New-York tribune., 1907-01-29
LAND BILL In SENATE.
RESERVES 10000 900 ACRES.
Intended to PreUent Monopoly of
Coai, Oil and Mineral Lands.
- - Trlhnn. Iauraan.l l


washington. Jan. Ex-senator Nelson intr,-
duc.d IN the Senate to-day a measure which Is
strongly urged 10y the administration and which
if enacted wiz reserve 10 the government
the title TO l0oO0OOOO acres Of oil coal and
mineral lands which have hitherto been open to
entry Under the provisions Of this bin all Of
this land may be leased at a price TO be fixed
by The Secretary Of the Interior who will thus
he able 10 regulate the supply OF these necessi-
ties and Ia control the price. Important re-
strctions are placed on the lessee to prevent the
creation Of monopolies and TO insure competition
between such lessee and the private owners of
the 100000 acres of similar lands to which pri-
waite tide has already been granted
Senator Nelson's b which is the joint pro-
duCtlon Of himself, Clifford Pfnohot chief of the
Bureau OF Forestry; James r Garfield Com
missioner of Corporations, and representatives
Of the Attorney General and the Secretary of
Interior. is in entire accord with and the re-
suit n the Presidents recommendation. contained
in his last message 10 Congress Mr. Nelson
suggested three important conditions which
should be imposed on the lessee OF government
land.
First-That such lessee should sell his product
10 al persons without discrimination and at
just and reasonable price:
Second-That no lessee should enter into any
combination in restraint of trade:
Third-That no lessee should by any means
attempt TO effect or promote a monopoly Of the
commodity in which be dealt. Violation Of any
- these provisions viii entail forfeiture OF the
lease.
The bin further provides that in the event
Of complaint alleging an unreasonable price the
Secretary Of the Interior may declare what shall
constitute just and reasonable price. and an
agreement on the part Of the lessee TO sell for
rfa rlrir ASH
the lessee may appeal from the decision of the
Secretary to the courts, which also shall have
authority 10 decree what shall constitute a just
and reasonable price. and observance Of such
decree shall obviate further proceedings; but
failure To comply with the decree Of the court
shall entail forfeiture OF the lease.
Every effort VIII lie made TO enact this law
Al this session. its passage VIII release large
area Of public land withheld from develop
lncut A somewhat similar bill was introduced
5y senator La Toilette some days ago. but, al
though on its face il would appear TO accom-
plish the same end, certain insidious provisions
would. ii is believed, defeat the purpose Of the
President in asking the legislation. The La Fol-
ieiie measure specifies minimum sums which
shall be charged lessees as royalty-ss, for in
stance. cents a ton for coal. II is pointed out
that this sum is the amount charged at the
best coal mines in Illinois. where every facility
i"I ShpplnS ana marketing the product exists,
aHa that 10 compel this charge by law would in
practice have the effect Of absolutely preventing
me leasing OF large section of the 100000 600
acres noW al the disposal of the government,
ana would anus ser-.e only TO promote the mo-
nrHoly Of The coal miners railroads and others
Who oTn The 4gtoDn acres the ownership If
which Is already rested III individuals and cor
ppratiOnS.
Th+ bili introduced by Senator Nelson was
planned by the administration fully year ago
Last leaI the House passed bin dealing with
me coal and mineral lands o. Alaska and AZ
l1" request Of The Secretary of the Interior Sen
ft"r Spooner ,hen entered an objection 10 its
consideration by the Senate. That objection
was Withdrawn by Mr.. SpoOner to-day as soon
n Ny Nelson introduced the administration
measure, and the House bill and the new Mel
S"ii aiil we're referred 10 the Committee on Pub
-t- Lands of which Senator Hansbrough who is
~ ardent supporter Of The administration is
me chairman. The programme Of Mr. Nelson
ana other supporters of the administration * 10
have the Two bills combined and reported As a
substitute for the House measure md rsssed Nv
li" senate This would result in the bilIs going
immediately 10 conference. and would oFyiate
me sccesSty Of consideration by a House com,
bl'iee ana separate enactment there II the
Rouse leaders support the administration they
VIII merely accept the report OF the couferreee
allo So despite the fact that this is a short ses
son NE measure may become a law before
March T.