Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1907-03-06
NO CHANGES IN
The LAND LAWS
A Lack Of Time Prevented
Congress Making Amy
Notifications

congress. There were other factors
to be reckoned with, it is true, but
the principal obstacle was the lack of
time for the consideration of bills on
this general subject.
Had 1t been long instead of a
short session something would have
been accomplished along the lines in
Dictated by the president in his var
ious messages to congress but land
legislation was allowed to drag from
| the very beginning of the session, and
the remaining few days were not am
pie to frame and agree upon bills of
such vast Importance.
Before there can be satisfactory
! reform of the land laws the complexion
of the house committee on public
lands will have to be changed. AS
now constituted that committee is not
In harmony with the president.
Not Strong Committee.
It is not a strong committee from
any standpoint and is wholly incom-
petent to deal with such a vast sub
ject. The president is fully aware OF
this ana has had talks with Speaker
Cannon ana other house leaders, with
the probable result that when the new
house of representatives Is organized
next December, the public committee
will be readtusted in a way that viii
increase It's efficiency. and secure act
ION on legislation that is demanded by
~" people of the entire west.
But there were other obstacles IN
the way of land legislation during the
session.
A number Of western senator's do
not concur in the views Of the presi-
dent, either in regard to the coal land
laws or the laws permitting the use
and development Of public timber
lands.
These senator's had II IN their pow
err to stifie any bin which Iid not have
their approval,
Has Few Enthusiasts
: The cause OF land law reform has
suffered to great extent because of
the fact that there are few men in
CONGRESS- who ARE enthusiastic over
the subject. There are some who viii
toin the president whenever the time
comes for action. but there are not
many who are sufficiently in sympathy
with the reform to take the initiative
and push through bills that will so
modify the laws as to reduce the on
portunities for graft.
One great difficulty about reforming
the land laws is to arrive at a common
conclusion as to iust what sort Of
legislation will best serve the purpose
sought by the president. Not manv
senator's and not many representatives
are opposed to reforming the land
laws because of any desire to permit
the continuation of graft. IT NAV be
that few are endeavoring to protect
in quiet way Interests" which have
been enabled to enrich themselves un-
der the existing laws but in the main
that is not the motive that has blocked
action. 1t is rather the failure of the
western men to compromise their con-
1ictine views.
Hitchcock was Not Popular.
It cannot be denied that Secretary
Hitchcock was an obstacle in the path
of land law reform. There was never
cabinet officer more unpopular with
than the Just retired secre-
AIRY of the interior, and time ana again
has aegislated contrary to
his recommendations largely because,
Ills enemies have had the power TO
hwart his plans.
The secretary was a pronounced ad-
'ocate of the most radical reform in
he land laws, and has lost no onnor-
unity to place obstacles in the wav
4 all kinds Of entrymen who have
ought to obtain title to parts Of the
'ublic domain during the past two or
hree years.
lacking in discrimination the for
ner secretary. in order to catch a
ew thieves. Inundated thousands Of
onest men. and these insults when
eoorted to the senator's and congress-
len, but added fuel to the flames ana
iade the enemies OF The secretary the
lore determined to block his plans.
Plans of Secretary Garfield.
When the next congress assemblies
'ere win be new secretary of the .
lterior a man who has not aroused Z
he enmity Of congress. and yet a man I
no viii be an enthusiastic advocate H
land law reform. Ii
This very fact win aid materially II