The Lewiston teller. (Lewiston, Idaho) 1900-1905, 1905-03-17
WORK IN
G. oNcREss
Idaho Has Been Fortunate In Sc.
curing Good Share Of Ap-
proprla ations

WASHINGTON. March 15.- The
past session Of congress. which enacted
but little legislation aside from the ap-
preparation bills. passed a number of
laws of interest to the state of Idaho
and other northwestern states, largely
through the efforts of Representative
French and Senators Hepburn and Du-
bois. Before Representative French
left for home ne roughly stated to the
correspondent the appropriations and
other legislation enacted during the
session of interest to his constituents
and which he contributed materially to
the passage thereof He said:
During the session just closed there
has been an unusual amount Of depart
mental work. pensions. rural FREQ de-
livery routes. land Office. ETC., which
has occupied my time to an unusual
degree. Every communication / have
received upon any of these subjects
has been attended to promptly in the
departments and these matters have
practically. ended.
"The state of Idaho was particularly
fortunate In the appropriations carried
by the river and harbor bill. Provis.
of Clearwater river for barge naviga-
ton. Fifteen thousand dollars is APP
propriated to supplement the $4,000
now on hand for the improvement of
the Snake river between Lewiston and
Pittsburg Landing and Lewiston and
Riparia.
"The most important item on the bill
is an appropriation of 100000, this
provement of the Columbia river at
Cello Falls.
Altogether those rivers have never
before Jared so well at the hands of
| any congress. The improvement OF
these rivers will mean the reduction
of freight rates to the coast by one
half and more.
I'm the house committee on public
lands we postponed indefinitely bills tc
repeal the commutation clause Of the
homestead laws, and the stone and
timber act.
II have worked on my bill to obtair
leave OF absence to homesteaders OF
the Minidoka project, but thus IA
without success. ! shall. however. con
tinue to press the passage of this bill
during the next term.
MY bill for turning into the recla
tion fund money which was derives
from the sale of material etc, used 70
temporary work and purchased by tn
reclamation fund was passed by bot
houses This money heretofore ha
gone into the United States treasury
My bill will mean the turning over G
several thousand dollars every year t
= the reclamation fund.
Il was able I'd have my bill provid
ing for a public building at Mosco
approved by the subcommittee on pub
lie buildings, and a site for this builc
: ing provided by full committee. TT
: omnibus public building bill did M
pass during this session, but We are
good condition ! think to receive
= building as soon as any other place.
An appropriation for the fish hatcl
= cry was also included in the omnib1
!" bill but, failed Of final passage. II h
the approval of the full committee al
l think will pass for Idaho as soon
:. :. for any other state.
- "A bill granting Spokane, Wash.
= international railroad right to build
bridge across the Coeur. d'Alene a
the Pend dAreiile rivers in NoI
Idaho was also passed at this sessi,
v The sum OF 100000 was added
,n the committee oen appropriations |
b. for the survey of public lands by
ig number of representatives from
rs west This was done in the commit
h OF the whole.
or An appropriation of $4,000 was a
en- added to the amount allowed by
he committee for typographical sury
rs The state OF Idaho will benefit gres
by these least two appropriations"