East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1915-03-11
LANE IS
PLEASED AT RECORD
OF 63RD CONGRESS
LEGISLATION AFFECTING WORK
OF INTERIOR DEPARTMENT
PRAISED.
No Single Congress In a Decade Has
Passed and Considered So Much
Constructive Legislation for the
Development OF the West Declares
Secretary of Interior.

WASHINGTON, March 11.-Secre
tary Lane, OF the interior depart nent
expressed himself today as pleased
with the record made by the sixty
third congress on legislation affect
ing the work of the interior depart
ment and 'ho public affairs under
It's administration.
mo single congress In a decade, ="
said the secretary, "has passed and
considered so much constructive leg
islati0n for the development OF the
west the encouragement Of pioneers
and settlers, and the economical ad-
ministratlon OF the many interests
handled by this department.
Probably the biggest item in the
list Is the legislation for the building
Of the Alaskan railway. and the OPP
ening and leasing OF Alaskan coal
lands. The country will come to look
back upon this legislation as inaug-
urating a work that will rank in i'm
portance with the construction OF
the Panama canal.
"The extension of time for recla-
nation settlers to pay their water
right charges, the desert land acts
10 relieve and encourage settlers who
are striving to make homes in the
arid sections, the temporary oil leas-
ing bill for the relief OF the oil situ-
alton, the authorization OF establish
ment OF ten mine experiment bu-
reaus and Is additional mine rescue
stations, the appropriations for ex-
tension of the work Of the bureau OF
education in rural and industrial
sections, are all progressive measureG
In its every act in relation to the
public domain and the work of this
department, the congress just ad-
journed has evinced a desire to fur
ther the interests and encourage the
efforts of the real home builder and
the man or woman anxious to aid
in the country's development, and has
frowned upon the speculative and
exploitive class.
Real progress has been made to-
ward true conservation of our nat
ural resources. Although the leasing
bills for opening up the coal, OIL
phosphate and potash lands and wa
ter power sites TO development fall
ed in the senate because of obstruc-
tionistic tactics. the favorable action
by the house upon these measures
and the passage Of the law opening
the surface OF phospate and potash
lands to homesteading, and provid-
ing that the mineral deposits in these
lands shall remain withdrawn until
further action by congress. Is highly
significant Of the purpose Of con-
gress to complete this program at an
early date.
"The Indian appropriation bill
failed to pass because of a contro-
versy over the demand OF the Choc-
taw Indians in Mississippi that they
be enrolled and given a share Of the
tribal funds Of the Choctaw Indians
of oklahoma. A joint resolution
passed by congress extends the ap-
preparations of the current year Tor
Indian purposes. While the failure
OF tnlS ulll Will hSSSs~'eAi''
some embarrassment to Indian Of
flee, it will not lead to any neglect
of the Indians or their property or
interests, which will be fully cared
for"
Among measures of importance re-
lating to the public domain and the
affairs of the interior department
which have been enacted by the sixty
third congress. Secretary Lane men
toned the following:
The Alaskan railway law. and the
appropriation at the last session
which gives the administration about
S2.5OO, 900 available for work during
the year.
The Alaska coal-leasing law.