Milford chronicle., 1913-05-02
CALIFORNIA TO
DELAY LAND BILL
Bryan P9TSuadsS Legislators
TO Postpone Action
DOES NOT VIOLATE TREATY
Secretary Admits Right of State to
Pass Law, But Urges That Japan's
Trade Be Retained.

Pass Law, But Urges That Japan's
Trade Be Retained.
Secretary Of State Bryan held two
Ions. secret conferences with members
Of the legislature in Sacramento. CAL
Even the attaches of both houses were
excluded.
At the first conference Bryan asked
that alien land legislation should be
postponed until some committee Of
, Investigation selected by the legisla-
ture should determine that such legis-
lation was an actual necessity at this
time.
legislators who were seen after the
close of the session expressed the con
yiction that Bryan's visit will result
in the postponement of the enactment
Of any alien land legislation at this ses-
sion, and that a commission from both
houses and made up of all parties
will be named to investigate the ne
cesisty OF legislation at this time Il
this commission reports that such
legislation is needed then a special
session Of the legislature will be
called.
Secretary Bryan on his arrival was
received by Governor Johnson. He
also shook hands with many Demo I
cratic legislators who were at the de-
pot to welcome him.
For three hours Secretary of State
Bryan pleaded with the legislature in
secret session to delay passage of an
anti-alien land bill for two years and
to give the state department an oppor-
tunity in the meantime to accomplish
the same results of excluding Japa-
nese from the soil by diplomacy
Bryan acknowledged that the pend
ing bill does not conflict with treaty
rights, but he questioned the assump-
tion that the people Of California de-
manded such law. He pointed out
that only the Democratic platform
contained an anti-alien land law plank.
IF the people want this legislation
said Bryan, why did they not elect
more of the candidates of the Demo
cratic party?"
Senator Boynton, floor leader of the
senate, told Bryan that the legislature
is prepared now to pass an anti-alien
land bill. IF you have any message
from the president" he added, "of a
protest on the part of foreign nation
let us have it now, as we would like
to hear of it"
Nothing further was said by Bryan
on this point. Senator BirdsaI, joint
author of the bill, said that if the leg
islature does not pass the bill now be-
fore the legislature, that the people
would Immediately pass one more
drastic by invocation of the initiative.
Secretary Bryan told the legislators
that if they were bound to pass an
alien land law at this time that he
was authorized by President Wilson
to request them to pass one modelled
on the Illinois law, which was the
least Objectionable. Bryan said:
Wants to Retain Trade. +
This is not an issue paramount +
With the whole state. 1t is not ques r
ion of immigration and land owner
ship alone. Friendly relations exist b
between the United States and Japan. =
Commerce is increasing, and the com .
nerce of the Orient was of such value p
o California as a whole that it would
'fset present harm by Japanese land u
"
Senator Sanford, Democratic leader, :.
aid: THE keynote Of the question is =,
ne of how to word the bill to suit the :;
eOple and still make it effective as to !
resent needs-to prevent Japanese q
rom encroaching upon American com
lunities and conserve farm lands for
ur own people"
Senator Boynton. administration
oor leader in the upper house, de- =
ired that specific objections to pend :
lg legislation be pointed out.
Il intend in no way to overlook the .,
ecessity which forces it in certain "
arts OF the state" Secretary BRYAN a
aid. Il have come to gain first hand "
formation and to cooperate with
gu. There is no question OF the power TTD
the state to enact legislation, but | i"
desire to confer with you with the u
lea Of presenting the national side y
Secretary Bryan asked that the lead %
IS state their views as to the meth al
Is to be employed to reach any end ~
lie lagisis ture deems desirable, and ci
enator 5oynton assured him that the Sd
gislature desired his advice in the
after.
Assemblyman Bradford, Democrat,
Id author Of the first anti-alien land do
W to attract attention this session, II,
ated the viewpoint of the California ";
nchers, who resented the influx OF t,D
lassimilable aliens as neighbors. %,
Secretary Bryan in his final speech ~
ggested four methods OF relief for 40
One to delay immediate ~,
ton and permit the state depart 20,
ent to frame a new treaty with ia
n; or to appoint commission to
yestigate alien land ownership and
t with President Wilson; or to enact
law similar to the six-year land law WI
alien property owners as in Hi Pr
is, or to create a law similar to the ma
strict of Columbia statute. rel
Either Of these, Bryan said, were su- ito