Omaha daily bee., 1902-04-27
STOCkMEN HAVE A HEARING
Want a Leasing Bill for Nebraska Land if
They Can Secure No More,
OMAHA NORTHERN SECURES MORE TIME
Special Bill which Saves It's Right-Of-
Way Through the Omaha and
WinnebREo Indian Reser-
vRtiOns.
OMAHA NORTHERN SECURES MORE TIM
From a Stan Correspondent.)

CFrom a Stan Correspondent
WASHINGTON, d. c., April 26.-(Special
Telegram. )-Bartlett Richards and the del
egation of stockgrowers from Nebraska
had a hearing before the public lands COM
mittee of the house this morning. Repre-
sentative Mondell, in the absence OF Major
Lacey, presided over the deliberations of
the committee. Mr.. Richards, as In the
case before the subcommittee Of the SEN
ate committee on public lands. was the
principal speaker, and for upwards OF an
hour occupied the floor, Colonel John Z.
Irish, who is the representative OF the Cat
tie Growers association occasionally inter
rupting In order to make more clear Mr..
Richards argument. The members Of the
committee asked a great many questions
during the progress of Mr.. Richards pres
e~ntation Of the case, Acting Chairman
Mondell calling attention to the fact that
there were no mountainous regions in Ne
braska and that in view of the fact that
there was a very large irrigation project
pending before congress, asked Mr.. Rich
ards whether it would not be better to
pass a specific act relative to Nebraska
and the lease of the public domain in that
state than to depend upon congress to pass
a general leasing measure. To this Mr..
Richards replied that since he anne to
Washington the question OF specific legis-
lation for Nebraska had been submitted
to him by the Nebraska delegation and
that he looked with favor upon the meas
ure II no general land leasing law be
enacted. In view of the vast interests
which were represented by himself and his
associates Of the delegation he felt that
some general measure ought to be passed,
but he would be content at this time IL
some special act could be passed which
might be an entering wedge for future leg
islation of a wider scope.
He presented similar petitions to those
submitted to the senate subcommittee and
he had not concluded his argument when
time came for adjournment. 1t was there
fore agreed by the committee that they
would hear other members of the Cattle
Growers association on Monday morning.
Meet Nebraska Delegation.
This afternoon the delegation Of cattle
growers met the senators and representa-
tives from Nebraska in Senator Millard's
committee room, all members being pres
ent with the exception of Mr.. Mercer. The
whole subject of leasing was again gone
over, the stockmen being especially en-
thuslastic over the treatment they had re-
ceived before the committee. which had
accorded them hearings during the past
two days. No definite conclusion was
reached, however. as to future action.
Today Senator Willard made orange
ments to present Mr.. Richards and his
party to the president on Tuesday morn
ing before the meeting of the cabinet, and
it is expected the entire Nebraska delega-
ton will ompan them to the White
House. ...--
The bill granting to the Omaha North
ern Railway company an extension of
three years In which to construct their
road across the Omaha and Winnebago
Indian reservation passed the house to-
day. Representative Robinson secured
unanimous consent for consideration of the
measure and 1t passed without opposition.
The bill passed the senate several weeks
ago and now goes to the president for
signature. The Omaha Northern Railroad
company is a Nebraska institution and
plans to build an air line along the Mis-
souri, river to Omaha. 1t has secured
right of way through the omaha and Win
nebago reservation and has paid the
Indians for the same. 1t could have ex-
tended the time in which 10 complete the
project under what is known as Lacey's
Omnibus extension" bill, but that bill has
been held by the interior department and
by attorneys for the railroad company as
defective because 1t failed to contain a
mortgage clause, and in order that the
Omaha Northern might be safeguarded so
far as this feature is concerned 1t was
thought best to secure this special legisla-
ton. E. P. Reynolds, jr., Of Wymore,
has been actively identified in securing
this legislation. Senators Willard and
Gamble have been interested in the meas
ure in the senate, while Mr.. Mercer and
Mr.. Robinson were looking after its inter-
ests in the house.
Morse in Charge of Branch.
Senator Willard today secured the ad-
vancement OF Harvie Morse, clerk In the
Omaha postofice, as superintendent Of the
branch postofice at Fortieth and Cunning
streets, at $1,000 per year, effective July l.
This promotion is entirely within the civil
service.
Senators Dietrich and Millard today united
in the recommendation Of Frank M. Rath-
bun as register OF the McCook land office,
the term of which expires on May 6, the
same as that OF Receiver ]. A. Piper, who