Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-11
EXECUTIVE ORDER MODIFIED
A Proposed Bill to Alter the Immigra-
ton Laws.
SENATOR sM00T IS CONFIDENT
Representatives Lacey and Martin
Dealing With Coal Lands.

THE Cleveland administration was repu-
dated politically and several western states
put into the republican column for one
twentieth less cause than what has been
given western people by this admlnlstra-
tion" declared one prominent western con-
gresham. talking on the subject that Is
uppermost in the minds of his constituents
The people are loath to find fault with
the President and that accounts for the
fact that the feeling is not evinced in
stronger form than at present.
1t is stated by number of western con-
gressmen who have seen the President that
there is much feeling against the PROPOSE
ton to lease grazing lands, one congress
man saying that this would put tremen-
dous power in the hands of the govern
ment. giving it the detailed disposition OF
an empire territory. 1t Is declared that
the only persons favoring such leasing
at this time are those who have put FENCES
around government grazing grounds and
realize that If they are not permitted to
lease the grounds they will have to tear
down the fences. The result is that all
persons of that class are hurrying to WASH
ington to appear before committees in favor
of the leasing proposition
One Order to B, Modified.
The Presidents order of January % for
bidding the issue of final certificate, patent
or other evidence of title to public lands
except in certain specified cases was the
subject of an important conference at the
White House today. participated in by
James r. Garfield, commissioner of corpora
tons. who is soon to become Secretary of
the Interior: Clifford Pinchot. chief forester;
Representatives Stevenson and Gronna and
several representatives of the geological
survey The order was issued by the Presi-
dent with view of preventing fraud in the
acquisition of the public lands. Its applica-
ton has resulted In considerable hardship
in a number of cases.
Mr. Stevenson said the President and his
advisers had agreed to add another to the
list of exceptions to his general order, so as
to provide that title may issue in the cases
of all homestead entries upon which final
proof of five years residence has been
made. in accordance with law, against
which at the time of such proof no con-
test or protest charging specific violation
of law has been entered. This modtfca-
ton. however. he said was not entirely
satisfactory to Mr.. Gronna and himself and
another conference will be held tomorrow
five years residence limitation required In
the proposed exception.
The immigration Bill.
The President had a conference this
morning with Representative Bennett of
New York of the House committee on i'm
migration. This committee Is struggling to
lay before the House a bill altering the
immigration laws. and Mr.. Bennett told
the President what had been done to this
time 1t is known that the committee has
agreed upon one provision that is desired
by the President. That Is authority to
appoint a commission to go abroad and
study the immigration question most care
fully reporting to the President at its
earliest convenience, he in turn to submit
the report to Congress. Those who favor
a commission say that Congress has never
been able to secure concise information
on which to base changes in the immigra-
ton laws and that 1t Is not likely to do
anything until it does have such informa-
ton
Senator Smoot is Confident.
Senator Smoot Of Utah visited the Pres
ident today to introduce constituents.
Friends of the Utah senator say that he
Is much pleased with the prospects of the
vote that will be taken on his case Feb
ruary 20 in the Senate. He is absolutely
confident that he will be permitted to re-
tain his seat and that the majority IN his
favor will be considerable. His dignihed
carriage in the Senate has. it Is stated.
made many friends for him among those
who were at first disposed to vote against
him.
through a severe fight in South Dakota
to retain his seat in the Senate. but who
won out called on the President today.
Cannon is the Whole Thing.
Representative Hale of Tennessee told
a good joke to another member of the
House today when they called on the
chief executive. Il had letter a few
days ago." said Mr. Hale, from a con-
stituent. who asked me to forward to him
as quickly kpossible the rules and regu-
lations of congress. By return mail 1
sent him a photo of Joe Cannon. If he
understands the game ike we do here
he will have no trouble in seeing that my
answer is most comprehensive one.
Conference Over Coal Lands.
Representatives Lacey and Martin of the
House committee on public lands conferred
with the President to some extent this
morning about bill that has been prac-
tIcally agreed upon by their committee deal
ing with coal lands owned by the govern
ment The President has favored the leas-
ing OF coal lands with certain restrictions
that would prevent the lands falling into
the hands of monopolies. The bill that was
shown him today does not make any provis-
ion about leasing. but provides for a contin-
uation of the present coal land laws, sur
rounded by safeguards thar will prevent the
lands falling into the hands If monopolies.
The proposed bill. 1t Is under TODD, attains
the end the President has recommended. but
does II In n different way. The Easing prop
osltion has not SO far struck the members
of the committee the best way of dealing
with the problem. The policy of the Presi-
dent on the public land question generally.
especially In the withdrawal from entry of
certain lands and the holding up of cases In
h.. Lar hnh hsar arfl
with. pending Investigation to possible
fraud. has been prolific Of more White
House conferences than any other subject
at this session OF Congress. Nearly every
day the President Is informed by senator's
and representatives from the west that
there is great dissatisfaction throughout
that region with what has been DONE but
that SO far the feeling has been confined to
'cussing" Secretary Hitchcock. The Presi-
dent has been given to understand that the
republicans are liable to lose ground poI.t-