New-York tribune., 1910-05-10

~oa, rsnds. The one with reference TO
coal lands provides that the surface OF
coal lands shall be subject 10 setie-
ment as agricultural lands under the
homestead and pre-emeption laws puI
tliat the coal, beenath the surface shaii
still beong to the government ana De
subject to mining by those TO Whofh tle
sovernmeht may lease it or IN other
methods part with title to it.
There is a bin providing for the classl-
ffcation of lands useful in preventing
fraudulent disposition of them.
There is a bill providing for the eN-
r,ioration of OH lands and fixing the
rights of explorers who discover OIL Ana
then there IS bill providing for inc
granting Of water power sites to the
states, with view to their oiSposItloh
10 rerivate owners by the states. This
bill is a most important one. 1t PROB
ably needs amendment, but the principle
or the bill may work out to a satls-
factory solution. The water IN the
streams is now under the control and
ownership Of the state. The waterpower
sites essential to the establishment OF
waterpower plants belong to The United
States as part Of its public domain. Ii
would be useful to have the two united
IN one sovereign. It is proposed TO DO
this by conveying the waterpower sites
10 the states on two conditions.
The first condition requires the state
retain such control over the waterpower
sites that il may every ten years adjust
the rates at which power is to be fur
.nishe9 to the public by the grantee OF
tho waterpoWer site; and the second con-
dition is that the waterpower sites shall
not be disposed of by the state 10 any
person having 8 monopoly of the water
power in the neighborhood.
Some Measures May Go Over.
The bill provides that upon the failure
of the state to enforce the conditions inn
posed against private owners the United
States may enforce the conditions
against the state and forfeit all the
rights Of the private owner and of the
state and restore the land to the United
States. There ought TO be q specific
provision that the United States may
sue the state for forfeiture, and also
that the Executive shall have the
right TO declare q forfeiture. 1t seems
To me that in this wise the United States
may retain effective control over the
disposition Of the land and at the same
time may enable the Legislature or the
Executive of the state, presumably more
familiar with local conditions. to fix the
details on the ground in accordance with
local< necessity. II is quite possible
however, that these other conservation
bills viii go over to the next session. but
the one ratifying the existing withdraw
in futures.should certainly pass.
There isapsnding also a bill authoriz-
ing the issue Of S30.Q00OO0 Of bonds with
which to continue the construction of
irrigation plants already begun by the
Reclamation Service the bonds 4, be re-
deemed out of the proceeds of the sale
of public lands and the water rent col
iecte0 from those who enjoy the benefit
OF the irrigation. This certainly ough-
10 pass at this session. because the mum
Der OF people depending on the COM
pletion of the reclamation projects is
sufficiently large to call for especial ac.
ton in their behalf.
Discusses Injunction Bills.
Another-aet is the so-caued -iniunc.
tson act-' There are three bills pending
: TO carry o9s-the platform. In different
Jorms they ali provide that an injunction
ISSUED without notice hall not be OF ef.
feet for more than seven days uness
Within that time actual notice is giver
and a hearing had; when. of course th,
court VIII make such order as il Dlay
be advised.
1t further provides that no restrain.
ing order or a preliminary indunctior
snail issue without notice unless +b.
court, upon evidence adduced before if
shaH make finding either on the min.
1tes OF the court or upon the back O,
the injunction order defining what Tn.
irrepsrable injury is which is To he on,
9olned and stating why there was moi
time enough in which to issue notice
Tor hearing with the parties present.
II Is very clear that by these two
provisions the attention of the court
VIII be called 10 the necessity for great
care IN the exercise Of this very pycen.
uonal power TO affect parties to a law
SUIT without giving them notice ana
mat 1ee lA-aGvised issuing of injunc.
fions of this character will cease
The great difficulty i'm respecr IN +ht
matter is that If the bill is report or
from the committee and put uron IFS
passage IN the House there will br 9
movement 10 introduce amendments
~ accord with the recommendations o.
The Federation Of Labor hv which :
iury trial shall he required in contemp-
cases and buycotts shall he made Iegiti.
mate 1t Is feared that II such amend.
--lIlellts- were proposed they might y,as.
: rgId -fh1s- make the bill an obnoyio,,,
----allsl- -aA!sstaes1 a--rariimentary condition
can be created which will prevent tht
submission Of such amendments or no
IS question that ] cannot anticipate.
Stands by Platform Promise.
TT7e- Manufa cturers' Association 4,
opposed to the bin on the alleged
ground that it wealens the power o.
f5e court while the Federation of Labol
IS opposed TO il on the ground that i
does not 20 far enough With thi.
state az the case am reasonably Ger
rsin thar the bill is a just one anc
ought To be put through. I an hopefu
that some way Will be found to vot,
fhrough just the bin promised by IN,
f.latform-nothing more and nothinE
Jess.
Tie postal savings bank bill :.
i,..fa.sfng in the House il having passed
fhe senate II has some features az
amended in the Senate with referenc.
70 the limitation OF the power of tn,
trustees charged with the custody and
management OF thcs funds which sug.
eesi a danger TO the public credit in