New-York tribune., 1908-03-31
FORESTRY SERVICE HIT
GifO PinchOt attacked and Ue-
Tended IN House Debate.

In the House to-day by Messrs Smith OF Cahfornia
and Monden. Of Wyoming. while the agricu'uIai
appropriation bill under consideration. MT
Tnchot was defended by Mr.. Pollard. of Nebraska
and Mr.. Scott. OF Kansas. The bill was unoef
discussion all day and every line relating 10 Tue
Forestry Service fought over. with the result
that many provisions were stricken out
Mr.. Smith denounced the Forestry Service Tor
attempting acouire the Owens River valley IN
California. If he said. Il should state TO the
House the ultimate purpose, the House would De
shocked. II many the service is ooihs
great good. but 1t is working some Out
RACES upon certain interests in the western part
of the country" He was referring, he said 10 'he
manipulation of water rights under the laws OF
California. He charged that Mr.. Pinchot was Try
ing to obtain these water rights for the peheh'
of certain persons against others who made Garner
appropriation Of the water. There was not ne
insisted single element of forestry in the PROPOSE
ton, and II would be sin to give the Forestry
Service the great privilege it sought
Pressed by Mr.. Weeks Of Massachusetts,. TO ex-
plain more in detail his serious charge against
Mr.. Pnchot. Mr. Smith sai6 that the party he re
ferred to as desiring to obtain the water monopoly
the city of Los Angeles He insisted that the
city did not desire the water, 1T has not claimed
the water. and it has not asserted any intention
of using the water for municipal purposes. The
city already he said. had perfect water system
and simply desired ito sweep in all the water
there and carry it out of the valley $50 miles
through twenty miles of mountain tunnels, for the
irrigation of land adjacent to Los Angeles
While the debate was going on Mr.. Pollard went
to the telephone and had talk with Mr. P1nchot.
When he returned he declared that Mr.. Pinchot
had said entire California delegation, in
Guiding Mr.. Smith, had gone to the department
and requested and almost demanded that this
reserve be created for the purpose of furnishing
a water supply to Los Angeles" and that the city
entirely dependent this supply. Now.
he charged. Mr.. Smith comes here and tries to
show that the department is trying to create a
monopoly" The policy of the department Mr.
Pollard declared was to prevent monopolles rather
than to create them.
Mr.. Smith denied that Mr. Pinchot's statement
was true He asked the House to call on his col
leagues to bear him out Il never did" said Mr.
Kahn. Il didn't" said Mr. Knowland; nor did
L. remarked Mr.. Needham. nor t. added Mr..
Englebright. Mr.. Smith said he would hunt up
the rest of the delegation and get them to deny
Mr.. Pinchot's statement.
There more criticism of Mr.. Pinchot when
Mr.. Monden offered amendment providing that
the money for transportation travel expenses
of forest officers agents shall not be paid unless
the officials travel on business directly connected
with the forest service. Mr. Mondell charged that
such officers and agents last year had attended a
convention in Denver. with which the government
hau nothing 10 do and that their expenses iIad
been paid out of the federal treasury. He knew
he said. it not safe to attack the forestry bu-
reau, because OF the influence 1t had over the
country That influence" he declared is used
such extent that mems motives are bound
" -
tackled In the newspapers and in the cheap peri
o6icals Of the country every time they presume
to suggest that this service is not entirely
free from criticism"
Mr.. Scott protested that Mr.. Monde was mis-
taken in saying government money had been i'm
properly used but In reply Mr.. Mondel declared
there had been false entries in the forestry
Office books in order to cover the expenditures
The amendment was adopted, and Its adoption
served to make Mr.. Mondell aggressive. He
CGad he =
publicity department. and offered an amendment
prohibiting the of part of the appropriation
pay for any newspaper or magazine article ad-
vertisng the bureaus work
Mr.. Scott ag1n the defence of Mr..
Pnchot and read letter from him justifying the
news items on the ground that they were necessary
TO convert scientific knowledge into common knowl-
eose. that the periodical press was the best
means OF distributing the information to the people
The amendment adopted.
On points of order the following provisions were
stricken out:
Authorizing the Secretary OF Agriculture to d.
vide and designate for administrative purposes
lands reserved for national forests: making ir-
revocable for fifty years permits for power pants
within national forests: authorizing the Secretary
os Agriculture accept lands for forest purposes
or to exchange lands for stumpaEe in the national
forests: covering into the Treasury and creating
special fund for the administration, protecton
and improvement OF the forest service Of all money
received as contributions toward cooperative work.
and authorizing advances of money TO cheis OF
field parties for fighting forest fires
Mr. Williams. the minority leader opposed a
motion by Mr. Scott lay the bill aside. and
forced a vote by tellers. The motion carried o'
to
Mr Williams hlibustered again OH a motion TO
adjourn BY a vote of 60 TO "A strict party vote
the House agreed to adjourn but the Democrats
under Mr. Williams's leadership. forced rollcali
OF the question thereby making good his threat Of
require such call on every arhfnttlNe
vote until certain legislation IS enacted nile the
rcll was being called members poured into the
chamber in such numbers that it soon took on an
opening day appearance. Speaker cannon dls-
pIsvea anger when the Democrats rose in sufh-
o,.n+ numbers TO order the call He brought his
gavel down with such force that II flew from his
hand and he threw himself back in his chair 10
await the close of the tedious procedure
The vote resulted: Ayes, 108: noes "; ana tlie
House accordingly adjourned