The free lance. (Fredericksburg, Va.) 1885-1926, 1910-01-18
Chairman of Committee
Won't Back His Bills.
SEEK ANOTHER SPONSOR
Congressman Mondell Refuses to
Stand For Presidents Conserva-
ton Measures Insurgents
to Attend Caucus.


tive Mondell. Of Wyoming, chairman
OF the house committee on public
lands. has declined to stand sponsor
for President Talt's bills designed to
carry out his program for conserya'
tion of natural resources.
He offered to introduce the measure
"by request" but the proffer was de
clincd.
Mr.. Mondell's action has caused as
torlshment in administration circles
more especially as It was grayely an
ncunced that the president had
brought about peace with the insur-
gents BY telling them they could make
all the war they pleased on Speaker
Cannon. provided they gave support
to the administration measures.
Mr.. Mondell is representative-at'
large from Wyoming. He has engaged
in stock raising mining and railway
construction and served as assistant
commissioner Of the general land Of
fec from 1897 to 1899. He Is now
serving his seventh term in congress.
The administration bills were sent
to Mr.. Monde'l from the White House
to be presented in connection with the
message OF the president. which was
read in the house Friday. They in
cluded measures for the temporary
withdrawal OF lands for the classifca'
ton Of lands. prescribing methods for
the disposal Of classified lands by
leasing and for the disposal OF OIL gas
and phosphate lands.
As to all the subjects Mr. Mon
dcns view of legislation that IS need
ed differed so radically from that en-
tertained by the president that he told
his friends he would not be justified
In presenting the bills in manner de-
sigred to give them his endorsement
But. because he was chairman OF the
committee on public lands, he felt
that he could not decline to Introduce
the bills. and so suggested that he
should present them as having been
introduced by request
When NJ. Mondel's suggestion was
communicated 10 the White House
word was received that it was not sat
lsfactory 10 the administration.
The president Is said to have decid.
ed 10 seek another member OF the
committee on public lands to stand
sponsor for the proposed legislation
Request bills" have way Of getting
los in committees. and such an en-
dorsement IS regarded as equivalent to
congressional dlsapproyal.
insurgents to Attend Caucus.
Representative Dwight. the Republi-
can whip OF the house said an agree
ment had been reached between the
regulars and insurgents whereby the
latter would attend the party caucus
on selection of the Ballinger Pinchot
investigating committee, and would
abide by the result.
When Representative Hayes. Of Cal
ifornla. one Of The leaders Of the in
srrecnts. WIS notified OF Mr Dwight's
statement. he dc1iel tina, any agree
ment hal been reached. Later the fol-
lowing statement vas given out by
President Tat:
"It has been agreed between the
regular Republicans and the socalled
insur -ants. rep esented by Mr.. Dwight
on the one hand and Mr. Hayes on the
other. after conferences with the pres
ident that caucus should be held to
pass upon the question Of the commit
tee in the interior department investi-
CATION. with the assurance that the
insurgents. If they came into the cau-
Gus. will be treated fairly and that a
committee of acknowledged Impair
TALLY would be appointed.
"a further agreement was fore
shadowed that caucusos should be held
from time to tine to which all elected
as Republicans should be invited to
take up the various measures recon-
mended by the administration as per
formances of party pledges, the sub
icct Of each caucus to be announced
in advance"