Santa Fe new Mexican. [volume] (Santa Fe, N.M.) 1898-1951, 1906-07-31
WESTERN COAL
LANDS WITHDRAWN
From Entry By Or
ders of the Presi-
dent.
100000 ACRES RESERVED
For Protection of People in
Case of Strike or
Monopoly.

Washington, July 31.-Independence
of the coal monopoly or a great strike
of coal miners seems to be assured
by the action taken by the President
and Secretary Hitchcock
Secretary Hitchcock has, by direc-
tion Of the President following a
thorough investigation, issued an or
der withdrawing from entry 100000
acres of public lands which are known
to contain workable coal. These lands
are situated in New Mexico, Colorado
Utah, Wyoming, North Dakota, Mon
tana, Oregon and Washington
The geological survey made an ex-
animation in accordance with instruc.
tions from the President and ascer-
tanned that there were 56,000,0O0 acres
of public land believed to contain coal
deposits. The President, however, de.
sired the withdrawal of only those
sections known to possess workable
coal, and the area was accordingly re.
duced to 100000 acres.
This gives the government posses.
sion of coal lands capable of supplying
the nation with an indefinite amount
of fuel The President last spring,
when there was danger of second
coal strike, let it be known
would not hesitate to carry
plan of receivership If he We
ed to do so by the failure of
orators and miners to reach al
ment and by the suffering whi
failure would entail next win
He realized that the sci
mines would greatly irritate
and might cause it to grow ii
probably would consider that
ernment might regard coal mi
ure as a precedent for similaI
in other industries. The P
knew, moreover, that he wo
subjected to virulent criticisl
finally, that any of his success'
fronted by a similar emergenc
not care to go as far as he
would.
Prosecution for Fraud
Secretary Hitchcock was aeI
through reports that he had
in an official way that thous
acres Of the public domain ha
entered as agricultural lands, FL.
a matter of fact. the lands are
and are being worked for coal, .
asphalt and other minerals. I'll
cutions for fraud which we n
menced in some instances for
ception are being pressed an
will follow.
The President, in transmit
report Of Commissioner of
tions Garfield on the Stant
corporation declared that the
come when no coal or oil la >. -.
py the government, either within the
public domain proper or territory
owned by Indian tribes, should be ali
enated. The President was of the
opinion that the fee to such lands
should be kept in the United States
government and leased on such terms
and for such periods as would enable
the government to keep entire control
of them.
Senator La Toilette introduced res
olutions to attain that end, and Secre'
tory Hitchcock enlisted the support
of Senator Spooner in the same direc
tion, asking that provision be put
in an appropriation bill authorizing
the President to locate and withdraw
from entry all public coal lands. Con
gress adjourned without any such ac
tion, however, and the President and
Secretary Hitchcock, after thorough
investigation, determined to act with
out more specific authority, resting up
on the belief that the people will ap
prove the policy which is to prevent
an injury to the public interests.
Senator La Toilette of Wisconsin
played prominent part in the dis
cussion in the Senate on this subjec
last winter He urged vigorously great
er government control of coal, oil ant
other mineral lands in the possession
of the Indians. The Senate, however
turned down his ideas. Senator La
Follette's presentation of the subjec
attracted the attention of the Presi
dent as it was in line with the RE
sideration he was giving the subjec
OF the government retaining posses
sion of coal lands still within the pub
lie domain.
TO APPOINT NEW