The midland journal. (Rising Sun, Md.) 1885-1947, 1910-01-28
WASHINGTON LETTER.

growth of the discussions at the recent
conference of Governors held in Wash
ington and is aimed to meet the 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 is one of the strong.
men in Congress, an able debater and an.
experienced legislator. AS, chairman of
the Committee on Irrigation he made
a careful ami exhaustive-inquiry last year
of the public domain of the west and he
is regarded as being well equipped to.
discuss and defend his. measure to give
the States control of the development of
water powers.
The Carter bill differs Fundamentally
from that drafted by the Secretary of the
Interior, with the approval of the Presi-
dent, and introduced by Senator Nelson.
The Nelson bill provides that the govern.
ment shall retain title to all power sizes
on the public domain. granting only
easements there on and in such way as to
prevent their union for purposes of mon
opoly with other sites. The right of use
is to be limited to forty years, with means
for determining graduated rental, and
with provision for fixing the terms of
renewal.
1t is proposed in the Carrier bill that the
Federal government shall give these lands
outright to the States. which would there
after handle and control them for power
development. The bill provides also that
the states shall never ALLEVIATE fee simple
title TO the lani and shall reserve the
right to fix the rental rates based on ca
pacity for power development. The state
is also TO regulate the priceto be charged
for the electric current generated by the
water power.
It is apparent that great legal battle
will be fought out in Congress before the.
question of tax rights of the states and the
federal government respecting water power
control is finally settled. This problem
has given the National Waterways Com.
mission more trouble than all the other
questions that have arisen before that
Commission 1t is entirely possible that
some of the Senators from the great land
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 Rolla, Mis-.
souri,, where Representative Murphy
makes his home But in Washington,
where Mr.. Murphy takes his meals in the
winter time, the waiter is very much 10
evidence. Mr.. Murphy has introduced
an anti-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 no
waiter shall take tip and that no pro-
prietor shall allow tips to be accepted
The. penalty provided is fine ranging
from IS to $50. In view of the agitation
fore reduction in. the cost of living Mr..
Murphy thinks his measure ought to
prove very popular among those who
have to patronize restaurants and hotels.
~
There are signs Of widespread and
vigorous campaign agaius, the proposed
legislation to increase the postage rates
on magazines with view Of wipiug up
the deficit in the Pos.office Department
Certain magazines have already begun to
send out circulars 10 their advertisers and
subscribers denouncing the plan. A
number ofthese circulars have found their
way to members of Congress and great
er number of letters from constituents
based on these circulars have come to the
Committee on Postoffices and Post Roads.
Hearings on the proposed legislation will
begin on January a6 and ii is expected
that a number of the leading magazines
will send representatives to Washington
to enter an emphatic protest at that time
~
Arrangements have beer made by the
Wer Department for the maneuvers to be
held in various parts Of the country
during the coming summer. 1t Is ex-
pected that Congress will appropriate
$4,000 for these joint maneurers in.
which the regular forces aud the state
militia participate. An allotment will be
made of $3.50. 900 for coast defense en-
ercises, TO be held at forts along the coast
in the neighborhood Of the big cities and
n which limited force of state militia