The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-06-17
LAWS ENACTED FOR
WASHINGTON STATE,
RESUME OF WORK OF ITS CONGRESS
sIONAL DELEGATION.
Representative Jones Tella of Legis-
lation Accomplished of Interest
to Citizens, and of other Impor-
tant Measures stiII in Congress.

Special Dispatch 10 the Post-Intenigencer.
WASHINGTON, June l8->At the re-
quest OF the correspondent OF the Post-In-
telligencer. Representative Jones recently
summed up the work OF the last session OF
congress so far as 1t most particularly re-
lates to the interests of the people of
Washington. Mr.. Jones concisely and
clearly set forth not only tho successes.
but the failures. explaining In every case
the difficulties which have arisen. He
said:
Our entire delegation has worked very
harmoniously upon legislation OF gen
eral character. OF course. upon matters
of political nature. Senator Turner has
taken a different stand from the remain
der OF the delegation. but upon all other
matters he has worked most heartily and
earnestly with US.
"Of the bills and resolutions introduced
by the members of the delegation. over
twenty-four have been enacted into Jaw.
Some of these were of a private character
while others were OF a general nature
This IS in addition to the various appro-
priations included within the different ap-
propriation bills. Among these was a
bill providing for an appropriation of
$50 600 for the repair OF the Thetis, 10 be
used In Alaskan waters. II is TO be hoped
that these repairs will be made some
where on Puget sound. and therefore De
OF especial benefit to our state.
The delegation has been working very
nssduously TO secure n modlhcaton OF the
provision in the sundry civil act OF 1897.
whereby persons and corporations holding
lands within forest reserves could sur
render these lands and select In lieu OF
them other vacant public lands of the
United States. The great evil or this
legislation was that IL allowed these peo-
pie Ia select anywhere surveyed or unsur-
Veyed lands. In endeavoring TO remedy
this matter the delegation had the most
earnest support of Congressman Wilson,
OF Idaho, who was also on the public
lands committee in the house. There was
"a most determined opposition To the bill.
The public lands committee gave hear
ings at three or four different sessions
ami heard the arguments Of the railroad
attorneys. the attorneys for scrip holders
and various individuals
Tho hearings upon this hi also showed
the disadvantage under whtch The people
generally labored. Not a single person ap-
pcared before the committee opposing the
existing Jaw, and not a single outside var
~ appeared before the committee iu 4h-
vor of tho bills introduced 70 remedy the
existing evils. Congressman Wilson did
all he could in behalf Of this remedial
legislation and We finally secured Ia
vorab.e report from the committee on pub
lie lands recommending that lea seleo-
tons be hereafter confined to surveyed
lands This report was ordered May u
but IL was also provided IN the bin that
its provisions should not affect iio rights
of those wso before that dato bad sur
rendered lands TO the government and
made applications for specific tracts In
lieu thereof This bin vas not All Ne
wanted. but Il was all We could get with
any prospect ~ passage. II seemed inn
possible al that late date 90 secure the
passage of the Mll 20 an attempt Was
made 30 nave ar appropriation covering
the bin placed In he sundry citil blll This
vas done and the measure went 90 con-
ference. the couferees. Up The part ~ tae
house. being Cannon. Moody and MCEtae.
of Arkansas. We explained the matter
fuIy TO the onnferees ana 4rRei them TO
adopt the blIl "a reported from the public
lands committee ot tAe house.
"McSsrs. Cannon aud Moody referred tho
matter go Nj McEae, who had formerly
been upoa thc public lands committee.
and want 90 SAP that SO was very large
Is 90 his Eonest ard earnest effort tho
provision * the house was fuaAy Inserted
Iu The sandry ciyU blN. changed only 30
making The time at Nhi-A surreuiers and
selections cagld be made under existing
law ta Dctober e. 1915 Instead of Ma n
''T1.ls vas accepted hlf passed srA is
now Aw. 90 tlat after october : these
utu selections Will tf confined 90 sgr-
fe.eH lAuds 0Ely- v nile. rs said. ;bis
provtsi3o was not entirely satisfactory.
IL was the hf&t that could De- gotten and
vuI * d long aAy toward rnme4EinE the
evils that were 4rlntcn.oraNy b-oGkht
a ggut under TOE lAw 90 i.Fs. There b. aue
thfrE sure Yo more forest reserves in-
c.gd.ag railroad grants within thelr ho1a-