The Raymer enterprise., 1913-05-01

tion. A dozen or more senators and
assemblymen declared the people Of
the state were almost a unit In de-
manding such law, and 1t was threat
ened that unless the Legislature act
at this time, the matter would be
taken up through the initiative and
passed by the people themselves.
The conference opened with Lieu.
tenant Governor Wallace in the chair
and Secretary Bryan seated with Gov
ernor Johnson and Speaker G. c.
Young Of the assembly on the plat
form, Secretary Bryan In brief state
ment asked the conference to tell him
the exact situation.
Senator Boynton, administration
floor leader. outlined the situation. say.
ing in part:
"At the time President Wilson's
telegram was received last week, an.
nouncing the wish to send Secretary
of State Bryan to confer with this
Legislature. there we're two bills on
this subject before the Senate.
ut was apparent that the people Of
the state were strongly in favor Of
the enactment Of an alien land law,
and such law probably would have
been passed before this time II 1t had
not been for the telegram from the
President"
After several others had spoken,
many Of them quoting statistics to
show the increase in land holdings by
Japanese during recent years, Secre-
tary Bryan arose.
"As. the representative Of the Pres
ident." he began, 81 feel keenly the re-
sponsibility that is placed upon me. I
do not pretend to do other than ex.
press his views.
"As to the constitutionality Of our
treaty with Japan. you will pardon me
If | decline to act as the supreme
court Further, as to the question of
immigration, think we can consider
that question as independent Of the
land question with which we are hero
concerned.
81 have listened to what you have
said and assume everything to be
true; that you have not overdrawn
nor exaggerated the feeling Of the
people of California.
"In that case the first question is
whether the legislation is demanded
at. this time. II It can be delayed,
then tho first suggestion that the
President would have me make Is that
you permit an effort to be made to
deal with, the question automatically
with view to reaching the same re-
suits without legislation.
If the demand Is so immediate that
this cannot be done. can action be de-
ferred for two years, and In the mean
time have a commission appointed to
investigate conditions and act with
the executive? Would 1t not be worth
while to try this plan before you
adopt the plan that might result in
unfriendliness from foreign nation
81 am not going to indulge In any
speculations as to what may happen
II you do anything now, but am here
to advise against the use Of any Ian.
glage that would offend any people
that have dealings with u.s."
In case immediate action was de.
manded, Secretary Bryan said, he
would be In favor Of law along the
lines OF the Illinois law, or the federal
statute In the District Of Columbia
both Of which are general in char
acter. IT,.
Governor Johnson made brief. but
intense, speech In defense of the posi-
tion taken by the majority party in
California He told Secretary Bryan
that the right OF California to follow
the lead of other states was unques
toned. and declared that such d
course now seems assured. When
Governor Johnson took his seat there
was general feeling that the alien
land situation had been settled, re-
gardless of what may be forthcoming
from Washington.
Secretary Caminetti attempted to
make a heated attack upon Governor
Johnson, whom he criticised for not
fnvoring the land bills two years ago
but was checked on point Of order
and the conference adjourned imme
diately.