The Delta independent., 1907-02-22
new LAND LAWS|
PRESIDENT URGES RADICAL LEG.
ISLATION.
NATION TO RETAIN The TITLE
Special Message Advocates Leasing
System Both for Coal Lands and
Grazing Lands-Wants Appnopria-
tfon to Detect and Prevent Frauds.


Washington.-Presid Roosevelt
Wednesday sent to Congress a long
message calling attention to what he
terms the urgent need of legislation
affecting the different phases OF the
public land situation in the United
States"
He advocates the conservatism OF
coal and other fuel resources on lands
still belonging to the government,
saying that henceforth the nation
should retain its title to its fuel re,
sources; urges government control OF
the western public pastures, with a
system Of small grazing fees, etc, and
asks for an appropriation of half a mil
lion dollars. Immediately available, in
addition to present estimates, to aid
in detecting and preventing land
frauds.
He contends for a system of govern
ment leasing OF its mineral lands and
for treating these fuel lands as public
utilities.
The President points out that it
would have been better If some eastern
coal lands had been left under govern.
ment control. and suggests provision
In the West against recurrence Of tho
conditions we deplore in the East"
Citing $500 cases OF public land en-
tries in four districts mentioned, the
Pre- sident says no compliance with the
law was found in over half Of them N and
deliberate fraud In many cases.
The President first refers to his pre-
Vlous message to Congress on the sub,
jcct and again calls attention to the
Importance of such legislation as
would provide for title to and develop
ment OF the surface land as separate
ana distinct from the right to the un.
deiIying mineral fuels in regions
where these may occur. and the dis
posal OF those mineral fuels under a
Leasing system on conditions which
would inure to the benefit Of the public
as whole. He says he cares little
for the details and that the prime need
is that the system should be estab-
lished. The message in part says:
Such a leasing system as that pro
posed represents by no means an un
NItt III Tue Australian COuU.
tries during the last fifteen years coal
has been mined under a system Of gov
Crnment leases and on conditions SC
favorable for development that ,heir
coal and coke are to-day being sold on
tho Pacific coast of both the American
ccntiDents. In all the great coal-pro
duClng European countries except
Great Britain coal Is being mined un
der government leases.
In Great Britain leases are granted
almost entirely by the private land
owners. but there. as in other coun
tries. the surface culture and the min
Ing operations are conducted indc
rendently of each other In Nova SEQ
tia. British Columbia. India and other
British colonies a government leasing
system has been adopted and is work
Ing satisfactorily.
Mineral fuels. like the forests and
navigable streams should be treated
rs public utilities. This is general,
recognized abroad. In some foreigs
ccuLtries practical control OF n large
rortion Of the fuel resources was al
loved years ago to pass into private
hands. but the existing governments
arc endeavorinG to regain this cont rol
In order that diminishing fuel supply
NAV be safeGuarded for the common
good. instead Of being disposed of for
the benefit OF the few-though the mis-.
take Of the preceding generation in
d.spcsing Of these fuels for n nominal
return cannot always be corrected by
tho present generation. as the cost
nav be so enormous as TO be pruhib-
itory.
In our own western states and ter
ia. 4.
forests has rendered necessary their
preservation MS public utilities and the
preservation OF the forests for the pur.
pose Of conserving both the waters
and the timber supply has come to be
recognized as the wise and proper
policy OF the federal government.
"The quantity OF high grade mineral
fuels in the West is relatively much
smaller than that OF the forests and
the proper conservation OF these fuels
Is matter OF farreaching Importance
This government should not now
repeat the mistakes OF the past. Lot
us not do what the next generation
cannot undo.
I'VE have right to the proper use
OF both the forest and the fuel during
our lifetime. but we should not dispose
OF tho birthriGht OF our children. II
this government sells Its remaining
fuel lands. they pass out OF its future |
control. and future congress will be
at liberty to decide whether It will con.
tinue or change this policy.
Let me also again urge that lcgisla.
ton be passed to provide for govern.
mcnt control OF the public pasture |
lands of the West on the same general |
principles which now apply In the GOV.
crnmcnt control OF the forest reserves.
The local control Of the range should |
be In the hands OF Western men IA. |
miliar with stock raising. and there |
should be full local participation In the |
management Of the range. There Is |
no need that the government should |