The Leavenworth echo. [volume] (Leavenworth, Wash.) 1904-current, 1909-12-24
NEWS FROM THE
NATIONAL CAPITAL
DOINGS OF CONGRESS AND
ITEMS OF INTEREST.
MONEY TO PAY SETTLERS
Actual Work Performed on Irriga-
ton Projects Will Be Fully
Compensated.
MONEY TO PAY SETTLERS

is making arrangements to reimburse
In cash all settlers who performed
work on federal irrigation projects,
but who have not yet been compen-
stated by the government for their
labor. The long-pending controversy
over the redemption of water-users'
certificates is about to be adjusted,
without resort to further legislation.
or furnished materials, and who has
been unable to procure settlement
of his account, will be recompensed,
dollar for dollar, and that in the
very near future For the directors
of the reclamation service has de-
clared there is ample money in the
reclamation fund to discharge this
indebtedness
Develop Alaska Coal Lands.
Senators and representatives from
the Pacific Coast states will under
take, during the session of congress,
to frame and pass some practical
law which will permit the entry and
development of government coal
lands in Alaska.
Until the Cunningham entries were
brought into the limelight, little at
tention had been paid to Alaska's
coal possibilities. 1t was known in
general way that coal was there,
but it was never known that the best
coal on the Pacific Coast, and the
only American coal on the coast
adapted to naval use, is stored away
In the mountains of Alaska
Charges Corruption of Press.
Charges of corruption against
members of congress and of the sub
sidizing of newspapers for and
against ship subsidy which have
been made in various American
newspapers and periodicals, are re-
counted in a resolution introduced
in the house by Representative Har-
dy, of Texas, who demands a con-
gressiona1 investigation.
He asks that a committee of two
Democrats and four Republicans,
three opposed to ship subsidies and
three favoring it, be named to learn
to what extent money has been
spent by those favoring and oppos-
ing ship subsidy, and to what ex-
tent newspaper writers and lobbyists
may have been hired"
Change Inauguration Date.
The oft-discussed proposal to
change the date of Inauguration of
the president of the United States
from March 4 to later date was
before the house committee on cleo
ton of president, vice-president and
members of congress. 1t was pre-
sented in the shape of constitu-
tional amendment offered by Mr.
Gaines, of West Virginia, at the
special session. The last Thursday
in April is proposed in place Of
March a. The sentiment of nearly
all the committee is said to favor
a change in the date.
Favor Homestead Exchange.
The senate public lands commit
tee discussed the bill giving to the
secretary of the interior the right
to accept accomplishments of indi-
vidual homestead entries on lands
inside forest reserves and to permit
such relinquishers to take home
steads elsewhere. The committee
took no action, but seems favorable
TO such legislation, if it is restricted
to individual settlers and not extend
ed to railroads or other corporations.
1t is not proposed to cancel the
law repeating the lieu selection act,
however
Minor Notes.
Wearied by pressure from political
influences for the reinstatement of
cadets dismissed from West Point
IIlllldIy dCduCiliy iOi hoNih8J thS
senate committee on military affairs
will investigate the whole subject Of
hazing at the academy.
Senator Foster has introduced a
Joint resolution authorizing the war
department to return to the state of
Louisiana the original ordinance of
secession adopted by the people Of
that state If favorable action is
taken upon the subject of Louisiana,
it is expected that other states which
seeded prior to the Civil war will
request similar returns.
Senators Jones and Piles will take
no action looking to selection of a
new United States attorney and mar
shall for the eastern district of Wash
ington until after the holiday recess
Appropriation of $l50000 for tho
construction and repair of wagon
roads in Alaska has been inserted
in the army appropriation bill