The Washington herald., 1908-03-13

purchase some adjoining tract from the
government He stated that these tracts
were OF no use TO the government and he
was perfectly willing to pay the price which
the War Department would deem proper
under all the circumstances. Thereupon. the
committee referred the bill 20 the War
Department and IN due time the bill
was returned with its approval and this
explains the enactment OF the first sec
ton TO which reference IS made.
In February. 1907. Mr.. Bieber again
appeared before the committee and asked
for additional legislation which would
enable him to purchase still another tract
from the government. In his statement
before the subcommittee he made IL
plain that he had either to purchase more
land or have the War Department au-
thOrized to repurchase that part which had
been sold 10 him by the government.
He also stated that he had made an
expenditure OF money amounting 10 about
$. 900 which would be absolutely lost IN
less he could secure this additional land
Since this contemplated a transaction ex-
actly similar TO the previous one. the com
mittee had every reason 20 believe that
the War Department would approve IT,.
hence the paragraph authorizing the sale
was inserted.
Took Extra PrecautIOn.
However, after the committee had
passed upon the paragraph By a unani-
nous vote took the extra precaution
Of conferriag with several members Of
the committee on appropriations. who
were more or less familiar with the loca-
ton OF these lands. and upon their sug-
gestion the paragraph was altered in
some minor details IN order 20 still better
safeguard the interests Of the govern
ment- No objection was heard from the
War Department, even after the passage
Of the bill by the House. and no objec-
tion was raised in the other house when
the bill was considered section by sec
tion.
while the members Of the committee
did not have time during the preparation
OF their large bills TO visit the location OF
these lands, I was satisfied and so were
they. that since the whole matter was
left TO the War Department and even the
price was 10 be fixed by that department.
Congress would be on absolutely safe
ground in enacting the legislation. We
felt that the legislation authorized was
nothing more nor less than a legitimate
sale OF unused lands belonging 10 the
government and a legitimate purchase Of
them By citizen on such terms as the
agents OF the government themselves
would deem proper
Left Discretion 10 Department.
Though the terms Of the paragraph
not only authorized. but directed. the
Secretary Of War 70 sell and convey these
lands. which. by the way. is the usual
term employed IN legislation Of this char
acter. II should be remembered that this
still left the War Department full dis
cretion. for the reason that II from any
cause the sale should be deemed mad
visable the department could place such
value and FIX such a price upon the
lands that the prospective purchasers
would refuse 10 take advantage OF the
provision Of the law in question.
With these considerations IN mind the
committee had no misgiving whatever
regarding the enactment OF the legisIa-
tiOn. and I was ready 10 defend Il on the
floor OF the House.
This. I hope. viii satisfy the members
Of the House that the committee of which
I have the honor 10 be member has
acted in perfect good faith in this mat
ter and performed its duties in this par
ticular instance TO the best OF its ability