Arizona republican., 1919-02-28
LAND LEAS|NG BILL PASSES HOUSE-VOW
 |S UP ID SENATORS
Objections Made By Cali
 fornia And Wyoming Conferences With Presi- dent Fail To Secure Adop- tion - Daniels Explains

WASHINGTON, Feb. 27.-Increased opposition resulting in part from let ter from Secretary Daniels, objecting to the effect of the measure on the naval oil reserves in California and Wyoming. prevented the conference report on the oil, mineral and coal land leasing bill from coming up for com sideration tonight in thesenate, after it's adoption today by the house.
 Senator Pittman, of Nevada, in charge of the bill said he plans to pre- sent the report as soon as an oppor- tunity permitted, but most supporters exressed doubt as to whether the measure would be finally enacted at this session.
 Because of the short time between now and the adjournment of congress Tuesday, advocates said it would not be difficult for opponents to block final action.
 Secretary Daniels letter was read to the senate by Senator Swanson. chair
 man of the naval committee. Inn medately Senator Pittman and Sena- tor Shafroth of Colorado, a member of the senate conference committee, called on President Wilson, who was then at the capitol, and asked that he ] use his influence with Secretary Daniels not to oppose the measure. It was understood that the president declined, advising them to discuss the matter with MT. Daniels. Senator
 Shafroth later saw the naval secre- | tary, who was said to have refused to yield.
 WASHINGTON. Feb. 27.-The house 1 @%zI A0r-f, ,Nv1 l the oil land leasing bill and sent it to | the senate for final action.
 l Opposition to the bill because of the | inclusion of a provision affecting the | naval reserves in California and Wyo- i ming was expressed in letter trans
 mitted py Secretary Daniels to Chair ! man Swanson of the naval committee, and read late today in the senate. The
 secretary wrote that he wished to cor
 rest statements that he favored the
 measure.
 Immediately after the letter was read Senators Pittnlan of Nevada and
 Shafroth of Colorado, members of the
 senate conference committee, conferred with President Wilson, who was then in his room at the capitol, requesting that he ask the secretary to withdraw his opposition. Later Senator Shafroth | ident, who was understood to have advised the senator to take the matter
 up with MT. Daniels.
 T understand" said the secretary s
 letter, "that statement has been made
 by some member of congress that the attorney general and the secretary of
 the navy favor the land legislation re-
 ported by the conference committee, on lpublic lands, of the two houses. You
 know my position all the time has been that while not opposing the leasing bill,
 which I favor, I have opposed incor-
 porating any provision with reference
 to the naval reserves in such legisla-
 tion. l do not favor the bill that has
 been agreed upon; I do not think it is . just to the government and while it is
 better so far as the naval reserves
 are concerned, than the original bill
 my attitude is that the naval reserves ought not to be touched by legislation , but ought to be settled by the courts. T did agree with the attorney gen eral and the secretary of the interior
 upon a provision some time ago that
 would protect the naval reserves, anC would confer upon the president power to operate the going wells. We die this because 1 did not wish to assume , to be standing in the way of the pass. age of legislation of importance WAscf : I favored, and I write you because hope you will correct the impression that have changed in my attitude l believe that the naval interests requir. that whatever in the naval reserves . belongs to the navy by law, should g, 5 to the navy. though the final matte
 should be settled by the courts, unles ! the provision referred to, which tn 9 attorney general and myself agreed t l some time ago, is incorporated"