Heppner gazette. [volume] (Heppner, Morrow County, Or.) 1892-1912, 1910-04-21
OF OUR NATIONAL LAWMAKERS

I Washington, April 16. Presiden
Taft today informed Senator Jone
that he believed the house of represent
atives, before adjournment, woult
pass the $50, 100000 irrigation bill
that is now before the ways and mean'
committee.
The president further said that, in
asmuch as congress has begun to take
an interest in his other conservation
bills, he was now doing everything
within his power to bring about the
final passage Of the $50, 900, 900 bill,
which he regards as one of the most
essential features of his conservation
programme.
Senator Jones conferred with the
president on behalf of the Western
senators to learn the views Of the
president with regard to the proposal
recently made to attach the $50, ,000,-
600 bill to the rivers and harbors bill
as rider.
The president concurred in Jones'
opinion that this move would be mad
visable, as there are men in congress
opposed to both measures, and by com
bining forces they might defeat them.
Moreover, the president said, he be-
lieved it will not be necessary to make
the irrigation bill rider on any other
measure, for assurances he has receiv-
ed convince him the bill will pass upon
its merits. If,through any hitch the
irrigation bill does not pass the house
before the sundry civil bill is reported
to the senate, which will be we'll to-
wards the close of the session, the
president said he would then feel the
senate would be justified in attaching
the $50, 900, 900 bill to the sundry civil
bill, and in that way make sure of its
enactment.
Washington, April 15.-Senator Bur-
ton, who yesterday submitted a minor
ity report opposing the present system
of improving rivers and harbors, spoke
at length today in support of his con-
tentions. He delared that although it
was not necessary but desirable that
should continue to be
by both rail and water, yet the records
would show that railroads were carry
ing the freight of the country and that
the chief value of improved inland
waterways lay in their ability to exer-
else control of rates.
Senators gave respectful attention to
Burton as he talked, but he seemed to |
have made few converts. AS he pro-
ceeded he aroused considerable opposi-
tion and engaged in controversies with
Page, Lorimer, Bailey and others.
Burton declared that the country had
gone wild over the construction of
ocks and dams. He .instanced i'm
of this character on the
Green and the Sandy rivers Of Ken
lucky, contendsng that despite the mil
ions that had been expended on them
here had been falling off in tonnage.
All this meant, he said, that that sort
# transportation is going out of exist
,nce.
THE miners of Alaska had no trou-
,le over their mining claims until the
awyers got there. They had not de-
'eloped the great American hog in
tinct, but settled everything amicably
through their miners associations.
This was the declaration today of
Delegate Wickersham, of Alaska, be-
ore the house committee on terri
ories, which had under consideration
he Alaska legislative bill. The sec
ion of the bill regulating the granting
powers of attorney in stalking claims
yas immediate subject of discussion.
Washington, April 14.-If not in
with the public interest,
resident Taft will tell the house what
acts, if any, existed that would make
expedient for that body to enter up