St. Johns review. (Saint Johns, Or.) 1904-current, 1910-04-01

Washington, March 20. - "While
there has been conservation of natural
resources at the presidential spigot,
there has been enormous waste going
on at the congressional bung," de-
clared Senator Chamberlain, Of Ore
gon, today, speaking on the bill en-
powering the president to withdraw
public lands for forestry sites and other
purposes. Chamberlain favors the
measure, and on IL he delivered his
first set speech.
The bill specifies that the president
may withdraw land for water power
sites, irrigation, forestry reserves,
classification or other public purposes.
In giving his reasons for favoring
the measure, Chamberlain said that
first, the main principle involved, the
right Of the president TO withdraw
portions of the public domain from en-
try, settlement or sale, had been ap-
proved by every department Of the gov
eminent from the earliest days.
The exercise Of power necessary Ia
protect from legislative improvidence
what was left Of the public domain
made the bill advisable, he declared.
He argued that Il was necessary "a
conserve undisposed and inappropriate
ed natural resources and favored the
bill az the best plan for accomplishing
this purpose.
He cited a number of Federal court
decisions upholding the president's q
power TO withdraw lands, contending
that the present measure was constitu.
tional.
The house today by vote Of 1876 To
81 voted in favor Of thorough investi-
cation Of the charges that q ship sub
sidy lobby Ii operating In Washington
for the purpose Of. influencing congress-
men In favor Of ship subsidy. The
action IL q result Of a complaint by
Representative Steenerson, Of Mime
sofa, that he had been attacked by a
Cleveland Newspaper which he believed
to be an organ Of ship subsidy lobby.
Washington, March 2s.-Thc move
ment for the transfer Of water power
sites from the National government 70
the several states and territories took
shape today when Senator Smoot In
troduced bill for that purpose. Con-
trary 10 general expectations the bill
will provide for the leasing Of power
sites by the states and would not per-
NIT their sale under any conditions. II
would provide for transfer 10 state
whenever II was shown TO the satisfac-
tion Of the secretary Of the interior
that any tract Of land was chiefly val
liable m n power site.
A caucus Of the house Republicans Ia
to be called for next week TO arrange
the programme Of putting through that
body the administration's measures
now pending. This was agreed upon
at tho White house 10 day. The ques-
tion Of the caucus was taken up this
morning, when Representatives Town
send and Hamilton Fish conferred with
the president.
The senate committee on judiciary
decided 70 make q favorable report on
tho nomination Of Robert N. Montgom-
cry. Of Michigan, presiding Judge: VIII
liam II. Hunt, Of Montana; James r.
Smith. Of California; Orion n. Bar
Der. Of Vermont, and Marion do Vries,
Of California. - judges Of the new
customs court Of appeals.
Representative Champ Clark, the
minority house leader. predicted today
that Il would be long time before the
house would elect non-partisan par
liamentarian speaker.
Senator Beveridge today presented
10 the senate the report Of the commit
tee on territories favoring his bill in
preference 10 that passed by the house.
for the admission Of New Mexico and
Arizona as separate states. The re-
port defends the changes made by the
senate committee In vigorous language.
especial emphasis being given TO the
refusal Of the senate bill 70 recognize
the present election law Of Arizona.
Washington. March 26.-Arguments
on behalf Of the bill for the relief Of
the original settlers on the Siletx In
dian reservation In Oregon were heard
today by the house committee on pub
lie lands. Representative Hawley and
A. w. Lafferty made strong pleas for
the settlers,
Representative Hawley presented TO
the committee numerous afiidavits Of
Siletz settlers, ~ well a. petitions
from the governor Of Oregon and other
state Officials. In support Of the pend
ing bill.
Many Of the insurgent Republicans
Of the house, who last Saturday voted
TO retain Speaker Cannon in the chair,
are hearing from home" according
TO reports in circulation about the cap
itol. These advices are said TO be not
ut all reassuring.
Following closely upon this informa-
tion comes statements from several
that war against "cannonism' is to go
on to the dethronment Of Speaker Can
non. the election Of his successor and
the complete reformation Of the ruleJ
Of the house. The overthrow Of the
speaker and taking away from the
speakership Of all power to influence
legislation unduly are aimed at.
Some Of the insurgents discussed
these subjects freely today.
The senate irrigation committee to-
day ordered q favorable report on a
bill authorizing the secretary Of the
interior to use his discretion about sus-
Entries May Be Assigned.
Washington March 24.-The house
irrigation committee today favorably