The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1907-02-14
PRESIDENT WOULD TREAT ALL
GOVERNMENT FUEL LANDS
AS PUBLIC UTILITIES.
SPECIAL MESSAGE TO CONGRESS
URGES ACTION TO AVOID RECUR.
RENEE OF EASTERN coNDI-
TiONS IN THE WEST.

Washington, Feb. 14.-President
Roosevelt has sent to congress a mes
sage calling attention to what he
serms the urgent need of legislation
affecting the different phases Of the
public land situation in the United
States" He advocates the conserva-
ton Of coal and other fuel resources
on government lands; urges govern
ment control Of Western public land
pastures, with a system of small graz
ing fees, and asks for an approprla-
ton Of 100000 to aid In detecting and
preventing land frauds. He contends
for a system of government leasing of
it's mineral lands and for treating
these fuel lands as public utilities.
The president points out that 1t
would have been better if some East
ern coal lands had been left under
government control and suggests pro-
vision in the West against recurrence
of the conditions we deplore in the
East" Citing 1900 cases of public
land entries in four districts men
toned the president says non-complt-
ance with the law was found in over
half and fraud in many others.
The president asks for legislation
which will provide two distinct titles
to public handsome for the surface
and the other for the underlying min
erals. These mineral lands the pres
ident would dispose of by lease. The
details Of this plan he leaves for con-
gross to work out, only arguing for the
adoption Of the plan.
Method Successful Abroad.
Instances of successful leasing of
such lands by foreign governments are
cited by the president and he argues
at length for the separate develop
ment of farming and mining on Amer
lean land.
Foreign practice also is cited as a
reason why mineral fuels, like forests
and navigable streams, should be
treated as public utilities. In this
way can the rights of further genera
tons adequately be protected. The
quantity of high grade mineral fuel is
relatively smaller than forests and its
preservation should be the subject of
the wisest legislation. Ultimately
these rich lands all will pass out of
federal control and future generations
will be deprived Of their birthright un-
less this leasing system be adopted.
BY leasing the mineral rights the gov
eminent can exercise healthy con-
troll, the good effects of which will
best be noted in the future.
Answering the charge that reserva-
ton of natural forests raises the price
of lumber in the West the president
says:
1T should be remembered that the
best and most accessible bodies of
timber in the West passed into pri-
vate holdings before the forest re.
serves were established; that while
the price of lumber has advanced in
the West it has advanced still more in
the East, where there are no forest
reserves; that supplies of timber are
today being shipped from the West to
the markets of the Mississippi valley
and even to foreign countries.
Advantages Of Leasing System.
ut may be claimed among the ad-
vantages Of the leasing system that
CD it will facilitate the working of
coal deposits for local markets by
miners without large capital; CD it
will facilitate larger operations; 90
prevent waste in the extraction and
handling Of these fuels; (4) the sys-
tenn can be operated in such manner
as to prevent the evils Of monopolistic
control; 60 it will permit the govern
ment 10 reserve from general use
fuels especially suitable for special in
dustrfes; and CO. it will enable the
government to protect the public
against unreasonable and discriminate
ing charges for fuel supplies"
The president urges care in the dis
posal of these mineral land interests,
foreseeing time when the so-called
''inexhaustible reserves" will be taxed
to more than their capacity in supply
ing the demand. The president trusts
congress may prevent the coal lands
of the West from getting entirely into
control Of the corporations, as have
the Eastern anthracite lands.
Government control Of Western pas
ture lands is urged on the same gen.
eral principles now applying to the
government control of the forest re-
serve. Only enough revenue from the
range to pay for its administration
and improvement would be sufficient,
the message urges.
More special land agents are urgent
ly requested.
KILLED BY HOUSE COMMITTEE,