New-York tribune., 1917-12-25
Senator Newlands,
Of Nevada, Dead
Of Heart Disease
Activities in Connection
With the War Believed to
Have fastened His End

WASHINGTON, Dec. "a. - Senator
Francis Griffith Newlands, Of Nevada,
chairman of the Senate Interstate Com
merce Committee, died of heart dis
case in his home here tonight
after an illness of few hours.
He was stricken while at work in his
cFice in the Senate office building dur
ing the afternoon, but was able TO go
home. and the capital knew nothing OF
his illness until the announcement OF
his death
No one realized the seriousness Of
the Senator's condition and a physician
was not called until late this evening.
Then the heart attacks had become
acute. The end came suddenly at lO:l5
o'clock, as Mrs Newlands and her
brother watched at the bedside.
For several weeks Senator Newlands,
working almost night and day on his
preparations for an investigation of
wartime transportation problems, had
been in a weakened state of health. He
kept at his desk, however, and in spite
of his 50 years, appeared alert and
active.
The Senator was native Of Missis-
sippi. He was born near Natchez
August %, 1s4S. and lived in the state
until he went 10 Yale in 1867. After
nearly two years at Yale he entered the
Columbia College Law School here and
graduated. being admitted to the Dis
trict of Columbia bar before he re-
ceived his diploma. From Washington
he went to San Francisco. where he
practised law until 1888. Then he be-
came citizen of Nevada and was
elected to the Fifty-third, Fifty-fourth,
Fifty fifth. Fifty-sixth and Fifty-seventh
Congresses. During his ten years as a
member of the House he served on
various important committees.
Succeeded a Republican
Succeeding Senator John p. Jones,
Republican, in the Senate on March 4,
1903, Senator Newlands soon became
on active member of that body, and
when the Democrats gained control he
was made head of the Interstate Com
merce Committee. In 1908 he submit
ted his candidacy for reelection to the
popular vote, and was returned by a
large majority.
As chairman of the joint Congress
sional committee on transportation
problems. as well as of the Interstate
Commerce Committee. the Senator has
been identified prominently with con-
sideration of what the government is
20 do about the railroads during the
war He has conferred with the Presi-
dent eeveral times, and at the Presi-
cents request deferred hearings the
Interstate Commerce Committee was
nreparing TO start until after the
Christmas holidays, when the President
is expected 10 submit his solution of
the railroad problem to Congress.
The Senator'S chief interest for years
had been in Americas railway trans
rortation lines, and in the develop
ment of national waterways, both for
Transportation ard for greater fertility
of land. Because OF his close touch
and deep interest in these questions
he was universally regarded as the pre-
eminent expert on them in the Senate,
and probably in Congress.
Enjoyed Wilson's Confidence
As author of the Newlands act, which
had provided a plan Of land improve
ment in the arid West by development
Of waterways, he also was well known.
He had for long time pressed leglsla-
tion for expenditure of many millions
Of dollars for waterway and irrigation
/ improvements, recently witnessing par
tial fruition Of his hopes in the APP
pointment of a special commission au-
thorized by Congress for comprehen-
sive study Of American waterway de-
velopment.
In his railroad legislative work Sen
ator Newlands had enjoyed the closest
confidence Of President Wilson, and
had been regarded as Administration
spokesman on such matters in the SEN
ate. There he was not frequent de-
batter. but always was given the closest
attention when speaking. He piloted
he Adamson eight-hour bill through
the Senate during the last Congress.