The Abbeville press and banner. [volume] (Abbeville, S.C.) 1869-1924, 1907-02-20
LICENSES ASKED FOR MINES.
President Approves La Follette's
Bill Controlling Coal Lands.
Senator Says His Measure Follows
Advanced Steps Taken in Other
Countries-Grazing Lands Saved.

Washington, D. C.-Great was the
surprise of many politicians when
Senator La Toilette appeared as the
author and sponsor of an important
bill bearing the approval of President
Roosevelt and providing that the rich
coal and mineral public lands of the
Government neye shall be disposed
of, but developed and operated under
licenses issued by the Government.
Senator La Toilette has worked stu
diously on his problem for more than
a year, and, after many conferences
with the President, officials of the
Department Of Justice and others, he
has prepared an elaborate plan of
legislation to keep the rich public
lands from the clutches of the rail-
roads and other corporate interests
which have been fast acquiring them.
There have been withdrawn by
President Roosevelt, largely at Sena-
tor La Follett's suggestion, from en-
try and sale, nearly 46,000,000 acres
of these public lands possessing coal
or mineral deposits. Other withdraw
ais will follow. The President will
use all his influence to make the bill
law.
All patents to public lands hereaf-
ter issued will contain a clause re-
serving to the Government the right
to all the coal, oil, gas and asphalt
underlying them. Employment in
any of these mines under license to
operators of boys under fourteen
years and of women shall be pro-
hihited.
Senator La Toilette, when asked
to give ain analysis of this proposed
legislation, said:
"The bill follows the lines Of the
most advanced legislation which has
been enacted by other countries for
the conservation of their fuel sup
plies.
"The object sought to be attained
is to retain In the Government the IL
tie to all minerals upon or under the
public domain which are or can be
used for fuel OF lighting purposes.
At the same time it aims to preserve
to bona-ade settlers, and under terms
that are as liberal asthe present laws,
the right to acquire agricultural and
grazing lands, so that the withdrawal
of more than 100000 acres of
land from entry and sale will not In
any way retard the growth and pro-
gress Of the agricultural and grazing
industries in the West.
"The bill provides that licenses
shall be issued by the Government to
prospect and mine for coal and other
minerals mined for fuel, oil, gas and
asphalt, and that not more than
1900 acres shall be licensed to one
individual, corporation r association.
Under the terms Of the bill no officer,
agent or stakeholder of a common
carrier will be permitted to secure a
license to mine for these materials.
"The effect of limiting the amount
Of mineral lands which shall be Ii
censed to any one individual, corpor-
alton or association, and to forbid
the common carriers from acquiring
any interests in such licenses will
have the effect Of building up genu-
inc competition in the production OF
coal, oil and gas. This will result in
opening up new mining districts, the
development of new markets, and
will not only give to the people de-
pendent upon these coal deposits for
their fuel supply, the benefit of real
competition, but will also be a direct
benefit to the agricultural and graz
ing industries Of the great West"