The Washington times., 1909-08-14
ROW IS EXPECTED
OVER ALASKA LAND

Il IS now common report that before
the Pinchot-Ballinger row Is ended
there will a mighty airing Of alleged
questionable coal land transactions in
Alaska These are said to involve prop
critics Of enormous value and to come
close home to several persons IN the
highest circles OF Washington official
life
These transactions concern lands in
the Chugatche national forest in Alaska
Secretary Ballinger's course with re-
sDect to them is criticised by his
enemies. and it, remains to be seen
whether justly or unjustly. But in view
OF the intensity Of the struggle that
mas been aroused between Mr.. Bal!ingcr
ana the forest service, IL seems tneVita-
viii have to be uncovered at an early
date. II is probable that Congress will
conclude to look into the matter in or
der to ind out who is right and who Is
wrong
Originally. the difficulty between Fin
chot and Ballinger started over water
power sites. but il has grown 10 vastly
larger proportions The whole qUss-
ton Of policy with respect TO Gun
servation IS involved Aud there s.re
signs that a lot Of politics. is also IN
volved.
Immense Values.
The Alaska coal lands are said TO con-
tain 100000 tons. The value Of this
high-class coal is estimated at 4 quarter
OF billion dollars. Efforts have been
made TO press TO an early patent those
valuable coal lands which are known
as the Cunningham claims. The lands
were entered by hundreds OF separate
entrymen and are said to be sought by
one great combination which would like
TO get grip on them. These properties
are almost indispensable for the great
Northwest and Of the utmost importance
to the navy.
Before the present clash has been
stilled it IS expected there will be a lot
said on both sides about these proper
ties.
The fact that the controversy may
extend its reaches into Alaskan fields
Is the more interesting because OF the
constant allegations that the Morgan
Guggenheim interests are getting into
their powerful grip the most valuable
OF the mining properties in Alaska
IneSe are not merely GOLD but also
coal and other mining properties.
The air is thick with rumoTs about
the ramii1catiOns o. the trouble which
has broken out between the chief for
ester and the Seer, fary of the Interior
=
to whose head is gong 10 fan II is
too early to say this definitely. Bevoud
doubt Secretary Balllnger has a this
time the backing of President Taft.
his critics say he vii not be able TO
retain 1t. OF course If Ballinger. should
20 Land Commissioner bennett would
probably fall and other high officials
IN the Interior Department If Mr.. PIN
chOt goes, doubtless some of his close
associates Ia the Forest Service viii 90
with him.
= Excitement In West.
The affair has caused the greatest
excitement at the Spokane irrigation
congress ana ali through the Far West.
where there is intimate concern with
the affairs of the forest bureau. the
reclamation service, and everything. re-
iating TO the public domains In the ar
rigatiOn congress Pinchot has strong
backing IL Is the understanding that
he does not intend TO resign. If he
leaves the service he will have IN he
forced out, it is though. Doubtless.
he realizes that for the administration
to go 10 the point OF forcing him ont
would evoke a storm of criticism from
the enthusiastic supporters Of conserva-
ton all over the country. Without
doubt, most of the State cOnserya ton
commissions and ali the influences
around them believe thoroughly in PIN
chot
II did not escape notice here TODAY