The Monte Vista journal., 1908-04-04
AMENDMENTS OF WESTERN MEN,
BERs VOTED DOWN ~
EASTERN MEN.
SERVICE IS ATTACKED
CRITICIZED BY CALIFORNIA, COLO
RADIO, WYOMING AND WASH
iNGToN CONGREssMEN.

newed their fight in the House Tues
day against the forestry service items
in the agricultural appropriation bill
enlargins the administrative scope and
authority of forest officials. but with
out the success which marked Mon
days efforts.
Friends of the service from Eastcrn
and Southern states were on hand auol
voted down practically all propositions
advanced by the Western opponents of
The service.
Messrs. Mondell of Wyoming and
Smith of California continued their at
tacks on the bureau, and in this they
were supported by Messrs Bonynge or
Colorado and Cushman of Washington
These embraced charges that tha
bureau had created timber mOnopolies
in favor of large corporations. illegally
assumed jurisdiction over water rights
belonging to the Western states. and
juggled with figures in order to OBJ
tain large appropriations from Con
gress.
Mr. Bonynge offered an amendment
providing that no part of the money
appropriated for the forest service
should be used in the efforts of the de-
partment to secure control of waters
Of natural streams in reserves. Mr.
Bonynge contcrded that the natural
waters in resen es should remain un-
der control of the states in which they
are situated.
Mr. Bonynge read from n number OF
authorities to show that the govern
ment did not own the waters of non
navigable streams. On the other hand
he declared those waters were the
property of the states, and the govern
ment had no right to make charge
for them.
! This contention was combat,ea by
Mr.. Scott. who said there was nothing
profound or unusual in the PROPOSE
lion" Stripped Of its legal phraseol-
opy the proposition of Mr.. Bonynse. he
said. was TO allow any individual or
corporation 10 use any land OF tho
United States to the exclusion of any
other individual or corporation, with
out money and without price.
The present conduct of the for
cstry service" said Mr. Scott. lin re
auiring a reasonable fee to be charged
when "A corporation carries its works
pN'I ldHu (WHICH lHe
Is only such conduct as every private,
citizen exercises in the management OF
his own business"
Mr.. Bonynge's amendment was de-
fcated.
Mr.. Mondcll was by this time ready
with another attack on the forestry bu-
reau. He charged that in It's admins
tratiOn citizens were in many instances
denied right OF way across forest re
serves.
'Thc proposition is," said he.
whether the states OF Maryland. Vir-
ginia West Virginia, North Carolina.
South Carolina and even the great
state Of New York. are to become fed
eral provinces or remain part OF the
sovereign states. and whether this FOR
cstry bureau shall persist In denying
the citizens the rights granted by Con.
gress."
He offered an amendment providing
that no part Of the appropriation
should he used In such manner as Ia
deprive citizens OF rights Of way for
irrigation canals across reserves. ~"
called attention TO the fact that the
forestry bureau was forcing a large
number Of citizens TO accept rcvocablo'
permits for rights OF way, when they
were entitled under the law TO per-
mancnt easements.
Mr.. Mondell also offered amend.
mcnts cutting on 100000 from the gen.
crnl forestry appropriation and $500.
100 for permanent improvements and
general administration. but these. ms
well ms other amendments offered. wcr.
not adopted.
Mr.. Mondcli said tho committee on
agriculture had been In n reckless state
D. mind when II allowed To The forestry
bureau 100000 more than hnd been
estimated for. He charged that. being
n lump sum. II would be used for any
purpose. Including Advertising
Mr.. Hepburn. with much fcrvor crtti
cised whn: he said were tho chirre
lngs" against economy. As to thc Tor
est service. he charged that the prin
cipal opposition had come from III,
committee on public lands. of whihh,
Mr.. Mondoll wns the head Twelve Of
Its members. he said. were from the
public land states. but he questioned
their right TO control the public domain
of tho United Stntcs.
Mr.. cushmLn tWnshIngfon) made "a
vigorous reply TO Mr.. Hepburn lie hcht
up n map showing thnt tho states In.
volvcd were all located In tho far West.
and said.
II think tho gentleman would not
look with much complaiaancc IN the.
forest service II that service would W,
Into his state and take twelve NJ Or.
cen counties ont of the middle ri lown
and build n federal fence around H."