The weekly herald. [volume] (Amarillo, Tex.) 1906-19??, 1907-02-14
5SIdent Sends One To-Day
On The Subject Of
Public Lands
HEURGES US. CONTROL
ElIS Public Lands, Especially Mineral
llliS, Reserved 10 ihe Government
and Leased Far Operation
Associated Press.

Associated Press,
Washington, D. c., Feb. Ia
President Roosevelt today sent to
~usress a message calling attention
20 what he terms, "thc urgent need
u legislation affecting the different
phasos Of the public land situation
IN the United States" lie advises
consideration of the coal and other
fuel resources Of the government
lands, urges government control OF
western public land pastures with a
system OF small grazing for feed and
asks for an appropriation of half
million dalors TO aid in the dc
lection and preventing Of land
frauds. lie contends for a system
OF government leasing of its mineral
lands for treating these fuel lands
as public utilities. The President
points out that il would be better
II some OF the eastern coal lands
had been left under government con-
troll and suggests a provision in the
vest against recurrence of tho con-
dit!ons wo deporo in the east"
Citing 1890 cases of public lands
entries in tho four districts mention
ed, the President says non-compli-
ance with the law was found in over
half and fraud in many Of. the 9TH
ers. The President asks for legisla
ton which will provide two dis
tlnct titles to public lands, one for
surface and the other for undorly-
ing minerals. These mineral lands
the President would dispose of by
lease, The details of the plan he
leaves for congress to work out
only arguing for the adoption of the
plan. Instances Of the successful
leasing Of such lands by foreign gov
ernmonts is cited by the PRECEDENT
and he urges at length for separate
development of farming and mino
on American land. The foreign
practice is also cited as reason why
mineral fuels, like forests and nav
igable streams should not be treated
as public utilities. In this way can
the rights Of future generations ado
nuately be protected. "The guam
tity Of high grade mineral fuel in
The west is relatively smaller than
the forests and its preservation
should be the subject OF the wlsest
legislation. Ultimately these rich
lands will pass out of federal control
and future generations will be de- '
prived of their birthright unless loas- a
ing system is adopted" C
Answering the charge that the S
reservation of the natural forests ;
raises the price of lumber in the il
West, the President says, at should S
Ge remembered that the best and
most accessible bodies Of timber in
the west passed into private hold
inga before the forest reserves was
established, that while the price of r
timber has advanced in the West, it
as advanced still more in the East
Ahere there are no forest reserves
that supplies OF timber are to- W
being shipped from the west to in
,rGets in the Mississippi valley and p,
foreign coutries. ~
lt may be claimed fairly among
advantages OF the leasing sys- u
N that l1). 1t will facilitate work
lS the coal deposits for local mar OF
. OF bY the miners without large cap ca
TAI. KY 1t will facilitate larger 10
(3). 1t will prevent waste !,
d extraction and handling these
halls. &4( The system can be OPP 1t
rated In such a manner as to pre- 81
Iens the evils of monopolistic con- fu
'rOl. t6) II will permit the gov he
,Tnment to reserve from general use pl
} fuel supply suitable for special
adnStT!es. (6) 1t will enable the tn
.o5ernment TO protect the public be
.gainSt an unreasonable and discrim- me-
nAt1ns charge for fuel supplies" be
The President urges care in the as
isDoHal Of these mineral lands in sat