The Birmingham age-herald., 1904-03-26
TRYING ID FORM
 LAND MONOPOLY Railroads Lobbying for Repeal
 of Land Laws BIG HOLDERS ARE ACTIVE If Act Is Repealed They Feel That the Demand for Their Property
 Will Be Greatly In-
 creased.
BIG HOLDERS ARE ACTIVE

Washington, March 25-Senator Hans brough charged in the senate today that the movement to secure the repeal of the desert land land the timber and stone law, and the communication clause of the home stead act were due to the efforts of q lobby composed mainly of the holders of lands bought in large tracts and railroad companies who desire thereby to increase the demand for their property. Senator Dubois intimated that the pressure for re- peal was due to large holdings of forest lien lands by the railroads. Senator Gib- son yesterday advocated the repeal of the laws in question. Senators Hans brough and Dubois eontended that the re- peal would be unwise. Senator Newlands favored notifications of the law During the day former Vice President Morton appeared on the floor of the sem ate' where he was warmly greeted
 Wants More Information.
 MT. Hoar offered the following resolu- ton, winch was adopted
 That the committee on rules be direct ed to consider the report whether any amendment be desirable in the senate rules relative to impeachments and especi- ally whether the rules may properly and lawfully provide for taking testimony In such cases by a committee In aceor- dance with the practice of the English house of Lords in such cases questions of the admission of material testimony and the final argument being reserved for the full senate"
 Mr. Hansbrough spoke in reply to the Snpgch of Ar the bill providing for the repeal of the desert land and other laws for the dspo- sal of public land. He intimated there was an uterior motive for the repeal of these laws. saying there was in Washing ton an organization preparing the way Tor the repeal of the desert land. timber ana stone and communication laws, and speaking of this organization he said:
 am satisfied that it Is the purpose of this organization to enhance the value of private holdings in scrip and land" lie said in this connection he made no charge that any senator or member of the house of representatives was interested In any such organization He added that one of the individuals connected with this organization has been receiving q princey salary from one of the land grant rail- roads for the past six years.
 Great Syndicate Interested.
 'I find upon Investigation" he went on that a great syndicate has recently pur- chased at the price of 70 cents an acre a large body of land from the Union Pacific Railroad company, and the managers Of that syndicate have been here in Wash ington conferring with officials to secure the repeal of laws In question"
 Mir. Newlands expressed the hope that the land laws might be materially modi- fled Monopoly of land, asserted MT. New lands, had been the cause of most of the series of European wars. He said concen- traton of lands in California had inter- fered with the proper development of the state.
 Mir. Dubois said that the charges of fraud in the public land states were a sweeping indictment of the admins tration of the land laws and that he for one resented them The only legiti- mate complaint to be made against the execution of the land laws at present was in connection with the use of forests Hen scrip, most of which he said was sold by railroad companies.
 large number of private pension bills was passed. and after a brief executive session the senate at 5:32 D. m adjourned.