Omaha daily bee., 1912-02-11
ARGUE RIGHT-OF- WAY BILL
Attorneys Urge Passage of Measure
Limiting Union Pacific Holdings.
ADDRESS JUDICIARY COMMITTEE
Doubt Thrown on validity of Four
Hundred Deeds Given by Rail-
road 10 Grantees Along
Line of Carrier.
From a STAFF CnrreSnnndentN

/ FrOm a Staff Correspondent
WASHINGTON. D. c. Feb. l0-(special
Telegram -Attorneys w. A Prince Of
| Grand Island and " II. Loomis of
Omaha, representing respectively the VAL
/ ley Farmers Protective association and
the Union Pacific railroad. appeared be-
fore the house judiciary committee today
IN hearing on the bill now before the
committee to limit the width OF the
/ Union Pacific right-of-way.
Mr.. Prince was heard first. urging the
| passage OF the measure. chiefly because
| II would foreclose law suits now and in
the future over the disputed ground. Il
was made clear that under decision Of
| the supreme court doubt had been thrown
on the validity Of about 900 deeds given
by the railroad TO grantees along the
| right-of-way because of alleged lack Of
| authority on the part OF the railroad 10
| grant title under the statute. There has
been much litigation over hese deeds, and
Il was claimed by Mr. Pierce that con-
gress should put an end to It.
Mr. LOomis said that so far as he knew
| his client, the company, had no present
intention Of proceeding against holders
of the disputed deeds. He questioned
their illegality. and gave the committee
additional legal arguments.
Both attorneys were given leave 10 file
| additional briefs. which they said they
would do within few days
stryiser before Comniixsion,
Ed stryker, secretary OF the South
I smnnha "a Dc In t,
appear before the Interstate Commerce
commission tomorrow in arguments
against the proposed enforcement OF
higher freight rates on stock shipments
from TITO Missouri river to points east,
Mr.. Stryker said that injunctions had
been issued against the proposed increase
and the question now arises on the dis
solution Of these lnjunctions. Should the
rates be enforced, he said. II would mean
an Increase Of from 81 TO ST. per car on
shipments OF stock TO Illinois points.
ultimately involving losses of possibly
millions Of dollars to shippers Many
other representatives of both sides are
present to be heard.
Homesteaders' Bill Recorded.
The house committee on Indian affairs
today ordered recorded the bill extending
the time OF payment to certain home
steaders OF the Cheyenne river reserva-
ton In South Dakota and the Stand
ing Rock reservation In North and South
DAKOTA. This measure. which was passed
In the senate on motion OF Senator Gam
Bile. provides that any person who has
heretofore made homestead entry for
land on the reservations named under the
act OF 1908 may apply for extension Of
timo within which to make payment OF
any amount that Is about 20 become due
upon the payment OF interest for one yea
in advance. At the instance Of Representa-
live Burke the following amendment was
Incorporated IN the senate bin.
Provided that any entryman who has
resided upon and cultivated the land
embraced in his entry for the period OF
: time required by law In order TO make
communication proof. may make proof and
! tn the same Is approved further residence
! and cultivation will not be required. but
! patent shall be withheld until substantial
payment of the purchase price due is
! made In accordance with the provisions
hereof
Representatives Burke and Martin ap.
: peared before tho house committee to
J agree on favorable action on the measure
which concerns thousands of, settlers
Lobeek BIZ Reported.
A report favorable TO the deposit Of
customs receipts In national banks. when
: the secretary Of the treasury so desires
was made to the house by the ways and
means committee. which recommended
for passage bill introduced by Repre-.
sentative I,obeck OF Nebraska. The bill
would give the secretary the power &c
deposit all customs receipts In nationa
banks with the same restrictions as now
, apply to the deposit of internal revenue
funds.
The receipts at the port Of New Yorl
are in excess OF seso.coooco each year anc
|, under the present Interpretation Of thu
customs laws, this must be placed In tn,
United States subtreasury. Members Of
the ways and means committee believe
that power to divert this fund to the ma.
tional banks should be given for use Il
times OF financial stringency.