The Washington times., 1906-06-21
La Toilette Resolution
Viii Give President
the Authority.
MANY MILLION ACRES
Government Control of
Lands Would Be Beneficial
to Industrial Interests.

The President. IT develops. is fully in
sympathy with the startling proposal
introduced in the Senate. to have all the
coal and oil lands Of the Government
Withdrawn from entry. so that the re-
nnainder Of the nations supply Of these
fuels may be preserved.
The President, In fact. has discussed
the matter with Senator Ia Toilette
and is anxious that these lands be taken
out of the market. He only wants to be
sure OF his authority This the La Fol-
lette resolution proposes to give.
There are known to be about Is. .OOO. 900
acres of such lands in the public domain.
The La Toilette resolution, however,
authorizes the President to withdraw
not only the known lands but also such
as In the Judgment of the director of the
Geological Survey. may contain coal or
oil deposits.
Government to Retain Control
1t is the idea of Senator La Toilette
that the Government should never part
with the title 20 these lands He has no
notions about the Government operat>
ing coal mines. but is firm in the con-
vicuon that II the Government retains
title 10 the coal and oil supply it can re-
tain such control over these necessities
as 10 prevent their monOpoliZatiOn and
exploiting for the benefit OF a few. He
is also convinced that with the Govern
ment in possession of these immense de-
pnsiJs, and holding them in such way
that they cannot get beyond its control.
it would be IN 4 position absolutely 10
prevent such tie-up Of industries and
such a tax for fuel as resulted from
the great anthracite strike.
The President rs fully In accord with
Senator La Toilette upon this question
Shordy after the Senator called atten-
ton 10 the valuable coal rights which
the Five Civilized Tribes bill attempted
20 dispose Of without in any way safe
guarding the rights of the people, the
President sent for Senator Ia Toilette
and talked over the situation with him.
The President said he would call the
attention of Congress TO the question
and he did so in the message which he
sent with the Garfield report
The President has fully determined TO
withdraw all Of the coal and oil lands
from entry and sale until they can be
thoroughly explored There is a doubt
in the minds Of some of his advisers as
TO his authority 10 do so. 1t seems clear
to some that he has the authority while
some claim it is a close question. The
purpose Of Senator la FOllete's resoIu-
tion is to clear up the doubt and make
certain the authority Of the President
TO do that which he has determined
upon doing and which is for the good of
the country.
The Senator did not make a speech
when he introduced his resolution but
gave notice that he would call II I'D
later. The introduction Of the resolution
caused a stir among Senators. There
was CONSERVATION as IL was believed
that the Senator would ask immediate
consideration There was a sigh OF re-
lief when he agreed to give at least one
days notice when he would discuss II.
To Authorize the President.
- believe there should be no doubt
in regard to the Presidents power TO
withdraw these lands from entry and
SALE said Senator La Toilette. There
is little more to say. other than that
I believe every man has a direct inter-
est in knowing the character and extent
of the coal deposits
There was an investigation of our
coal deposits about twenty years ago.
and as L remember It was said at that
time that only 60 per cent of the coal
actually in the mines was taken out
Forty per cent Of 1t is going TO waste
because of the methods used. Not
pound of coal should be wasted.
I know the President is anxious to
conserve the fuel supply Of the country.
and the only purpose Of my resolution is
10 clear up any doubt in regard to his
authority to withdraw these lands from
SALE