The commonwealth. (Greenwood, Miss.) 1896-1923, 1908-04-03
JOHN SHARP WILLIAMS
MAKES GOOD THREAT
And Speaker Cannon Throws Away
Ills Gayel ~ Disgust.

the House of Representatives today. The
provision relating to the forest service
aroused considerable discussion, One Of
the principal points Of contention being
one with reference to prohibition
against conducting forest Investigations
outside OF the jurisdiction Of the United
States. The bill, in that connection,
however, was allowed to remain I'M
changed.
The words stricken ont were replaced,
with limitation, upon the Secretary Of
Agriculture, the matter Of expenses
necessary to protect, administer and
improve the national forest, and reads
as follows
"But no such extension shall be made
except by the purchase Of land or
rights therein found to be necessary for
such protection, administration or i'm
proVement."
On objection by Mr.. Mondell, the
clause authorizing the Secretary of Ag-
riculture to advise and assist owners OF
lands in and adjacent to the national
forests in the proper care of the same,
was stricken out.
That vast tracts OF untimbered land
have been included in forest reserves
was the charge of Mr.. Smith, Arizona,
who criticized such action. This was
admitted by Mr.. Scott, Kansas, but he
said the forestry bureau had given
prompt attention to petitions in protest
and had released over 1000. 900 acres
OF lands so included. The explanation
was not satisfactory to Mr.. Moude'l,
who charged that it had been the rule
of the forestry bureau To secure, "rath-
err extraordinary opinions" from the
Attorney General. He insisted that il
the President had authority to create a
reserve, he had authority to divide one.
Mr.. Smith, speaking of the recommen-
dalton of the President that water
rights should be taxed, denounced him
for It. "The federal government" he
declared, fought to be ashamed of itself
II it undertakes to extort a tax by way
of a right of way over a piece of land
that is not worth one dollar an acre"
On points of order, the following pro-
visions we're stricken out:
Authorizing the Secretary of Agri-
culture to divide and designate for ad-
ministration purposes, lands reserved
for national forests: making %irrevoca-
BILE for fifty years permits for power
plants within national forests; author
izing the Secretary of Agriculture to
accept lands for forest purposes, or to
teexelhapge Lanes for stlmpage in the ma
tional forests covering into the treas
ury and creating a special fund for the
administration protection and the I'M
provement Of the forest service OF all
monies received and contributions to-
ward cooperative work, authorizing
advances of money to chiefs Of field
parties for lighting forest fires.
Mr.. Burleson, Texas, made a plea for
an investigation of the best means OF
preventing the ravages of the mistletoe
and offered an amendment to that effect.
In doing so, brought down upon himself
a lot of good-natured gibes.
as this the mistletoe around which
30 many tender memories cluster?' in
CURED Mr.. Gaines, Tennessee, amid
laughter.
at is" Mr.. Burleson responded.
as the gentleman married CT single?'
asked Mr.. Douglass, Ohio.
"You might know" intercepted Mr..
Gaines, she is married.
"Do you want to abolish the mistletoe
in leap year?" Mr.. Olmstead, Pennsylva-
MIA, wanted to know.
Unable longer to stand these gibes,
Mr.. Burleson, speaking deliberately,
said:
81 understand there are many tender
memories that cluster around this pest"
1t was not, however, he said, a senti-
mental age. ave are practical men,
he declared, "and | am q practical man,
and IL is In the interests Of the forests
Of the country that | offer this amend
ment."
In insisting that unmarried folks
should have an opportunity to say
something" Mr.. Gaines protested We
%hemently against the proposition.
81 am not trying to destroy the mistle.
toe of Tennessee" said Mr.. Burleson,
In favoring the amendment, Mr.. Mon
dell said that we're it adopted, there
would still be enough mistletoe left
"for all proper purposes"
Mr.. Burleson's amendment was lost
80 to 40.
Mr.. Williams ~flihustered against a
motion to adjourn. BY a vote OF 30 to
As. a strict party vote, the House agreed
to adjourn, bnt the Democrats, under
Mr.. Williams leadership, forced a roll
call on the question, thereby making
good his threat Of last W ok tn require
such a call on every Alternative vote
until certain legislation is enacted.
While the roll was being called, mem
bers poured into the chamber In such
numbers that it soon took an opening
day appearance. Speaker Cannon clear
ly displayed anger when Democrats
rose in sufficient numbers to order the
call. He brought his gavel down with
such force that it few from his hand