The Fargo forum and daily republican. [volume] (Fargo, N.D.) 1894-1957, 1909-12-03
6ALLINGER's REPORT.


watched for as has been the one which
Mr.. Ballinger publishes today. This is
due not only to the Importance of the
matters dealt with but to the unusual
interest kindled by the controversy
which has been raging, in the press
and at public meetings, over the policy
OF the new administration respecting
what remains OF the national domain.
We have had a whole series of charges
and reJoiners. Subordinates of the
president have been almost literally
flying at each others threats. The dis
pute went sucn lengths of bitterness
that Mr.. Taft himself was finally COM
PEELED to take notice Of It.; and in his
long and clear review of the points at
issue he definitely referred to Secre-
tary Ballinger's forthcoming report as
a document which would cover the
whole case in a way to satisfy all
reasonable men.
1T would be too much to expect that
the actual report will make an end Of
the controversy, but it is only fair to
say that on the main question it is
strong and satisfactory After reading
what Secretary Ballinger sets down
NbSN& L6Sto anu pOilSICS TO the
conservation Of water sources, 1t will
not be possible longer to assert that
there is a quiet official conspiracy on
foot to ALLEVIATE to the public harm
public lands which are capable of being
used to develop water power. The
secretary, OF course with the presi-
dents approval, goes so far as to con-
tend that such lands should never be
patented to any private owners what
ever-whether individuals or compan-
ies-but should be held in perpetuity
by the government. This policy, which
we heartily commend, is not intended
to eliminate private development Of
these resources, but the plan is to
grant only easements on the land, I'M
der long term leases, and not further
to allow sale and ownership outright.
Obviously, If a water power trust has
been, as alleged, scheming to secure
for itself all the shores Of streams In
the northwest, it must now consider
its plans frustrated by the interior de-
partment.
Indeed, so thoroughgoing is the pro-
ject OF control and regulation which
Secretary Ballinger outlines, that we
shall probably hear many cries of pro-
test from western congressman, and it
may be from western people. They will
say that the terms laid down are SO
onerous that no one will undertake to
meet them, and so that these I'M
touched lands will not be taken up
and improved. The seven specifica-
lions which the secretary thinks con-
gress should put into the law covering
lands that may be used for water
power or reservoirs, embody such
rigid provisions for entry fees, inspec-
ton, and forfeiture that many will as
sert that, in attempting to prevent
abuses, all private investment and de-
velopment have been discouraged. But
that will be for congress to decide. AS
the president promised, the whole
matter Is sharply placed before those
VINO frame the laws. 1t is for them to
write the laws about land into the law
OF the land. In the long run, the pres
ident and his cabinet can only execute
what they decree. The Withdrawals of
public land from entry are only provi-
sional, only until congress shall de-
termine what is to be done with them.
Secretary Ballinger's citations from
the official records show, as President
Taft said they would, that no land
whatever available for power sites has
been restored to public entry by this
administration. The suspensory power
Of the government has been duly exer-
cised. It Is now time for the law
making power to do it's work.
The. secretary's report further calls
upon congress to amend the laws re-
lating to the classification of public
lands. They are too roughly or vague
ly defined in existing statutes. Much
deception and fraud have arisen from
as timber lands areas which
were really desired for mining. Mr..
Ballinger urges that the law be made
to describe public lands according to
their greatest apparent USE" as made
evident by the studies Of the geological
survey. Far preaching, too, is his
that in connection
with coal lands, the right to mine be
separated from the title to the soil.
We may also mention the secretary
asking for an appropriation to cover
the cost of surveying the railroad
grant lands In national forests. He
enumerates over 5000. 600 acres of UNI
surveyed lands, which, because they
have not been surveyed, are not sub
ject to local or state taxation. In this
way, asserts Secretary Ballinger, an
annual donation" OF about $500, 900 is
made to these timber land owners. He
would. therefore, have congress order
the lands SURVEYED at once, and inn
pose lien upon them for reimburse
ment OF the cost of the work.
Outwardly and formally, then, we
must conclude that the secretary of
the interior has made a full answer
to those VINO have been alleging that
he was secretly In collision with land
grabbers and monopolists. There is
sense, however, in which no answer
has been made, and none can be made
IN writing. A vast amount Of discre-
ion IL necessarily reposed by the laws
IN the secretary Of the interior. I'm
nense property rights are constantly
coming before him for adjudication.
and ne may, all the time within the
et.er or the statute, turn the scale in
to the side of injustice or bad
public policy. Hence the urgent need
1f having secretary whose bearing
and reputation are such that fraud
shrinks from his presence and charges