Pike County press. (Milford, Pa.) 1895-1925, 1910-01-28
NEWS FROM
WASHINGTON

" NAA@@AAAN - - - -
Senator Carter Of Montana has
drafted a bill to authorize the issU-
anoe to the states OF patents for pub
lie lands which are chiefly valuable
for the development of water power.
The measure Is an outgrowth of the
discussions at the recent conference
Of Governors held in Washington and
is aimed to meet the demands of
those who insist that the states and
not the general government shall as
sumo control Of this phase of the con-
servation problem.
The Carter bill differs fundament
ally from that drafted by the Secre-
tary of the interior, with the approv-
al Of the President and introduced by
Senator Nelson. The Nelson bill
provides that the government domain
granting only easements thereon and
In such way as to prevent their union
for purposes Of monopoly with other
sites. The right Of use is to be limit
ed to forty years, with means for de-
termining a graduated rental, and
with provision for fixing the term of
renewal.
1t is proposed in the Carter bill
that the Federal government shall
give these lands outright to the States
which would thereafter handle and
control them for power development.
The bill provides also that the states
shall never ALLEVIATE the fee simple
title TO the land and shall reserve thr
right to fix the rental rates based on
capacity for power development.
The state is also TO regulate the price
to be charged for electricity generated
by the water.
tits apparent that 2 great legal bat
tie will be fought out in Congress be-
fore the question of the right
OF the states and the federal
government respecting water power
control finally eettled. This pro-
lem has given the Nation Waterways
Commission more trouble than all
the other questions that have arisen
before the Commission. 1t is entire
ly possible that some of the Senators
from the great lands states of the far
West will line up with the Southern
Democrats on this question on the
ground that an effort is being made
by the general government to take
away rights granted the states in the
Constitution.
There are few walters at RolIa,
Missouri, where Representative Muir
ply makes his hon Q. But in Wash.
where Mr.. Murphy takes his meals in
the winter time, the waiter is very
much in evidence. Mr.. Murphy has
introduced an anu-tipping bill, but
his measure is not general in its
scope. The Missouri Congressman
wants to try his plan in the District
of Columbia. 1t provides that nc
waiter shall take a tip and that nc
proprietor shall allow tips to be accept
cd. The penalty provided is a fine
ranging from s. to $50. In view OF
the agitation for a reduction in the
cost Of living MIR. Murphy
thinks his measure ought to prove
very popular among those who have
to patronize restaurants and hotels
There are signs of a widespread
vigorous campaign against the pro
posed legislation to increase the post
age rates on magazines with a view
to wiping up the deficit in the Post
Office Department. Certain maga
zines have already begun to send ou
circulars to their advertisers and sub
scribers denouncing the plan.
A number of these circulars havl
found their way to members Of Con
gress and a greater number of letter.
from constituents based ON these cir
culars have come TO the Committe
OF Post Offices and Post Roads. Hear
ings on the proposed legislation vii
begin on January 26 and it is expect
cd that a number of the leading ma
azines will send representatives
Washington to enter an emphati
protest at that time.
Lincoln IS Ancestors