The Ketchikan miner., 1908-04-25

ted to the house committee on public lands coal land bill which applies to all coal lands under the jurisdiction of the United States government. A special clause of the bill refers to the Alaska coal lands and the method Of disposing of them. It provides that all bona tide holders at the present time can combine their properties with contiguous properties, providing that the total amount does not exceed two thousand five hundred acres. After obtaining the property it can either be worked by the owner or placed in the hands of corporation for the purpose of allowing it to be mined. The property can either be purchased or leased by individuals or corporations, providing that in no case it shall exceed twenty-five hund- red acres. The sale price set by the government is ten dollars per acre.
 New York, April 22.-The Associat- ed Press at its annual meeting yester- day passed a resolution demanding the eradication of the paper trusts by the government, and that wood pulp and newspaper print paper be placed on the free list It also demands a rigid investi gation of the census bur eau on the charge of furnishing con- gress with false figures favoring the paper trust. These charges were made some time ago on the floor of the house and have been repeated, and seemingly in a large measure sub stantated by the American Publish CTS Association. which embraces in it's membership practically all the great newspapers of the United States.
 Seattle. April 22.-Ex- Commissioner of the Land Office Balnger, when in- terviewed today on the subject of the bill to he introduced in congress and touching upon Alaska coal lands, stat ed that the new bill embodied many features that were also contained in the Gale bill. He stated that nearly everything, except the leasing clause, had been provided in the Gale meas ure. The purpose of the measure is to make it permissible for the pres ent Alaska entrymen to sell or lease their holdings. Gales measure mere- ly provided for the sale of the depos it.
 Washington, April 22.-Owing to the difficulty that has been experience ed in the past by the President and the Department uf State in communi- eating with United States Minister Rushell hy cable, which has hcen due to the interference by secret agents oi the Venezuelan government, d war ship was today dispatched for the southern republic and will be used for the purpose of dispatching messages from and to the ambassador.
 Vancouver, April 22.-The Canadian Pacific Railway company is threatened with labor difficulties, having declar- ed for an open shop for all mechanics. Tie various unions to which the en- poyers of the Canadian Pacific be- long, are making active preparation s for declaring strike and it is prob- able strong fight will be carried out against the company.
 Big Rapids, Mich, April 22.-Fire broke out last night in the Mercy Hospit"l and gained headway so rapid ly that it was beyond control before the arrival of the fire department and is total loss. No patients lost theii lives, the sisters in the hospital hero ically fighting through the dense smoke and removing them 10 place of safety.
 New Bedford, April g. Nothing is doing in Massachusetts for Taft. The republican convention was in session yesterday and when the proposition involving the endorsement of candi- date for the presidency came up for consideration, the Taft supporters me with defeat and the delegates wer not instructed
 Washington. April 22.-The annual report from the Postmaster General $ office shows that during the post-office year just closed the cost of maintain ing tie department has amounted to fifteen million dollars more than the proceeds. The amount will be cover ed as usual by an appropriation.
 Los Angeles, April 22.-One of the largest banquets ever given in Los Angeles took place last night and was given in hnor of the officers and crews of the fighting ships. Three thousand five hundred persons were present and the event was marked with great enthusiasm
 San Francisco, April 23.-In connec- tlon with the appeal of in, business interests of northern and western Alaska for the establishment of line of steamers plying between this port and Alaska in competition with the Guggenheim consolidation of shipping .t- L