New-York tribune., 1902-05-23
TWO IMPORTANT MEASURES TO HAVE A
FAVORABLE PARLIAMENTARY 70
SITION IN THE HOUSE
tpY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBUNE. ]

Washington. MAY 1.-Two measures Of I'm
portance which, IT was generally thought at the
beginning OF this session Of Congress would not
get much show. secured a favorahle parliamentary
position to-day through the action OF the House
Committee Rules in reporting a rule for the
consideration az an early date OF the Irrigation
bill and the Pacific Gable bill In his annual
message the President strongly recommended ia
vorable action on both Of these subjects but II
feared until to-day that the pressure OF other
important matters for attention this session
would preclude the consideration of these two
The Western members of both houses have been
pushing the irrigation question with all their
vigor. and under the leadership Of Messrs Dubois
and Hansbrough in the Senate and Messrs Mon
dell and Newlands. in the House they now seem
in fair way of achieving their long cherished
object The Irrigation bill has already passed the
Senate, and 1t is now thought that with proper
attention 1t will set through the House. II pro-
vides for the creation OF irrigation fund by
the sale of public lands in the West the money
derived from the sale IN each State be set aside
for the construction OF reservoirs and the other
necessary adjuncts of an irrigation system or the
reclamation OF arid and sem-arid lands IN the
States in which land so disposed OF Is situated
The money is to be turned over to these States
and the work is to be done under State and NOT
federal supervision.
The rule reported for the consideration of the
Pacific Cable Dill is generally regarded as adverse
TO the plan of the opposition TO the Mackav syn
dicate. which already has begun laying a cable
from San Francisco to Honolulu from which
point 1t will be extended to the Philippines This
bill simply confers upon the President special
power to authorize the landing Of cables upon
the territory of the United States and thus dis
poses OF the only obstacle heretofore in fhe wav
of the enterprise started by John w Mackay and
his associates. 1t is understood that the Western
Union Telegraph Company. which has been fight
ing the Mackay scheme. will have the same
rights TO lay cable across the Pacific as the
Mackay company will have when the hill he
comes a law though it is not known whether the
Western Union people will care to avail them
selves of the opportunity under such competitive
conditions
No time was set for the consideration of the Cable
Dill. as 1t will take its place the foot of special
orders, which take precedence by reason of nre
V1ous report. Messrs. Richardson and lTnderwood
the Democratic members of the committee on
posed the rule for the that the Democrats
eign Commerce Were opposed 10 the bill The rule
when presented, will provide that amendments are
germane TO the bill, which will throw the entire
subject Of an international cable into the House
for consideration. 1t is expected that the bill will
be called the last part of next week previous spe-
cial orders having the right o way
Three days Will be given TO the Consideration of
the Newlands Irrigation bill two days for general
debate and one day under the five minute rule
The committee was unanimous in bringing in the
rule and in the length of time the Irrigation hiI
should be considered 1t is expected that the Jrri
gauon Dill Will be reached the first week