The White Pine news. [volume] (Ely, Nev.) 1906-1910, 1908-04-22
COAL MINES IN ALASKA
ARE STILL TNDEyELOPED
Executive Order Withdrawing Lands
Becomes Serious.

WASHINGTON. April 2f.-The
administrations policy regarding the
coal lands in the West and in Alaska
Is causing much embarrassment to
interests engaged in promoting such
mines, and Is a source of anxiety on
the Pacific coast, where the develop
ment OF new coal mines Is a matter
of great moment from an economic
standpoint. A large lobby" has
been in Washington all winter, en-
gagged in an effort to bring about an
agreement between the administra-
ton and the leaders In congress re-
garding desired legislation. The
prospect now is that there will be
no coal land legislation at this ses-
sion. The principal difficulty is
found In the fear of President Roose-
welt and the secretary of the interior
that the opening up of new mines
will create a new coal monopoly
One result of the uncertainty sur
rounding the coal land question has
been the suspension of railroad en-
terprises in Alaska by the Guggen-
helm Morgan interests. Two years
syndicate headed by j. p. Nor
gan &Co. and the Guggenheim Ex-
ploration Co concluded plans for
building a railroad from the coast of
Alaska in the vicinity of Estella or
Cordoya into the interior to open up
some large deposits of copper and
coal The coal field which this rail-
road was to reach is known as the
Boring River field, and the coal is
located only few miles from the
coast. The length of the railroad re-
quired to reach the coal field proba-
bly, will not exceed 80 miles. The
copper deposits are situated inland
a distance of about 160 miles, and
It was planned to build the railroad
eventually as far as the Nebesna
country. which is more than 300
miles inland,
The construction of the road has
been begun and is well under way.
II recently has been decided TO sus-
pend operations, however, IN view OF
the failure of the pending legisla-
ton affecting coal lands. The Bering
River coal has been pronounced by
representatives OF the United states
geological survey. as we'll as by eX-
merits in private life. TO be fully equal
10 some of the anthracite OF Pennsyl-
vania and superior to the famous Po-
cabontas steaming coal of West Nir-
einia. 1t is by far IT, best coal TO
he found anywhere on the Pacific
coast. and the development OF the
mines is eagerly awaited by the whole
coast
Late in 1906 President Roosevelt
fearipgs that valuable coal lands IN
the western states and in Alaska
would become the property of large
money interests and that an oppres-
siye monopoly of production would
be formed, ordered wholesale WITH
drawals of public lands amounting
IN more than 60,000.000 acres. Prior
IN the withdrawal, about 400 entry.
men in Alaska had entered upon coal
lands in good faith, and maze the
necessary money deposit at the gov
eminent land Office.
This money has been covered into
the federal treasury, but the entry
men have not been permitted TO Sc
cure patent to their lands. Prior .o
tho securing of patent they are ho'
permitted under the law to enter intC
any association for the mining OF tht
coal and capital can not be enlisted
as long as the question OF tue eAis, y,
conference was held with the
secretary of the interior yesterday D.
SovoraI senators and members o.
Congress from the Pacific coast viii
o a view of obtaining the secretary
spnnort for relief bill for the Aias
Sa entrymen. 1t was impossible t'
s S~ the passage of a general Goa
land bill at this session. hut Una IA,
there might be some nope Oh pu.' ra
through a measure designed TO re
~ The entrymen in Alaska wh'
NJ ,orad on the coal lands In goo'