The copper era., 1911-01-27
WASHINGTON NEWS LETTER.
Happenings of Interest to the Country, and Affairs at the Capital in Which
 Arizona Figures.
Special Correspondence.)

Washington, D. C., Jan. 17.
 A vigorous campaign for reclaim ing the waste lands of Arizona is being carried on by Delegate Cameron, and he is interesting himself in the legislation now pending, and in plans being devised through the Agri cultural Department that will furnish the most economic manner for irri ting and retaining such tracts as that of Sulphur Springs Valley. MT. Cameron has his own bill for artesian wells, intended for Sacra- mento and Hualpai Valleys in Mo- have County, and other valleys in the territory, and he has pointed out to his fellow members here that an ap- propriation of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars, which he has asked for, would result in opening to settle ment thousands of acres of lands which are now practically uninhabit- able, owing to the lack of water supply.
 Delegate Cameron has introduced bill to authorize and empower the town of Glendale in Maricopa County 10 issue bonds in the sum of ten thousand dollars, providing eight thousand dollars for the improvement of streets and two thousand dollars for the purchase of fire apparatus.
 The Democratic delegation in Con- gress is considering possible candi- dates for the presidency in the mex t election. Governor Harmon of sOhiC is favorite, while Dr. Wilson, the new governor of New Jersey, has his partisans. There is popular impress sion that Champ Clark, who described himself to your correspond ent as "the near-Speaker," will also be in the race. In his new capacity MT. Clark will be prominently in the lime light, and if his ambitions are cor rectly stated. he will be in position to make rapid headway as candi- date.
 A strange case of a letter lost for seventy-two years has just come to light. This letter was mailed at Geneva, New York, and addressed to Yonkers in the same state. All though the distance is but three hundred and thirty-6ve miles, this piece of correspondence has just reached its destination. Both the writer and the person to whom it was addressed, have been dead many years.
 The death. of Senator Elkins created a vacancy in the chairman ship for the Senate Committee on Interstate Commerce, which will be filled by Senator Clapp of Minnesota. MT. Elkins was member of the "old guard," while the Minnesota man is pronounced insurgent. He has been particularly insurgent" on the sub ject lof railroad legislation, having urged many mendments relating to rate regulation when the last bill was up before the committee. The so- called "conservatives" are not at all pleased at the prospect of having the Minnesota man at the head of this committee.
 Millions of dollars represented in the finest timber in the world, is be- ing lost because there are no laws that will permit it being sold, accord ing to Senator Borah of Idaho. MT. Borah has seen President Taft and Secretary Ballinger several times, trying to reach an understanding by which the timbor in the great area of the forest fires last year might be sold and used before it rots and be- comes absolutely useless. The Idaho Senator is especially seeking 10 protect the interests of the hundreds of homesteaders who made one try upon Government land and have not perfected their titles. He wants some legislation at this session that will permit them to dispose of the timber.
 Lewis Brandies of Boston, went into detail in an argument before the Interstate Commerce Commission in explanation of the repeated state ments made by him that a million dollars day could be saved in the operation of railroads throughout the country by the introduction of scientific management. MT. Brandies has proven somewhat of a thorn in the sides of higher railroad officials, as his arguments are most cOnvine- ing, and he enjoys the distiu ction of advancing radical ideas which he backs up with such force as to gain the respect of even his opponents.
 Dr. NC. Bledsoe, of the Calumet and Arizona staff of physicians at Bisbee, made an address Sunday afternoon at 2:30 o'clock at the ;e