Omaha daily bee., 1909-02-12
INDIANS CAN DRAIN LANDS
Bill Passes Both Houses and Goes to
the President.
NEW RULING ON WATER RIGHT!
Senator Burkett Making an Effort to
Secure Denatured Alcohol
StiIl at the Nebraska
University Farm.
(From a staff CorresnondentN

| WASHINGTON. Feb. 1l.-(special Tele-
| gram. )-Senator Brown engineered through
| the senate today the house bill enabling the
Omaha and Winnebago Indians to protect
| from overflow their tribal and allotted
| lands located within the boundaries of any
drainage district in Nebraska. This bill
passed the house February and now goes
to the president for approval
Ruling on Water Question.
The secretary of the interior has just de-
clded question of some Importance to
water users on projects under the reclama-
tion act. 1t deals with a situation arising
during the pendancy of proceedings for can
collation. of entry and water right ap-
plcation on account of failure to make two
| payments when due. AS 1t may not always
be possible to conclude these proceedings in
two or three months prior to the opening
OF the irrigation land while the matter of
| cancelling an entry and water right appli-
cation is under consideration.
The secretary has just held that II the
water user pays the charges for operation
and maintenance due at the beginning of
the irrigation season water might be fur
nished to him upon the distinct understand
ing. however. that IL his entry and water
| right application should be cancelled before
the end OF the season, his right to the use
he would also forfeit to the United States
| the amount which had been paid for oper-
| alton and maintenance. This will enable the
water user to cultivate his land and per-
haps raise crops while the question OF can
collation. Is pending.
1.-THE same rule would OF course. be an
piled so far as circumstances permit to the
case of lands in private ownership.
Denatured stiI1 at Lincoln.
Senator Burkett toaday gave notice of
an amendment to the agricultural appro-
priation bill when the measure reaches the
senate providing an appropriation of 1900
for the establishment of a denatured alco-
hol distillery on ground to be furnished by
the agricultural experiment station at Lin
coin.
Senator Burkett in speaking of his pro-
posed amendment said that he had con-
ferred with Secretary Wilson and other
officials of the Agricultural department
and all favor and recommend it's passage
The senator further said that as Nebraska
Is long on hogs, corn, wheat and other
cereals, but short on coal, wood and oil.
heating and Illuminating materials, the state
| is an ideal spot for the erection of a de-
natured alcohol STILL having so much raw
material from which denatured alcohol is
experiment station now at Lincoln would
obviate the necessity of the purchase Of
additional ground for a site. It is a central
point and farmers interested can readily
reach the experiment plant and learn the
process through personal observation.
Minor Matters at Capital.
On the recommendation OF CONGRESSMAN
Hubbard, Dr. NJ f. Miller has been ap-
pointed pension examining surgeon at Shell
ton, Ia, vice DR.. N #. Stewart. deceased.
Auditor w. e. Andrews has accepted an
invitation to mako an address at Atlantic
City, n. j., on the occasion of the Lin
coin centenary exercises to be held there
tomorrow night.
George A Meade of Fremont is in Wash
ington renewing old associations.
Miss Marthena Harrison, granddaughter
OF the late ex-President Harrison and of
the late Senator Alvin Saunders of Omaha.
led the cotillion last night at the fashion
able Chevy Chase club given by a party of
dancing bachelors and benedicts.
Mrs. Thomas NJ. Orr, wife of the assist
ant to the vice president OF the Union Pa
clfic railroad, is in Washington on her
way to Omaha after visit to Palm Beach,