Middletown transcript., 1910-01-29
WASHINGTON LETTER

ls CENATOR Carter Of Montana haI
e - drafted bill to authorize Ghs issuance
b 70 the states of patents for public land
which are chiefly valuable for The devel
q opment of water power. The measure L
! an outgrowth Of the discussions &c The
!. recent conference of Governors held 10
s Washington and is aimed 20 meet ths
B demands Of those who insist that the
states and not the general government
shall assume control Of this phase OF the
, conservation problem. Mr.. Carter 10
one OF the strong men in Congress, au
able debater and an experienced legisla-
tor. Az chairman Of the Committee on
Irrigation be made careful and exhaus-
tive inquiry last year of the public do.
main of the vest and be is regarded as
being we'll equipped TO discuss and defend
his measure to give the states control Of
the development of watsr powers.
The Carter bill differs Fundamentally
from that draftedby tbs Secretary OF che
Interior, with the approval Of che Presi-
dent and introduced by Senator Nelson.
The Nelson bill provides shat the govern.
ment shall retain title 10 aIl power sites
on the public domain, granting only
easemsuts thereon and in such way GO to
prevent their union for purposes Of
monopoly with other sites. The right OF
use is to be limited to iorty years, with
means for determining 9 graduated rem.
tai, and with provision for fixing the
terms Of renewal.
Is is proposed In the Carter bill that
she Federal governments shall give shese
lands outright to the States. which would
thereafter handle and control them for
power development. The bill provides
ALEC that tie states shall never slienate
she fee simple title to the land and shall |
reserve che right to fix the rental rates
based on capacity for power development. /
The state is also 10 regulate the price to
be charged for the electric current gen.
Grated by the water power.
Il is apparent that great legal battle |
will be fought out in Congress before the /
question Of the rights Of she states and |
the federal governments respecting water
power control is finally settled. This
problem has given the National Water.
ways Commission more trouble than all |
she other questions that have arisen be-
fore that Commission. It 10 entirely
possible that some Of the Senators from
the great land stasea OF the far West will
line mp with the Southern Democrats on
this question on the ground that 90 effort
is being made by the general government
to take away rights granted the states in
the Constitution.
as
There are few walters Of RoIla, Missouri,
where Representative Murphy makes his
home. But in Washington, where Mr..
Murphy takes bis meals in She winter
time, the waiter is every much in evil
dsnce. Mr.. Murphy has introduced M
anti-tipping bill, bus his measure 10 NOT
general in its scope. The Missouri Con.
gresham wants to try bis plan 10 the
District of Columbia. Il provides THAI
no waiter shall take q Zip and that no
proprietor shall allow sips 70 be accepted.
The penalty provided Is . tiOs ranging
from $5 20 $50. In view Of the agitation
in the cost Of living Mr.. Murphy thinks
his measure ought 90 prove very popular
among those who have to patrouise
restaurants and hotels.
- II
There are signs Of 3 widespread and
vigorous campaign against che proposed
legislation TO increase she postage rates !
on magazines with view TO wiping up 1
she deficit in she PossOfics Department. Z
Certain magazines have already begun % q
sent ous circulars 10 their advertisers and
denouncing she plan. Al
number OF these circuiaFs have found
their way 20 members Of Congress and . 9
greater number Of letters from conssisu- Q
snts based on these circulars have come Q
20 the Committee on POesohices and Post '
Roads. Hearing on the proposed iegis-
lasion will begin on January 26Eh and is
is expected that number Of che leading
==;;llll seed representatives % % . =
Washington to enter an emphatic protest c
1t shat time.
~ b
Arrangements have been made by Ghe q
War Department for she manoeuvera to Y
be held in various parss Of she country l
during the coming summer. Il is expected '
that Congress will appropriate 81 $50, 600 I
Ior these joint manoeuvers in which she Q
regular forces aud the state militia par 7
iieipate. An allotment will be made OF G
$3.50, GOO for coast defense exercises, 20 be O
held 1t forts along She coast in she neigh. n
Dorhood Of the big cities and In which
limited force Of state militia will partici-
pate. The schedule which has been pre-
pared embracps 4 larger force than has :,
hitherto been engaged in these exercises. :.
The Department is convinced that the J,
yashering together in joint practice Of !;
tate and regular soldiers works . great !,
,enefit TO both classes ofsoldieFs. \;
:.
Senator Root has accepted an appoint- =.
nent TO represent abe United States 40 i
pecial counsel at the highly important :
arbitration proceeding which are TO define :,
he meaning Of the provisions Of the j,
reaty Of 1918 With regard TO chs New. 4,
oundland fisheries. He took upon him
elf this onerous and exacsinR duty n she :,
Urgent request Of President Tafe and II
secretary Knox who are convinced that n
,ecanse OF the important pars played BY 4,
dr. Root as Secretary Of State in the dc
Iegosiations preliminary 70 the arbitra. =
ion, IL would bs impossible to secure -
more competent counsel. i,
Teach Use Of Toothbsash foI
a -