · Original text

63. An Act To provide revenue to defray war expenses, and for other purposes.

    Ch. 63 · 40 Stat. 300 · October 3, 1917 · Original text

64. An Act To authorize the Gulf Ports Terminal Railway Company, a corporation existing under the laws of the State of Florida, to construct a bridge over and across the headwaters of Mobile Bay and such navigable channels as are between the east side of the Bay and Blakely Island, in Baldwin and Mobile Counties, Alabama.

    Ch. 64 · 40 Stat. 339 · October 5, 1917 · Original text

65. An Act Granting the consent of Congress to the Gainesville Red River Bridge Company to construct a bridge across Red River.

    Ch. 65 · 40 Stat. 339 · October 5, 1917 · Original text

66. An Act Granting the consent of Congress to the city of Elgin, Illinois, to construct, maintain, and operate a bridge across the Fox River at Elgin.

    Ch. 66 · 40 Stat. 339 · October 5, 1917 · Original text

67. An Act Extending the time for the construction of a bridge across the Mississippi River in Aitkin County, Logan Township, State of Minnesota.

    Ch. 67 · 40 Stat. 340 · October 5, 1917 · Original text

68. An Act Defining the status of citizens of the United States who have entered the military or naval services of certain countries during the existing war in Europe.

    Ch. 68 · 40 Stat. 340 · October 5, 1917 · Original text

69. An Act Authorizing the county of Clallam, in the State of Washington, to convey to the city of Port Angeles certain lands.

    Ch. 69 · 40 Stat. 341 · October 5, 1917 · Original text

70. An Act Authorizing the counties of Cass and Itasca, Minnesota, to construct a bridge across the Mississippi River between said counties.

    Ch. 70 · 40 Stat. 341 · October 5, 1917 · Original text

71. An Act Authorizing the counties of Itasca and Cass, Minnesota, to construct a bridge across the Mississippi River in said counties.

    Ch. 71 · 40 Stat. 341 · October 5, 1917 · Original text

72. An Act Granting the consent of Congress to Webbers Falls Railroad Company, a corporation, its successors and assigns, to construct a bridge across the Arkansas River, between the towns of Webbers Falls and Gore, in the State of Oklahoma.

    Ch. 72 · 40 Stat. 342 · October 5, 1917 · Original text

73. An Act Granting the consent of Congress to The Whiteville Lumber Company to construct a bridge across Waccamaw River.

    Ch. 73 · 40 Stat. 342 · October 5, 1917 · Original text

74. An Act To amend the laws relating to the denominations of circulating notes by national banks and to permit the issuance of notes of small denominations, and for other purposes.

    Ch. 74 · 40 Stat. 342 · October 5, 1917 · Original text

75. Joint Resolution To suspend the requirements of annual assessment work on mining claims during the years nineteen hundred and seventeen and nineteen hundred and eighteen.

    Ch. 75 · 40 Stat. 343 · October 5, 1917 · Original text

76. Joint Resolution Authorizing the payment of October salaries to officers and employees of the Senate and House of Representatives on the day of adjournment of the present session.

    Ch. 76 · 40 Stat. 343 · October 5, 1917 · Original text

77. An Act To provide for the acquisition of an air station site for the United States Navy.

    Ch. 77 · 40 Stat. 344 · October 6, 1917 · Original text

78. An Act Granting the consent of Congress to the Gilmer-Pittsburgh Coal Company to construct a bridge across the Little Kanawha River.

    Ch. 78 · 40 Stat. 344 · October 6, 1917 · Original text

79. An Act Making appropriations to supply urgent deficiencies in appropriations for the fiscal year ending June thirtieth, nineteen hundred and eighteen, and prior fiscal years, on account of war expenses, and for other purposes.

    Ch. 79 · 40 Stat. 345 · October 6, 1917 · Original text

80. An Act For the establishment of Northgate, in the State of North Dakota, as a port of entry for immediate transportation without appraisement of dutiable merchandise.

    Ch. 80 · 40 Stat. 384 · October 6, 1917 · Original text

81. An Act Making further provision for the allotment of pay of officers, enlisted men, and civilian employees of the Army, and for other purposes.

    Ch. 81 · 40 Stat. 384 · October 6, 1917 · Original text

82. An Act To authorize the construction, maintenance, and operation of a bridge across Little River, in Poinsett County, Arkansas, at or near the section line between sections thirty-five and thirty-six, township eleven north, range six east.

    Ch. 82 · 40 Stat. 385 · October 6, 1917 · Original text

83. An Act To prohibit the manufacture, distribution, storage, use, and possession in time of war of explosives, providing regulations for the safe manufacture, distribution, storage, use, and possession of the same, and for other purposes.

    Ch. 83 · 40 Stat. 385 · October 6, 1917 · Original text

84. An Act Extending the time for the construction of a bridge across Flint River, in the State of Georgia.

    Ch. 84 · 40 Stat. 389 · October 6, 1917 · Original text

85. An Act To provide for the reimbursement of officers, enlisted men, and others in the naval service of the United States for property lost or destroyed in such service.

    Ch. 85 · 40 Stat. 389 · October 6, 1917 · Original text

86. An Act Providing for an amendment to section twenty-two hundred and ninety-three of the Revised Statutes, allowing homestead and other public land affidavits to be taken before the military commander of any person engaged in military or naval service of the United States.

    Ch. 86 · 40 Stat. 391 · October 6, 1917 · Original text

87. An Act Amending the Act to increase the limit of the cost of certain public buildings, and so forth.

    Ch. 87 · 40 Stat. 391 · October 6, 1917 · Original text

88. An Act Giving the United States Shipping Board power to suspend present provisions of law and permit vessels of foreign registry and foreign-built vessels admitted to American registry under the Act of August eighteenth, nineteen hundred and fourteen, to engage in the coastwise trade during the present war and for a period of one hundred and twenty days thereafter, except the coastwise trade with Alaska.

    Ch. 88 · 40 Stat. 392 · October 6, 1917 · Original text

89. An Act To provide for the payment of six months’ gratuity to the widow, children, or other previously designated dependent relative of retired officers or enlisted men on active duty.

    Ch. 89 · 40 Stat. 392 · October 6, 1917 · Original text

90. An Act Granting the consent of Congress to the Trumbull Steel Company, its successors and assigns, to construct, maintain, and operate a bridge and approaches thereto across the Mahoning River, in the State of Ohio.

    Ch. 90 · 40 Stat. 392 · October 6, 1917 · Original text

91. An Act To authorize the issuance of Reserve Corps and National Army commissions in the lower grades of staff corps and to remove the fixed age limits requiring the discharge of Reserve Corps officers.

    Ch. 91 · 40 Stat. 393 · October 6, 1917 · Original text

92. An Act To promote the efficiency of the United States Navy.

    Ch. 92 · 40 Stat. 393 · October 6, 1917 · Original text

93. An Act To provide for the service of officers of auxiliary naval forces on naval courts.

    Ch. 93 · 40 Stat. 393 · October 6, 1917 · Original text

94. An Act Authorizing appointment of chaplains at large for the United States Army.

    Ch. 94 · 40 Stat. 394 · October 6, 1917 · Original text

95. An Act To prevent the publication of inventions by the grant of patents that might be detrimental to the public safety or convey useful information to the enemy, to stimulate invention, and provide adequate protection to owners of patents, and for other purposes.

    Ch. 95 · 40 Stat. 394 · October 6, 1917 · Original text

96. An Act Granting the consent of Congress to the Wolf Creek Lumber Company to maintain a bridge already constructed across Tug River.

    Ch. 96 · 40 Stat. 395 · October 6, 1917 · Original text

97. An Act To amend sections twenty-four and two hundred and fifty-six of the Judicial Code, relating to the jurisdiction of the district courts, so as to save to claimants the rights and remedies under the workmen’s compensation law of any State.

    Ch. 97 · 40 Stat. 395 · October 6, 1917 · Original text

98. An Act Authorizing the Secretary of War to donate to the State of North Carolina two brass cannon, with carriage.

    Ch. 98 · 40 Stat. 396 · October 6, 1917 · Original text

99. An Act Granting the consent of Congress for the construction of a bridge and approaches thereto across the Arkansas River between the cities of Little Rock and Argenta.

    Ch. 99 · 40 Stat. 396 · October 6, 1917 · Original text

100. An Act Granting the consent of Congress to the city of El Paso, Texas, to construct a bridge across the Rao Grande River within or near the city limits of El Paso, Texas, such construction to be made with the consent and cooperation of the Republic of Mexico.

     Ch. 100 · 40 Stat. 396 · October 6, 1917 · Original text