New-York tribune., 1919-05-03
Mexican Congress
Is Asked to Abolish
Special Oil Rights
Carranza Tells Extra Session
He Would Equalize Status
of All Nations and For.
eigners; Other Changes

MEXICO CITY, May 2.-President
Carranza will submit to the extraordi-
nary session Of Congress. which con-
vened yesterday, the outline Of law
on petroleum which would develop
Article 27 of the Constitution so as
to consolidate the sources of ma
tional wealth according to law and
equity, destroy special privileges and
place Mexicans and foreigners on the
same footing and give the state even
less than foreign legislation gives
other states in the same matters"
This was the leading topic of the
Presidents message outlining the pur-
poses for which he had called the
extraordinary session. which is OK
pected to enact legislation on matters
Of international Importance The
message was read to Congress late last
night.
Asks Other Changes
Among other matters which Presi-
dent Carranza asked Congress to act
TO name Justices of the uprems
Court
To change the government of Next
CO City from q free municipal regime
to one under the control of the ma
tional government so as to secure bet
ter and cheaper administration.
To revise Article 81 of the Consti-
tuition so as to give one deputy for
every 100000 citizens or fraction over
10000, instead of one for each 10000
and fraction over 10000, for the pur-
pose Of increasing the efficiency of the
Legislature and reducing costs.
To suppress the power given the Su-
preme Court to name commissions
charged with the investigation of
election irregularities and giving that
power to the state legislatures. which
will pass on the results of elections.
More Legislative Power
To give the national Legislature the
power to pass upon the eligibility of
its own members.
To pass legislation increasing the
efficiency of state legislatures by de-
creasing the number of Deputies to
fifteen and giving due regard to ex-
isting laws.
To regulate laws regarding appeals
to the national Supreme Court, this
constituting a legal reform of vital
interest to Mexican citizens.
To enact legislation on the forma-
tlon OF bancO unico, or national bank
of emission. for the purpose Of elmi-
mating the evils attending the coinage
OF the present metal currency and en-
couraging commerce and business.
These banking laws, the President
pointed out, would give every necessary
and equitable guarantee, such as Civ
ing the government authority over the
issuance Of currency by banks. which
would be limited to an amount equal
to Is per cent of their exhibited capi-
tai stock. Under the law this currency
would be guaranteed by the capital Of
the bank and the national treasury.
Holders of the bonds of banks would
be assured minimum income of per
cent per annum.
Would Buy Railroads
The government asks authority from
congress TO expend maximum sum Of
lo'OoO,Oo0 pesos for buying shares Of
the union railways of Yucatan and
allied companies for the purpose of
uniting these lines with the present
national scheme of railroads. 1t asks
Congress to enact organic labor laws
and desires authority to build spur
lines TO the national roads in Sonora
IN Lower California, in Yucatan and to
connect santa Lucrecla, IN the state of
Vera Cruz, with Puerto de Campeche.
That portion of the message dealing
with petroleum legislation reads:
The formation Of a petroleum or
ganic law and one concerning com
bustible minerals becomes more vital
every day. Fortunately the senator's
and members of the Chamber Of Depu-
ties share in the executives desire to
consolidate the sources of natural
riches in accordance with law and
equity. When we suggested the regu-
lation Of law and equity and asked for
a revision of Article 27 of the
Constitution (Which natlonalzes GER
tain national resources, particularly
petroleum lands), we were far from
suggesting a rigid system which would
entail the absorption of these proper
ties by the state and so damage to
foreign business men.
Denies Radical Ideas
at is planned precisely to destroy
any special privilege and to equalize
the judicial status Of Mexican citizens
and subjects of other countries, with
out the nation claiming more preem-
inence than that given by national
vereignty, which rights nobody has
brought up for discussion in connec-
tion with other sources of riches of
which Mexico is an exceptional pro-
ducer, such as mining, for example
Nothing can be discovered in the pro
jected law, even by examining the sec
tons which might be judged the most