New-York tribune., 1902-01-22
PROCEEDINGS IN THE HOUSE.
IRRIGATION AND THE PHILIPPINE CUES
TON DISCUSSED.


WASHINGTON Jan AIN the absence of other
pressing business the House managers are allowing
the widest latitude in the debate the Urgent
Deficiency bill The irrigation of arid lands in the
West and the advisability of retaining control OF
the Philippines the chief topics under discus
sion to-day.
Mr.. Sibley of Pennsylvania spoke in opposition
to the government entering at this time
scheme for the irrigation of arid lands. He said
every one who had witnessed the tests knew the
wonderful productive results of irrigation. but he
believed the whole question was for another genera
ton. Members representing agricultural
stituency should oppose measure which involved
the expenditure of untold millions to be taken by
taxation from all He spoks of the decline in value
of farm lands In Eastern. Middle and Southern
States, and said this a proposition to open up
hundreds of millions OF more to be In COM
petition with these farms. Let us wait, said Mr..
Sibley. until increased population shall
pand that these lands shall be needed to meet the
demand tor greater food supply To my mind, II
we undertake the present accomplishment of irriga
ton we shall be pressing poisoned chalce to
the lips of the farming classes In this nation.
which. II it does not kill them, will least leave
them for another generation in torpor misery"
Mr. Newlands of Nevada, earnest advocate of
Irrigation, replied TO Mr.. Sibley. He explained
the provisions of the bill which it proposed to
present to the House. to show that it would not
create charge on the public treasury. but would
lands for the work of reclamation He argued that
the irrigation or arlu lands would not constitute a
threat against the farmers of the older States
While there were six hundred million acres Of arid
land in the West he said. there
enough TO reclaim more than seventy million
twice large Iowa-and genera tions
would be required to bring all these lands under
irrigation.
Mr., Mondell. of Wyoming. also defended the re-
Gently formulated irrigation bill
Mr.. Kern. OF illinois, spoke in opposition to the
administra Philippine policy
Mr. Gaines OF Tennessee. opposed the ite-n in the
bill providing for the establishment OF a military
post a Manila, and denounced the Administrations
policy in the Philippines Mr.. Gaines declared that
while in the Philippines he learned absolutely that
the Americans promised independence to the Fill
pinos
Mr.. Kahn OF California challenged him TO pro-
duce the name of single Filipino who gave him
such information.
Mr.. Gaines said that the information had been
given to him in confidence and that II he were to
divulge the names OF those who had given IL to
him they would lose their heads This reply elected
jeers from the Republican side.
Mr. Dinsmore. OF Arkansas also spoke in opposi-
tion TO the administrations Philippine policy. He
said that should not turn backs upon the
glorious traditions OF the past and enter upon
colonial policy.
After some further discussion by Mr.. Vandiver
OF Missouri. and Mr.. Greene. OF Pennsylvania,
without closing the general debate. the committee
rose. and at $40 p. m the House adjourned.