Omaha daily bee., 1902-03-05
Champions Of Railroad Bill Opposed by
Council Bluffs 0itisens,
WILLARD SUGGESTS NAMES FOR CABINET
Omaha Agency InvestIgatiOn is to BE
Pushea-secretary OF Interior Firm
Against Fences ON GRAZ
ing Lands.
Trom a siam correEpondent.l

half olashed over Congressman MERGERS
bill making the Omaha Bridge and Ter
minal company's structure between Council
Bluffs and Omaha a railroad bridge through
out. John L. Webster, Representatives Of
the Bridge and Terminal company, appeared
in support Of the measure, outlining the
manner in which the bridge came to be
built and the interests which were back
Of the project. He said IL was well nigh
impossible to permit foot passengers and
vehicles on the bridge at present, in view
Of It's use by the Illinois Central. He added
that it was not only dangerous, but was
without all reason to permit pedestrians
and vehicles TO pass on the bridge in front
or behind Of locomotives and railroad traf-
&c In general.
smith Opposes Measure.
Representative Smith of Council Bluffs,
following the reading OF the resolutions
Of the Commercial committee OF that city
and Of the city council, vigorously opposed
the measure in a speech of considerable
length. He said that the original charter
contemplated that this bridge should be
one Of the main arteries of trade between
Omaha and Council Bluffs, and the original
bill could not have beeen passed had 1t
stipulated that the structure was to be
used for q railroad bridge pure and simple.
He remarked that the railroads had usurped
almost everything. particularly the rights
Of the people, and he for one wanted to en-
ter his protest against the passage Of a
measure that would work untold hardship
to his constituency.
Emmett FINLEY, receiver Of the East
Omaha Land company, followed Congress-
mar Smith in support of the measure.
During the hearing, several member Of
the committee Intercepted the speakers
closely and the questions and answers pro-
duced amusement to such an extent that
Chairman Hepburn was forced to call the
committee to order several times.
One Of the members of the committee re-
marked after the meeting: when the
land boomer and railroad representatives
open up their game, the public is usually
benefited by the glimpse inside"
The committee adjourned without taking
a vote on the measure.
A. B. Delong Of Omaha was present at the
hearing, but took no part in the argument.
For q Successor to Hitchcock.
Senator Willard. upon his return from
New York today, confirmed the rumoru
that he was urging the appointment OF
W.. s. Mccormick Of Salt Lake City for
secretary OF the interior. The feeling is
growing in Washington that Secretary
| Hitchcock Is about to retire from the cab
met and each state delegation, particularly
In the east, . anxious to secure the place
for, q man Of it's own choosing. 1t is stated.
however, that President Roosevelt indicated
t<S7aends sSAaaWAee ago that should secre-
tary Hitchcock resign he would go west
for his successor. and that he would moi
stop this side Of the Rocky mountains fol-
his new secretary.
This information having been nolsed
about Senator Willard and Senator Kearns
together interview the president In behalf
Of Mr.. Mccormick, who is a well know
banker OF Salt Lake City. He was a dele.
gate to the republican national convention
at st. ouis and was Senator Kearns
strongest competitor in the senatorial nigh
of a year ago.
wyoming Has a Candidate.
The wyoming delegation has a candidat,
for the portfolio In the person of judge
Willis Van Devanter, assistant attorney
general for the Interior department. In tn,
event that Mr.. Mccormick cannot be mad,
secretary, Senator Willard stated that h,
would heartily favor Judge Van Devanter
whom he regards as one Of the bes
equipped men for the position In the publi
service today.
The junior senator from Nebraska sal,
he would like to have John l. Webster o
Nebraska in the cabinet, and his name wa
suggested to the president, but later MI
Roosevelt is reported to have replied tina
Nebraska was too near Iowa, so that Ne
braska cannot expect a place In Presiden
Roosevelt's oficial family at this time.
REPRESENTATIVE ManAan rAN Uy,wa0nto~ -.
at the Indian once today urging that tn
work OF alloting lands in severalty on tn
shoshone and Arapahoe Indian reservation
in Wyoming be taken up and completed q
soon as possible. the work OF allotment hav
ing been suspended for some time.
Omaha Agency Investigation.
Commissions Jones of the Indian ONO
said today in regard to the charges file
against Agent Mathewson and Trader {
]. o'Connor Of the Omaha and Winnsbas
agency by Mr., e. Rosewater, that b
would take up the matter Immediately an
would report his findings to the secretar
OF the interior. In view Of the fact ths
the president has called upon the s~ecretar
; Of the interior to make a report upon th
charges OF Mr.. Rosewater, 1t is expecte
that the commissioner and the secretar
will reach a conclusion speedily. Con
missioner Jones today confirmed the state
, ment made in The Bee that the report
! Agent McComas recommended the discharf
, OF Haygood and StCyr, but refused to 50
whether or not 1t recommended the removi
OF MRthewson.
Senator Willard had an interview with n
: secretary OF the interior recently over II
4 order issued by the commissioner Of Il
general land ONCE. compelling the occupanI
: OF the public domain to remove their fence
> This order is particularly obnoxious
. large cattle owners in the northwesteI
D half OF Nebraska, and they have been tell
. graphing and petitioning the senator
. have the order rescinded for a time
least. Senator Willard was unable to 8,
cure any concession from the secretary, WI
stated that II was the Law and should |
complied with.
q The senator had gone first to see Con
y missioner Hermann. but received no 81
> c~ouragement from that ofacial. Senator M
. lard wanted Special Agent Lesser. who
In that section. Instructed 10 permit Il
: fences to remain until June, but secretal
Hitchcock refused TO do this.
Prepare TO Tear Down Fences.
q Failing to secure any concession from Il
e secretary. senator Willard has telegraph,
z his friends to be prepared to tear dow
b their fences In May or June, as the depar
ment will probably not insist upon In