Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1909-11-29
DEFINES HIS POLICY
Secretary BaIIinger Discusses
Rights in Public Domain.
HIS REPORT TO CONGRESS
Coal Deposits, Water Power and
the Reclamation Service.
LANDS IN FOUR CLASSES
Compliments His Predecessors and
Ascribes Awakening to Waste
full Course to Roosevelt.
By WILLIAM F.. CURTIS.

BIZ WILLIAM F.. CURTIS
Written for The Star end the Chicago Record
Herald
Secretary BalIinger will make his policv
concerning the coal lands of Alaska and
elsewhere, water-oower sites, the recla-
nation service and other branches of his
administration of the Interior Depart-
1nent very clear In his annual report to
'ne PRESIDENT. and 1 do not think there
VIII be any cause for criticism. He has
s'oopteo the conservation principles and
pollcv of the recent administration. and
VIII renew the recommendations of Sec
rotary Garfield for legislation by Con-
s'ess winch Will permit of the develop
ihent and utilization of the national re-
sources without delaying or interfering
Win the material progress OF the coun-
Try. Mr.. Ballinger insists, however, that
there shall be definite statutory authority
Tor the policy and the transactions Of his
department and that it shall be fixed and
permanent rather than exposed to future
changes under his successors without the
authority OF the legislative branch Of the
government.
Concerning the coal deposits of Alaska
and other states and territories belonging
10 the government, he thinks that the
most advantageous method of treat ting
them will be found In a measure au-
thorizing their lease or sale subject to
forfeiture for failure to exercise the
rights granted under such reasonab BILE
regulations as may be imposed An ex-
ploration period of at least one year
upon upon a permit basis, at a nominal
applicant the necessary preliminary
knowledge upon which to make the lease
or purchase. and venture the necessary
investment for operation
The maximum area authorized for this
use. he thinks. could safely be made
from three. to five sections Of land; that
is. from 1000 to 5000 acres provided no
greater surface rights be granted than
VIII give proper facilities to reach and
extract the coal deposits.
In Case of Failure.
In case Of the failure Of the lessees
to open and operate the coal deposits
under reasona BILE limitations, and TO
maintain an output reasonably suited to
the deposits and in case of combinations
as to price or Limitation of output, the
title should be forfeited by proceedings
in court for that purpose. Government
mine supervision, he says. would doubt
less be necessary to enforce the condi
tions and limitations under the grant
Secretary Ballinger believes that the
crime and fraud which have been commit
ted in gObbling up coal, oil and gas fields
on the public domain can be prevented by
separating the right to the mines from
the title to the soil. He would have the
surface OF the earth open to entry under
the homestead and other laws according
to it's character, but reserve the mineral
rights for the benefit of the public and
lease them under such terms as will pro-
mote the prosperity Of the territory in
which they are situated, and at the same
time prevent monopoly and extortion.
He would make the coal deposits of
Alaska. wyoming, Utah and other west
ern states, which are worth billions OF
dollars. permanent source Of revenue
to the government by a system of leases
at a certain rate per ton, and would
apply the same rule to the Oil and gas
fields which still belong to the govern
ment.
This Is not new proposition, however.
1t was recommended to Congress by Sec
rotary Garfield, and bill has been pend
ing for some time in both houses to carry
it into effect. In the meantime an order
was issued for the classification and ap-
praisement of the coal lands In the states
and territories other than Alaska under
the authority Of an act of Congress passed
as far back as 1873 which fixes the mini
MUM price for such lands and leaves the
Secretary Of the Interior to determine their
actual value. In view Of the fact that the
laws Of Alaska direct the disposition of
the coal lands in that territory at the
fiat rate Of $40 an acre no such classical
ton or appraisement is there warranted
by existing law.