Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1909-11-09
President Eliot Points Out
Dangers Of Monopoly
Wise Development Impossible
Under Present Laws.
As Head Of Conservation Associa-
ton He Appeals to Americans.

president of the National Conservation
Association today authorized statement
on the dangers of monopolistic control
OF the sources of power in this country,
which is declared to be urgent. The
statement is in the form of an appeal to
the American people and deals particu-
larly with the much-diScussed question
of the coal fields Of Alaska and sheds
new light on that situation. The state
ment is as follows:
THE National Conservation Associa-
ton is convinced of the urgent need of
immediate measures to prevent the con-
troll of the great sources of heat and me-
chanical power in the United States from
being seized by monopolistic organiza-
tons and secure the best development
of the sources in the interest of the
people. These sources are waterfalls
and coal.
Under the existing laws, the wiSeSt de-
velopements is practically impossible.
The following statement describes the
situation with respect to coal lands: "the
present coal land law attempts to pre-
vent coal monopoly by requiring small
entries by claimants who intend to de-
'N''p 'iiS iiilltS lci tiItiI oNIi DtIlcut.
But the law fails of it's object, and in
other respects does not protect the pub
lie interest. Since, however. the exist
ing law. Inadequate though it is, affords
the only protection which the public now
have, its provisions should be vigorously
enforced
The coal lands in the possession of
the United States arc being rapidly alb
sorbed under the present inadequate law.
The great fields of Alaska. estimated to
contain 15.000.0OO,0OO tons, still remain
the heritage Of the people. But bad as
is the general coal lands law of the
United States that of Alaska is even
worse for there the government is abso-
lutely limited to charge of $40 an acre.
which according to a public statement by
the director of the United States geolog
ical survey, is less than one-tenth of the
real value of thes coal lands.
There are already about 900 entries
in the Alaska coal field. 1t is true that
the field was recently withdrawn from
entry, but the legality of the withdrawal
has been questioned. Even if the 900
existing claims now coming to trial
should be declared fraudulent, new
claimants may file on these lands under
the original provisions of the existing
law without restriction against monop-
oily and waste, and without other neces-
sary provisions.
I'VE have urged the present admins
tration to postpone for the common
good, the trial of these claims, and we
have no doubt, in view of the facts and
the policy of the administration as de-
clared by President Taft, in his speech
at Spokane, WASH on Sept 2Sth, that
our request will be granted.
There is limit, however, beyond
which such a delay cannot go. Should
Congress fail to act at the coming ses-
sion, it is possible that the opportunity
to obtain adequate legislation for the
coal lands still in the possession of the
United States will be lost.
1.-THE situation with respect to water
power developement is substantially
similar to that with respect to coal
I'VE therefore appeal to the American
people to bring the urgent needs of the
situation to the attention Of their rep
resentatives in Congress"