The Ogden standard. [volume] (Ogden City, Utah) 1902-1910, 1909-01-27
SUCGE s 7 ION OF
ROOSEVELT is
Needed
DREW DECIDES TO AMEND HIS
ANTI-JAPANESE BILL.
Action on Same Will BE Postponed
That He May Make Changes Ac-
ceptable to President.

Sacramento, Cal, Jan. 27.-Gover-
nor Gillett has received the following
message from President Roosevelt, re-
Sarding the postponement by the leg
islature Of action upon anti-Japanese
bills:
white House, Washington, D. c..
Jan. 26.-Hon. J. N. Gillett, Governor
of California Sacramento Cal: Will
mall you full letters on legislature to-
morrow. This letter will set forth
why we think that the only bill that
is proper is that relating to the own
ership OF real property by aliens with
the amendments suggested by Secre,
tary Root l most cordially thank
you for your attitude and for the SER
Vice you are thereby rendering. not
only to California, but ito the entire
Union.
THEODORE ROOSEVELT"
The alien bill referred to Is the-cns
introduced by A. n. Drew, of Fresno.
prohibiting aliens not eligible to oiti-
zenship from owning land in the state.
When the A. NJ. Drew bill prohibit
ing aliens holding land was called up
for consideration in the assembly to-
day, its author asked that it be put
over.
Mr. Drew has held a conference with
Governor Gillett and will amend his
measure TO conform TO the wishes Of
the federal government.
Drew received the following letter
from the governor yesterday:
"My Dear Mr.. Drew: Your note re-
ceived. | am inclined to think that
the best possible law that can be pass
ed on the question of alien ownership
OF land, would be the law adopted by
oklahoma You will find 1t in the ses-
sion laws of the State of Oklahoma
1907 and 1905 The book Is on file in
the state library. The act Is on page
4Si.
~ would strike out the first line, the
words Who is not citizen OF the
United States,' because that is use
less. as no alien is a citizen of tho
United States.
Then | notice the second line OF
section 8, instead of having devise,
the word Is device ] suppose this
must be a Typographical error. To
this bill might be added the last Sec
ton of your bill, extending the time
in which leases can be given-so
Inany years on agricultural property
and 80 many years on city property.
think one yearfis is rather short, mas
much as this would apply to all aliens
alike. / would be reasonable as to
the length of time for which leases
should be granted.
81 am also of the opinion that Pres
ident Roosevelt and Secretary Root
would agree that this bill would be all
light-iIl fact l have kilograms from
them which would indicate such to be
the faGt. OF course the question
whether or not II would be policy to
pass an allen law in this state is
something that the legislature would
have t5 consider. but il such u bill Is
to pass, as l say, l am inclined TO
Delievd that one like the Oklahoma
law probably would be the best
Yours very truly,
JOHN GILLETT."
Mr. Drew's reply was as follows:
"I am strictly in accord with the
changes you suggest. The words
'Whoj is not citizen of the United
States.' are surplusage and could cas-
lily have been left out, but they are
found in both the Illinois and Okla
homa laws. l am glad the President
takes the view Of the matter that he
does land YOU may rest assured that l
shall work in harmony with yourself
However. / deem 1t advisable Elat
somd law should be enacted at this
session OF the legislature, thing it
VIII lie wisdom on our part to take this
step hnd surely our neighbor Japan
cannot complain so long as the bill is
applicable to all aliens alike. will
submit TO yon a draft of the amended
bill as Soon as I can get it in shape.
yours very truly,
"A. NJ. DREW
The assembIymans request TO post
lone action on tho bill was made In
order that he may prepare such amend
,n.,a "a l. ,,.o,,Id l~o arcanf h1a IN Pros