The Thibodaux sentinel. (Thibodaux, La.) 1905-1912, 1910-07-02

1
ed increases to. be reasonable.
An act also was passed to compel
railroads to furnish to the Inter-
state Commerce Commission reports
on accidents, SO that Congress may
be better Informed as to the need of
further legislation.
Under the withdrawal act, the
president was given almost unlimited
power to withhold lands from settle
/ ment and to conserve the water pow
er. On the other hand, the act pro-
viding for the agricultural entry of
the surface of coal lands will open to
settlement at least 60,000,00O acres
and at the same time reserve to the
government the right to the coal. By
providing for the opening of a pro-
portion of the Pine Ridge and the
Rosebud Indian Reservation in South
Dakota, and the Fort Berthold Re-
servation in North Dakota, more than
100000 acres of agricultural lands
will be available for homestead set
tlement.
The sum of $150,0OO was appro-
p'riated for the gauging of streams,
with a view of the preservation Of
the water supply
These conservation measures are
declared to be far-reaching Under
the new power conferred upon the
president it is expected there will be
extensive land withdrawals, while
the settlement of the coal lands,
without involving the valuable de-
posits beneath the surface, is expect
ed to do much to reconcile oppo-
nents of conservation who have con-
tended against the disuse of lands
merely to preserve natural resources
for future generations.
The increase provided for the ma
Wy was notable. Two battleships of
$4,000 tons each, armed with IA
inch guns, making them the most
formidable Dreadnoughts afloat, were
authorized. The naval strength of
the United States will be further sup
plemented by six torpedo-bot de-
stroyers, two colliers and four sub
marines, while an increase of the
personnel of the navy of 5000 men
was authorized.
Greater safety of railroad employees
and travellers will be obtained by the
laws enacted to extend the use of
safety appliances.
A measure of Importance to agri-
cultural interests provides against the
misbranding or adulteration of rar-
is green and other insecticides was
passed. An appropriation of 100000
general in enforcing the Sherman
antitrust law. The House adopted an
amendment providing that no part of
the appropriation should be used in
prosecuting labor organizations, but
the Senate struck out the provision,
and later the House voted to recede
from its position upon it. The dis
cussion and demands of labor lead
ers brought out letter from Presi-
dent Taft, who took strong posi-
tion against legislation of that char
acter.
The sum of 100000, with the
suggestion that as much more as
might be needed might be forthcom-
ing, was appropriated for the rails
ing and removal of the wreck of the
battleship Maine, sunk in the har-
hor Of Havana Cuba
Further regulation of the immigra-
tion service was provided, so as to
improve the character of immigrants
obtaining admission into this coun-
try. Other legislation makes provis-
ion for the better protection of the
Alaskan seal fisheries; for the promo
ton of efficiency of the militia of the
several states; for the parole of
United States prisoners whose con-
duct indicate that they would not
abuse their liberty; for the franklns
of publications by the blind; for he
preservation of natural scenery
throughout the establishment Of the
glacier National Park in Montana,
and for the creation of a commission
of fine arts.