The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1909-01-27
Anti-Japanese Legislation in
California Postponed
Out OF Consideration for the
Presidents Wishes.
OKLAHOMA STATUTE
Is Recommended by the Cover
nor OF That State.
The Administration Is Opposed
to Any Sort of Action.


Sacramento. Cal, Jan. 27.-On motion
of Assemblyman A. NJ. Drew, author of
the anti-alien bill, action on all anti
japanese bills was postponed for one
week, when the measures came up as
special order of business today.
Mr.. Drew has held a conference
with Governor GiIlett and will amend
his measure to conform to the wishes
of the federal government.
Drew received the following letter
from the governor yesterdays
My Dear Mr.. Drew: Your note re-
ceived. Am inclined to think that the
best possible law that can be passed on
question of alien ownership of land
would be the law adopted by Oklaho-
ma You will find it in the session
laws of the state of Oklahoma, 1907
and 1908 The book is on file in the
state library The act is on page 4S1-
Il would strike out the first line.
the words who is not a citizen of the
United States because that is useless
as no alien is a citizen of the United
States.
ITO this bill might be added the
last section of your bill, extending
the time in which leases can be given
SO many years on agricultural prop.
erty and 50 many years on city prop
erty. 1 think one year is rather short,
and inasmuch as this would apply to
aliens alike 1 would be reasonable as
to the length Of time for which leases
should be granted.
I am also of the opinion that Pres
ident Roosevelt and Secretary Root
will agree that this bill would be all
right-in fact 1 have kilograms from
them which would indicate such to be
the fact OF course the question
whether or not it would be policy to
pass an alien law in this state is
omething that the legislature would
have to consider, but if such a bill is
to pass as I say, am inclined to be-
lieve that one like the Oklahoma law
probab would be best.
"Yours truly.
81. N GILLETT'
Depew's Reply.
Mr.. Drew's reply was as follows:
Il am strictly in accord with the
changes you suggest The words who
is not a citizen of the United States
are superfuous, and could have been
easily left off. but they are found in
both the Illinois and Oklahoma laws
am glad the president takes the view
of the matter that he does and you
may rest assured that I shall work in
harmony with yourself. However,
deem it advisable that some law should
be enacted at this session of the legis-
lature. I think it will be wisdom on
our part to take this step and surely
our neighbor Japanese can not COM
plain so long as the bill is applicable to
all aliens alike. will submit to you a
draft of the amended bill as soon as L
can get it in shape.
Yours very truly, A. NJ DREW
The aSseblyman'S request to postpone
action on the bill was made in order
| that he may prepare such amendments
as would be acceptable to President
Roosevelt There was little opposition.
Drew explained that he would amend
his measure to suit President Roosevelt
and Governor Gillett.
Grove l. Johnson. author of the bills
denying japanese the right to belong to
corporation directories and segerating
them into sections, obtained no special
attention aside from brief speech by
Charles Nelson. a labor assembIyman
clared he was opposed to lpostponement
believing the assembly Should go on
| record at once on the question
The Presidents Views.
Washington. jan 27.-President
Roosevelt's second letter to Governor
GiIlett, of California, relating to the
japanese situation, now on its way to
the chief executive of California, will
not be made public at the White
House. the discretion of doing this be-
ing left with the governor. The letter
is understood to advise against leg
islatfon of any kind at this time bear
ing on the Japanese, even if not di-
rectly discriminating against the citi-
ZeIS or Japan AT the same time the
president recognizes the existence of
a sentiment favoring non-discrimin-
atory law, prohibiting aliens from
holding land in the state and it will
be pretty clear from this letter and
from talks that he has had with Cal
| ifornia congressman, including a short
conference today with Senator Flint
that he would not oppose such a law.
He does not want it understood
however. that he encourages or de-
sires law of this kind, because the
japanese may regard it as being aim
ed at them, although they may accept
| its provisions without reTnonstrance-
The president strongly thinks that it
would be best to take no action pend
| ing the developments of the next two
years as to immigration
Wants No Legislation
Senator Flint understands the pres
fdent's attitude to be one of opposition
to legislation of any sort, but in spite
people to follow the leadership of the
| president whenever ponsible the sena-
tor is convinced that there will be a
/ law of non-ownership of lands by
aliens This will reach the japanese
| directl, although all aliens will be on
practically the same footing and Jap
an could not officially make protest
| Representative Needfam of CaIifor-
mia visited the president today in be-
half of Assem- blyman Drew. the auth
or of the bill pending in the state leg
| fsIature prohibiting alien ownership.
/ Mr. Drew desired to know Just what
the presidents wishes were The pres
ident let it be known that he would
not interfere against a non-discrimin-
atory law if it contained a provision
that would prevent it being in conflict
1 oxiSfin1 treaties rrffh Tanan 0r