The Fallon standard. (Fallon, Nev.) 1920-1958, 1921-04-06
Believes in the
Fallon Field
Senator Key Pittman Tells About
His Purposes in National
Congress

n iepIcoeuldtlVe Ol I0e fh1iO0
Standard saw Senator Key Pittman
In Reno. He has been in the state
about three weeks, visiting various
sections. He stated that he had
planned to visit Fallon, but that the
sudden convening of congress made
1t necessary to abandon such plans.
He was asked with regard to his
opinion of the attitude of the pres
ent department of the interior to-
wards western development, and
particularly with reference to recla-
nation. oil development and min
ing. He said: II have been upon
the Public Lands Committee of the
senate with Senator Fall. the Secre-
tary of the Interior, for seven years.
and l believe that am thoroughly
acquainted with his views. In fact,
we have been in perfect accord with
regard to western development.
think that Senator Fall, who is both
miner and a stockman, will be
very liberal in the construction and
administration of laws affecting us.
We are equally fortunate in the se-
lection of Mr.. Finney for assistant
secretary of the interior, and Ex-
Governor Sprye of Utah for Com
missioner of the Land ONCE
Senator Pittman said that he
had always been optimistic in
his views with regard to the
Fallon oil field, although not
an experienced oil man. II appeared
that the oil operators in the district,
remarked the senator. had made the
mistake of anticipating that oil
would be found at a shallow depth,
and therefore had not sufficiently
prepared for deep sinking. He was
glad to know, however, that prepa-
rations had now been made to
thoroughly prospect the district at
great depth with standard rigs.
With regard to irrigation, he in
formed the representative of the
Standard that he had introduced a
bill requiring the immediate inyesti-
cation, survey and report upon the
possibility of impounding waters
upon the watershed of the Truckee,
and as to the most practical place to
utilize such waters. He gave it as
his opinion that. after a cessation of
several years during the war, that
there would be considerable activity
In the completion of existing irriga-
ton projects, and along more practi-
cal and scientific lines than had
heretofore been undertaken.
Our correspondent stated to Sem
ator Pittman that there was a great
deal of uneasiness with regard to
the repeal@of the Pittman Act. and
that there seemed to be strong
propaganda in favor of it, He re-
piled ut is true that there is a
great effort being made to repeal
the Act, and we are unable to as
certain from what source it comes,
but l assure you and the silver pro-
ducers that in my opinion there Is
no intentio of the Senate of the
United States to vote for the repeal.
But If such intention should de-
velop upon the part of the majority.
then under the rules of the United
States Senate, which allow unlimit-
ed debate before a vote may be had,
there are at least four-and | be-
lieve more-senators who will de-
bate without limit, If 1t be neces-
sary, to kill any bill introduced for
the purpose of repeating the Pitt
man Act. 1t is impossible to repeal
the Pittman Act. The Act guaran-
tees the price of American silver at
one dollar an ounce for at least
three and a half years and, under
certain conditions, for much
longer period. l am returning to
Washington so that l may be there
upon the opening of the session to
reintroduce a number of bills and
there watch lest an attempt be
made to slip the repeal bill through
the United States Senate"
Senator Pittman was asked with
regard to the possibility of passing
an Act permitting the state of Me-
yada to put up only its proportion
ate share of the Federal roadbuild-
ing fund, viz: The proportion of
the private land owned In the state
to the public land, in other words,
the possibility of the state putting
up ten per cent. as against the Fed
eral government ninety per cent.
He stated "Such a bill passed the
house of representatives. II was
not reported out of the committee
in the senate. Just before adjourn
ment, | offered an amendment to
the postoffice appropriation bill.
providing for such apportionment.
Ii required a two-thirds vote to tack
this amendment upon an appropri-
alton BILL and we lacked five votes
of having two-thirds. We did, how
ever, receive a majority vote, which
clearly indicates that this will be-
come the law, on direct bill short
ly after the convening of congress.
Tourist travel by automobile has
been prevented up to the present by
reason of the deplorable condition
of the Lincoln highway in portions
of the states east of Utah. These
roads should be repaired this sum-
mer. Then 1t is reasonable to ex-
pect that there will be 400 or 500
automobiles a day entering Fallon.
1t is easy TO estimate the large
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