The San Francisco call., 1909-02-16
Grilling Is Given
to Russell Dunn
POWER COMPANIES
SCHEME is FOILfD
Plan to Have State Fight Bat
ties of Corporations Killed
by Senate Committee
Especial Dispatch 10 The Call

CALL HEADQUARTERS. CHAMBER
OF COMMERCE BUILDING, SACRA-
MENTO, Feb. 15.-After giving Russell
Dunn an unpleasant grilling this after
noon the senate committee on judiciary
sent to its final rest the Birdsall reso-
luton, which would have the state fight
the battles of the big power companies
with the federal government. Dunn,
who. in a charitable spirit, took up the
corporations fight, succeeded in ex-
pressing some opinions criticising Gif-
ford Pinchot, head of the forestry bu-
reau.
The resolution sought to make it in
cumbent on the attorney general to ap-
pear in defense of the power companies
when they were sued by the federal
government for nonpayment of rent for
the privilege of havingAa right of way
over forest reserves.
DUNN ADDRESSES COMMITTEE
Dunn, who made an adverse report
on the Hetch Hetchy project and also
made very generous appraisement of
the Spring Valley plant, appeared be-
fore the committee this afternoon and
consumed about 5 minutes enunciating
reasons why the state should resist en-
lcroachments on it's sovereign power by
federal officials
We'll, now, let us hear your griev-
ance,' interjected Senator Wright. Il
suppose you are representing some spe-
cial interests. Who are they?"
II am only representing myself" re-
piled Dunn. Il am interested in about
$4,000 worth of water rights"
WHY not hire a LAWYER yourself
then, instead of trying to unload this
on the Sstate?" was the comment of
Senator Miller. IF you are that
deeply interested in this matter / i'm
agine you can engage your own attor-
ney This is not any of the states
business, and If you get into trouble
with the federal government it is your
place to settle it. The state has not
got any right to interfere, and its action
would be of no effect if it did interfere.
If you do not want to pay the charges
which the government requires, fight it
out with the government"
SCORES FORESTRY SERVICE
Dunn indulged himself in a few caus-
tic references to Clifford Pinchot and
his administration of the forestry
bureau. He said:
These foresters have arregated a
great deal of power. Why l have been
stopped and questioned by one of these
armed men when on the way to some
mining claims through the forest re-
serve, and these men have also usurped
| the states police power by closing up
saloons when they had no authority"
II would like to have the name of
any member of the forestry service
who attempted to intimidate Mr.. Dunn,
and / will also assure the committee
that the forest supervisors have not
interfered with any saloons which were
not on government land" was the an
swer of E. A. Lane, member of the
forestry service, who appeared before
| the committee on the invitation of
Senator Wright.
Dunn did not furnish any informa-
tion regarding the armed men who
held him up in the forest.
III these power companies do not
want to pay the charge which the gov
ernment demands for a right of way
over the forest lands, let them settle
that. | move that this resolution be
returned to the senate with recon-
mendation that it shall not be adopted" !"
said Senator Miller.
II would like to make a motion to
leave it in committee and forget it,
said Senator Wright.
Miller acceded to this request and
the resolution was put to sleep.