The united opinion. [volume] (Bradford, Vt.) 1881-1970, 1910-02-04
CONSERVATION
BILL HAS JOKER
Was Prepared BY Secretary
BaIIingGr.
POWER TO REOPEN SECRETLY


Committee-The New Member of the
BaIinger Investigating Committee
Amendment to Postpone Inauguration
Held Up-A Depew Joke.
Washington, Jan. 2S.-One of the adj
ministration measures for conserva
ton has created a storm in the public
lands committee of the senate. These
bills were prepared by Secretary Bal
linger. and friends of Pinchot claim
to have found in one of the measures
a legislative joker that would set back
the whole conservation movement
This bill provides that the secretary
of the interior may make temporary
Withdrawals of public lands and re-
port the same to congress for ratifica-
ton. Pending such ratification the
secretary, without notifying or con-
sulting any one, may reopen such
lands for temporary entry. Here is
where the joker comes in. 1t seems
an innocent enough clause, but in
practice would work In about this
way: Congress would receive the re-
ports of the secretary of the interior,
as 1t does those of the other depart
ments, and there the matter would
rest so far as 1t was concerned. Thus
the temporary withdrawal would run
on indefinitely and would leave the
lands in question at the mercy of any
secretary of the interior who might be
in Office He could reopen them for
entry to anybody he chose and at his
own sweet will. Moreover, the whole
transaction would be secret.
"kid Congressman" Honored.
James NJ. Graham, the member of
the Ballinger Pinchot investigating
committee elected in place of Repre-
sentative James 7. Lloyd, who resign
ed after being substituted for Repre-
sentative Henry 7. Rainey, is a law
yer in Springfield, H., and was once
the law partner of General John NJ.
Palmer. He was born in Ireland, came
to America in boyhood. began teaching
when of age and earned enough to
study law. The honor is all the more
marked for the fact that Mr. Graham
is serving his first term i'm congress.
To Relieve tho Weather Man.
The amendment to change the date
of the Inauguration from March 4 to
the end of April has met some unex-
pected delays; but, as everybody seems
to be for it and nobody has a rational
against It, it is almost certain
of final passage by both houses. The
last Inauguration, when the weather
was so inclement that it forced the
president to deliver his auaugural adj
dress indoors, was the last straw.
to u later date is required
not only for the health and comfort
Of those who participate in the cere-
mony and the thousands who attend
it, but for the salvation Of the weather
man. Professor Willis L. Moore has
already given out prophecies of fair"
for two inauguration days on which
the weather was about as bad as it
could be-that of 1901 and that of
1909-and it is not desired to burden
his conscience with another such sin.
More Depew Humor7
The New York State club in Wash
lngton has Endorsed Senator Chauncey
NJ. Depew for another term.-but as
the membership of this organization is
composed of residents of
and as such residents can
not vote it is not seen just what such
action can signify. Under the circum-
stances it would seem to be intended
rs a Depew joke.
The Latest Song.
At least one good joke has come out |
IF the meeting of the house of gov
ernors. 1t was noticed that whenever /
America" was whistled or played in /
he vicinity of Governor John Burke |
IF North Dakota he looked around APP |
and the other governors |
the reason. Finally it came /
,ut.
When Senator Johnson died Gov
srnor Burke delayed the appointment
II his successor until the state was
with candidates. His diff
,ulties grew greater as the delay
enlightened, and finally Governor Burke
urned to his friend and neighbor. Sen
ltor Fountain L. Thompson. and made
him a senator over night. Some Of the
iisappointed-and they were many
rot out a card purporting to bear Gov
srnor Burke's favorite song. They
iung il to the air America" and If
-ou don't see the point in reading ii
ust sing II yourself:
)watona Slam. Owatona Slam, Owatonasi
)watona Siam, owatona Slam. Owatonasi
Waterways Report.
The report Of the national water
Ways commission after an exhaustive
Investigation In this country and Eu-
Ope win make a declared waterway
'olicy by congress almost a necessity.
This was the point insisted on by the
asst rivers and harbors congress and
las the approval Of President Taft IL
would make impossible any more OF
he usual pork" bills such as have
lisgraced congress and depleted the
reasury In the past. The commission
cover conservation
4 water power. distribution Of costs
4 improvements between federal