Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1906-12-26
may STOP ENTRY
ON COAL LANDS
Congressional Committee to
Probe Cause Present
Fuel Famine

Special to Evening Teller.
WASHINGTON, d. C., I,ec. 2s-
One of the most important questions
now effeeting the people Of This cum
try is the future ownership Of its coal
lands. President Roosevelt 5rousht
the matter to the attention of congress
in his message delivered at the con-
vening of the two houses OF congress.
And while his suggestion tina, the gov
eminent retain it's coal fields 50. the
common good of the people win be bit
terly opposed by the coal trust ana rs
allied interests, and also by thoss. who
from more patriotic motive are op-
posed to government ownership in any
particular, believing that it is contrary
to our policy OF national economy.
there are great many valid reasons
why the coal lands Of the country
should not be monopolized by railroads
or by any other aggregation OF indi-
viduals. The present scarcity of coal
in the northwestern states, especially
the Dakotas. and the high prices pre-
vailing everywhere. is SO outrageous
that a tremendous sentiment has grown
up In the country that something radi-
cal ought to be done by congress to
correct this evil
Wide Range Of Prices.
The fact that coal sells for e5 cents
tone at the mine and for So 100 miles
away from the mine. is fact that can
not be overlooked. and conclusively
proves that some thing is wrong some
where.
The most valuable coal fields not
now under private ownership are in
the Indian territory. They are owned
by the Choctaw and Chickasaw IN
dams and the government is acting as
trustee for them. II Is the view OF the
greater portion OF the members OF the
constitutional convention at Guthrie
now engaged in framing a constitution
for the new state. that these coal lands
should be left under federal supervfs-
ion. and that the mines be leased for
stated periods OF time to operators.
This would permit. the operation OF
the mines and would at the same time
prevent the large syndicates from OBJ
tanning absolute ownership and there
by having the right and power to place
an arbitrary price upon this commo-
dity. This seems to be the presidents
idea. and he 50 expressed himself in
his message to congress-
3. L. French on Committee.
| There are many other coal fields on
| public lands in the western states
Wyoming is rich in coal, and 1t seems
that the Union Pacific railroad has
about monopolized the coal business
in that state. There is, doubtless,
however. much more coal in Wyoming.
Washington. Oregon. Utah and Idaho
that has not yet been discovered.
Congress has taken up the presi-
dents suggestion, and the committee
ON public lands will have numerous
hearings on this question immediately
after the holidays. 1t is not known
how this committee stands on this
matter. Its determination will doubt
4 less be acted upon by the house. The
committee is composed of members of
congress from all over the country
There are two far western men on
this committee who are in close prox-
unity to the coal lands OF the far west
and who will, without a doubt, take q
leading part in the hearings of the
committee. They are Congressman
Mondell Of Wyoming. and French OF
Idaho.
May Cause Long Debate.
The proposition as far as public
lands are concerned is to stop entr,
on coal lands. and the Objectionable
feature of this Is that It would put 8
damper on the DEVELOPMENT Of mine,
Of that character, as no one would
care to prospect for and develop :
mine knowing that ne could not finall,
secure absolute ownership.
The proposition has many advan.
tages and disadvantages over the pres.
ent system. If the presidents schem.
is deemed to be practicable and prove.
to be practicable, It viii without cues.
tion be great boon to the Who'll,
country. However. the question O,
the future fuel for the Industries of tn,
country and for domestic use. is on.
of the most important 10 the futur.
commercial standing of the United
States, and It would not be surprising
should there be long drawn out de-
bate IN congress- on the question in tn,
immediate future.