The Birmingham age-herald., 1910-01-17
Conservation Bill Gets vey Cool Support from Con-
 gressman MondeI|
TAFT'S LEGISLATIVE
 PLANS THREATENED
Democrats Will Stand by James and Rainey for the Investigation Com mittee or There Will Be
 Fine Row Started.
By wATTERsoN sTEALEY.

By WATTERsoN sTEALEY.
 Washington, January 16-(Special)-Th administration finds itself in predica- ment over the conservation bills. Repre- sentative Mondell of Wyoming, the chair man of the public lands committee. de- clines to stand sponsor for the Presi- dents measures, having stated that he would only introduce them 'by request This has angered the President. who fully understands that MT. Mondelrs 'by re- ouest'' means that he cannot lend his in dorsement to them. Next to MT. Monden on the committee comes Volstead of Min nesota, who is an out-and-out insurgent' and therefore could not command the support of the organization.
 Representative Smith of Iowa comes next and he is a follower of Chairman Mondell Then comes Representative Grunna of North Dakota, another insur- gent
 It is being predicted that the only way the bills can come before the House Is on motion to discharge the committee from further consideration of them. This always raises a row and is bitterly fought by the members of a committee
 The Presidents whole legislative pro-
  ters now stand what he gets in the way of legislation on his major recommenda- tions will be the merest makeshifts.
 Conferences among House democrats to- night lead them to believe that of the 159 democrats comprising the total mem- bership of the minority party not two can be found who will serve on the Bal finger committee in the places to which n, ola James of Kentucky and Representative Rainey of Illinois. If course, both James snd Rainey are objectionable to the House republicans. They would object to any man whom they knew could not be reached by either the speaker or the Pres ident
 Neither MT. James nor MT. Rainey is any more partisan than Representative Olmstead of Pennsylvania, who is re- ported slated for the committee. He is one of the speakers right shand men, and is always called to the chair to enforce Cannonism when the speaker is compelled to be absent
 The House organization will not hesitate q minute to turn down James and Rainey if it can get the votes. Their going on the committee simply means that the or ganization fears that a sufficient insur- gent and democratic vote might be ob- tained to knock out the entire commit tee.
 Once let the organization assure itself that 1t can hold a part of the insurgent vote, the democratic caucus nominees would not receive any more attention than if Speaker Cannon were appointing the committee.
 M
 "A very comfortable river and harbor bill will be passed at this session." said Chairman Alexander of the committee to- night, " but the amount it will carry is a matter which rests wholly with the committee who has voted in favor of annual bills. The present bill will be drawn with that in view
 From 1865 to 1884," said Chairman Alex ander, Congress enacted annual river and harbor bills. Finally in 1882 President Arthur vetoed one of them, which resulted in biennial bills. To obviate the business difficulty of having bill only once in two years the continuing contract policy was adopted in 1S90 This gave activity to large projects, and was working with beneficial results until in 1896 President Cleveland vetoed one of the bills, this resulting in triennial bills, and with one exception three years have intervened be- tween their enactment.
 The committee believes that the day has now come to return to the original and business method of an annual bill. The plan is to appropriate each year only what the engineer corps can expend in that year.
 ITO harness the waters with which this great nation has been abundantly blessed" continued MT. Alexander s'and tto make the rivers work for the benefit yof our diversified activity is one of the most interesting problems which con fronts the committee. and I believe that a bill broad and comprehensive in char acter will be the outcome of our delib- erations''
 When the time comes Representative Diekema of Michigan will not be alone in his candidacy for Speaker Cannon's place in the next House, should 1t be republican. Representative Smith of Iowa, Mann of Illinois and Tawney of Minnesota are only few of those men tioned. The fight is already on as no member believes that Cannon has n chance to succeed himself. Mr. Smith of Iowa is thought to be especially actfve for the speakership or, as it it may turn out to be. the minor leadership on the republican side.
 Representative Ferris of Oklahoma has introduced bill to prevent gambling in cotton futures. It makes it unlawful for hnA person or corporation to maintain a place where cotton is speculated upon without valid bonaf1de intent and abil- ity to deliver the corporeal thing. A transmission company can only accept message backed by an affidavit and two witnesses to the effect that he is not dealer in futures. The penalty ranges from $500 to s2000
 
 Three Men SufFocated.
 Montrose Col. January 16.--Three men .&<.Iut nitroglyoerine fumes in the Gunnison funnel today and 3O others barely