ALIEN LAND BILL UP TO GOVERNOR

Opposition Told That President-Elect Will Not Refer to Japanese Question.

By WILLIAM H. CURRY

OLYMPIA, Thursday, March 3. -- Senator Howard Taylor's reading of a statement, the origin of which he declined to disclose, that the inaugural speech of President-elect Warren G. Harding contained no reference to the Japanese situation dispelled the opposition to the antialien land owning and land leasing bill (H.B. 79) in the Senate yesterday afternoon and it was passed with two dissenting votes, those of Senators E.B. Palmer and T.D. Rockwell of King.

The Senate adopted the few minor amendments made by the Senate judiciary committee without discussion before the bill was placed on passage. Later in the afternoon the House concurred in the Senate amendments.

Consideration of the measure came on Senator D.V. Morthland's motion to make it a special order of business for next Monday, afterwards changed to Saturday morning, and was a discussion by the proponents more than a debate, although the whole subject matter of the bill was gone into by a number of speakers.

Senator Morthland Asks Delay.

In asking for delay, Senator Morthland told of the efforts he had made to learn from Washington if such legislation at this time would prove embarrassing to the incoming administration. He said he had heard nothing definite from either United States Senator Weasley L. Jones or Miles Poindexter but had been informed in a telegram from the Seattle Chamber of Commerce that Will H. Hays, Republican national chairman, was taking the matter up with the President-elect. He thought, he said, it no more than courteous and right that the Senate should wait until some word was received from Harding.

Senators William Wray, Charles E. Myers, Fred W. Hastings and R.A. Hutchinson opposed delay, declaring that Congress is waiting to learn how the state of Washington feels on the Japanese question. Senator Hastings read from a speech of senator Harding in which he is quoted as saying he recognized the racial differences existing in the Pacific Coast states and that it was the nation's duty to stand behind the West Coast. He said British Columbia farmers are petitioning the Canadian Parliament to take action similar to that proposed here.

Cox Telegraphs to Harding.

Senator D.H. Cox of Walla Walla informed the Senate that he had telegraphed the facts of the situation here to Senator Harding and asked that action be deferred at least until after the inauguration for a reply. Senator Rockwell asked an explanation of the precipitate haste, but received none.

"I have waited two years for this day in court," declared Senator Taylor in advocating immediate action. "No district of the state is so affected by the presence of Japanese as mine, comprising the great White River Valley and the whole southern end of King County. They are in possession of the farm land and have their schools where they teach antagonism to the United States. They are taking the country from us. Yet in spite of these evident facts, every kind of business and political pressure has been brought to bear upon me to oppose this bill. I will not change my sentiments.

"Certain business interests in Seattle are fighting this bill because they care more for the Japanese dollars than they do for the people of this state."

Senator Taylor read excerpts from letters from Senators Jones and Poindexter to City Councilman Philip Tindall in which the senators said they would not attempt to influence legislation pending before the Legislature on this subject. He also quoted the Japanese minister as saying California had acted within its constitution when it passed its antialien land law this winter.

After Senators W.M. Karshner, Ralph Metcalf, Guy B. Groff, P.L. Sinclair and others had discussed the subject of the bill, as well as the Morthland motion, Senator Taylor arose and read from a slip of paper:

"President-elect Harding did not mention the Japanese question in his inaugural address."

"If that is the fact, then I withdraw my opposition for immediate consideration," announced Senator Cox.

Morthland's Motion Voted Down.

Senator Morthland's motion to make the bill a special order for Saturday morning lost on roll call, 11 to 27. Senator Palmer, who opposed the bill, then moved that all committee amendments be adopted, that the bill be considered read and placed on final passage.

"You want haste, let's have it," he said.

This was accordingly done by viva voce and the roll called.

The bill provides that no alien shall take title or hold title to land, and that any now held by or for aliens in violation of the constitution shall be forfeited to the state. If an alien holds a mortgage on land he must foreclose and sell it within three years. Existing leases are to be determined by the courts as to whether they constitute interests in lands. Under treaty rights aliens may lease for commercial and residential purposes.

The measure passed the House last week. It was introduced by Representatives Adam Beeler of Seattle and James T. Jones of Kent and backed by some officers and a strong faction of the American Legion.

Narcotics Bill Passes.

The Senate passed Sub. H.B. 15 making the sale of narcotics a felony instead of misdemeanor and providing for the treatment and cure, if possible, for addicts. It also passed:

Eng. H.B. 80, prohibiting after seven years any claim to or interest in property purchased from minors or insane persons.

Sub. H.B. 83 -- Validating certain indebtedness to counties of the sixth class.

H.B. 114 -- Providing that judgments on jury verdicts may be entered after two days.

H.B. 61 -- Authorizing the state board of forest commissioners to correct errors in forest protection assessments on county tax rolls.

H.B. 26 -- Validating warrants of certain drainage districts in Pierce County.

Eng. H.B. 107 -- Changing the boundary lines of the Fifth Senatorial and Fourth Representative and Fourth Senatorial and Third Representative Districts in Spokane County.

H.B. 42 -- Increasing the terms of drainage district commissioners from one to three years.

H.B. 59 -- Exempting from inheritance tax bequests to schools and colleges supported in part by gifts, endowment or charity.