New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1902-04-03
WHITE HOUSE CONFERENCE.
IRRIGATION FILL TO BE MODIFIED
FATE Or RIVER AND HARBOR
BILL IN DOUBT.
Try rELEaR,rr TO TIE rRIFrxE.l

Washington. April AT tho instance of Repre-
sentative Moudei who has been active in preparing
the Irrigation bill in the House committee, Presi
Dent Roosevelt called conference this forenoon
with REPRESENTATIVES Tongue. Newlands. Tirren
and Sutherland. Of the irrigation Committee, and
Nessrs. Maxwell and Pinchel One of the objects
Of the conference to secure the Presidents
views I'm regard to the various provisions of the
bin as il passed the Senate several days ago, and
also to adopt some conclusion in regard TO the i'm
portant features Of the bill which would have the
support all it's advocates
on several provisions there vide divergence
Of opinion After the conference it was reported
that it would be necessary 10 change the phrase
olocy Of Section s. relating State and Territorial
control Of the and distribution Of water. An
other matter which may need modification has to
do with Withdraw wal Of lands entry.
desired that the bill shall be worded to give
the benefit of irrigation to bona fde settlers and
prevent opportunity Cor speculation. Speaker Hen
derson promised that the bill shall taken up
in the House" said Mr Mondcll to-day. but no
date has been set. We are hopeful Of early
date. and believe depend upon House
10 for the case properly. All desire is
opportunity to present the bill
Friends of the Irrigation bill are working with
much effect 10 provide against the possibility OF
serious objection when il is reported the House
for consideration. and once before the House they
have hopes Of its passage. There is strong feel
ing here however. that the Irrigation bill will be
defeated this session.
Far sighted leaders OF the House and Senate
indulging in speculation at present about the
for the defeat In the Senate of the River and
Harbor bill which passed the House, carrying
the enormous appropria ton $50 100000 ex-
pended the Improvement Of all OF water
ways I'm various districts OF the country. In the
first place il is said that the bill will be fought
the usual complaint that the distribution of i'm
provements is uneven Members of the commit
tee have striven hard to overcome this difficulty,
hut there still seem TO he numerous places which
are TO be favored In contradstinction TO others
From the geography of the country 1t Will be
seen that there rivers which through as
many as seventeen Congress districts Perhaps the
business along these rivers nearly
so important those along waterways which for "A
given distance may not touch three four
Congress districts yet such the interests
less Importance were able to bring more pressure
to bear v the bill in the House committee,
and consequently secured larger appoTtionment
expenditure than the more important interests.
which, account of geography, had less influential
representation in point of numbers 1t is pointed
out that these have resulted III the pro-
portional improvements planned being unequal and
unsatisfactory. When the bill is taken under m
sderation in the Senate attack will be made
along these lies.
In anticipation of the defeat of the Irrigation
hin n he House, there Is strong belief here
that a number of Senators, in gratifying the
mands their States. will feel compelled 10 tack
ON 10 the River and Iarbor bill amendments pro-
vidiug irrigation schemes If action becomes
necessary the part Of the Senators representing
arid sections Of the country, according 10 well
Informed officials, the fate of the River ana faI
bor bin will undoubtedly be an overwhelming
defeat There a Senators who, like their
sollea CUES in the House, could stretch point
vote for the presen; bill which proposes such
additional appropriation. they would interpose seri-
Z objections.