Jamestown weekly alert. [volume] (Jamestown, Stutsman County, D.T. [N.D.]) 1882-1925, 1906-08-09
COAL LANDS
Over 100000 Acres Of Public
Lands Containing WorkablesCo
!.
49,. !. Reserved, 4

" Reserved. - {,
Confirmation of the telegraphic Or
der withdrawing all public lands
from entry in certain q township in
the Bismarck land district, namipg
them has been received at North
Dakota land offices from Washington.
1t is learned that a townships in
the Dickinson district have also been
withdrawn and it is presumed similar
Withdrawals have been made in other
districts throughout the United
States where coal deposits exist.
A recent Washington dispatch says {:
Independence of the coal monopoly
or great strike of coal miners seems
to be assured by the action taken by
the PRESIDENT and Secretary Hitch
cock.
Secretary Hitchcock has, BY direc-
tion of the president, followed a
thorough Investigation, issued an
order withdrawing from entry 6,000,-
900 acres OF public lands which are
known to contain workable coal.
These lands are situated in New
Mexico, Colorado. Utah, Wyoming,
North Dakota, Montana, Oregon and
Washington.
The geological survey made an ex-
animation in accordance with in
structions from the president and
ascertained that there were 56,O0O,
900 acres of public land believed to
contain coal deposits. The presi-
dent, however, desired the with
drawal of only those sections known
to possess workable coal, and the area
was accordingly reduced to 100000
| acres.
This gives the government the pos
session of coal lands capable of sup
plying the nation with an indefinite
amount of fuel. The president last
spring. when there was danger Of a
second coal strike. let 1T be known
that he would not hesitate to carry
out his plan of receivership If he
were forced to do so by the failure
of the operators and miners to reach
an agreement and by the suffering
which such failure would entail next
winter,
He realized that the seizure of
mines would greatly irritate capital
and might cause it to grow timid. 1t
probably would consider that the
government might regard coal mine
seizure as a precedent for similar
action in other industries. The presi-
dent knew, however, that he would
be subjected to violent criticism,
and finally, that any of his success
sors, confronted by similar emer-
gency, might not care to 60 as far as
he himself would.
Secretary Hitchcock was informed
through reports that he had received
in an Official way that thousands Of
acres of the public domain have been
entered az agricultural lands, when,
as matter of fact, the lands are
mineral and are being worked for
coal, cement, asphalt and other min
erals. The prosecutions for frauds,
which were commenced in some in
stances for this deception are being
pressed and others will follow.
The president in transmitting the
report Of Commissioner of Corpora
tions Garfield on the Standard Oil
corporation. declared that the time
had come when no coal or oil land
held by the government, either with
the public domain proper or territor-
les owned by Indian tribes, should be
alienated. The president was Of the
opinion that the fee to such land
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 con-
troll of them.
Senator La Toilette introduced res
VAuU1VA0 " OOL04a V01S .SQu QAlO 0OV-
retary Hitchcock enlisted the support
of Senator Spooner in the same direc-
tion, asking that a provision be put
In an appropriation bill authorizing
the president to locate and withdraw Y
from entry all public coal lands. Con-
gress Adjourned withouG any such ac-
tion however and the president and
Secretary Hitchcock after thorough
Investigation. determined to act
without more specific authority, rest
ing upon the belief that the people
will approve the policy which is to
prevent an injury to the public inter-
ests. s's. # a ;..s 81
Senator La Toilette of Wisconsin
played a prominent part In the dis
cussion In the senate on. this subject
last winter. He urged vigorously
| greater government control Of coal,
oil and other mineral lands In the