Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1918-01-03
SENATOR NEWLANDS
DIES UNEXPECTEDLY
Known us an Authority on Rail-
roads-In Congress Since
1883.

Washington. u. c.. Dec. Ex-senator
Francis Griffith Newlands. of Nevada,
died of heart failure N his home here
last niSht after an illness of a few
hours. He was stricken while at work
in his office ut the senate office build
Ing during the afternoon. but was able
To 80 homo and the capital knew moth
ing of his illness until the announce
laent of his death.
M one realized The seriousness OF the
senator's condition and Il physician WAS
not called until late this evening. Then
the heart attacks had become acute.
The end came suddenly at 1915 o'clock.
Us Mrs. NoWlandS and her brother
watched ut the bedside.
For several weeks senator Newlands.
working almost night and day on his
preparations for AN INVESTIGATION of war
time s.,ortation problems, had been
IN u weakened state or health. fle kept
at his desk, however, and in spite of his
90 Years of age appeared alert and ac-
tive.
1he senator was a native of Missis-
slppi. He was born near NatcheZ.
August Is. lS4s. and lived in the state
until he went to Yale in 1867. After
nearly TWO years at Yale he entered the
Columbian college law school here and
graduated. being admitted to the Dis
trici of Columbia bar before he received
his diploma.
From Washington he Wen to San
francisco, where he practiced law until
lSSS. He then became a citizen OF Ne
Nada and was elected to the Fifty third.
Fifty-fourth, lrifty-fifth. Eifty-sixth
and Fifty-seVenth congresses.
Served on Important Bodies.
During his 10 years as a member of
the house he served on various impor-
tant committees.
Succeeding Senator John =. Jones,
republican, in the Senate on March 4,
1903, Senator NewlaNds soon became
an active member of that body and
when the democrats got control was
made head of the interstate
committee. In 1905 he submitted his
candidacy for reelection to the popular
vote and WAS returned by a large ma
jority.
sional on transportation
problems. as we'll as of the Interstate
commission, the senator had
been prominently identified with con-
sideratioll of What the government is
to do about the railroads during tho
war. He had conferred with the prcsi-
dent several times. and at the presi-
dents request deferred hearings the
Interstate commission was
preparing to start until after the
Christmas holidays. when the president
is expected to submit his solution Of
the railroad problem to congress.
Authority on Railroads.
The senator's chief interest for years
has been in American railway trans
portation lines INC in the development
of national waterways, both for trans
portation and for greater fertility OF
land. Because of his close touch and
deep interest in these questions he was
universally regarded as the pre-emi-
nent expert on them i'm the Senate and
probably in congress-.
AS author of the Newlands act. which
has provided Il plan of land improves
ment in the arid west by development
of waterways, he also was we'll Known.
He had for a long time pressed legisla-
zion for expenditures of many millions
of dollars for waterway and irrigation
improvements. recently witnessing par
tial fruition of his hopes in the appoint
lnent Of IL special commission auth
oriZed by congress for a comprehensive
study of American waterway develop
ment.
In his railroad legislative work
Senator Newlands has enjoyed the
closest confidence of President Wilson
and has been regarded as administra-
ton spokesman on such matters in the
senate. There he was not a frequent
debater, but always was given the
closest attention when speaking. He
piloted the Adamson eight-hour day
bill through the Senate during the last
congress-.
Most of Senator Ncwlands' business
interests were in the west. He was re-
puted TO be quite wealthy. having cx-
tensive mining interests in Nevada and
California.