The Barre daily times. (Barre, Vt.) 1897-1959, 1909-11-09
Demands Legislation to Pro-
tect Peoples Interest
COAL AND WATER POWER
Present Laws Are Inadequate-calls on
All Americans, in Name Of National
Conservation Association, to Rally
Against Monopoly

New York, Nov. eDr Charles W.
Eliot as president Of the National Con-
seryation association yesterday author
lied statement on the danger Of mo.
nopolistie 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 Amsrican people and deals
particularly with the much discussed
question 81 the coal fields 81 Alaska and
sheds new light On that situation
The statement + as foilows:
"The National Conservation associa-
ton i convinced Of the urgent need Of
immediate measures TO prevent the con-
troll Of the great sources Of heat and
mechanical power ia the United States
from being seized bg monopolistic or.
ganizati0ns and to secure the best de-
Felopment OF the sources Ii the interest
Of the people
These sources are water falls and
coal. Under the existing laws, the wis
est Development il practically impossible
The following statement describes the
situation with respect 70 coal lands:
The present coal land law attempts
TO prevent coal monopoly by requiring
small entries by claimants who intend
10 develop the mines for their own bene-
at. But the law fails Of its object and
in other respects does not protect the
public interest Since, however the ex.
isting law. inadeqnate though it i, af-
lords the only protection which the pub
lie now has, the few provisions should
be vigorously enforced.
The coal lands are in danger Of
monopoly under the present Inadequate
law The territorial possessions Of
Alaska are estimated to contain Is mill
lion tens. which viii remain the heritage
Of the people But bad as Is the general
coal land law of the United States, that
Of Alaska j. even worse, for there the
government il absolutely limited to a
charge of 10 dollars an acre, which.
according 70 a public statement BY the
director Of the United States geological
survey, is less than one tenth Of the
real value Of these coal lands
There are already about 800 entries
in the Alaska coal field. II Is true that
the field was recently withdrawn from
entry, but The legality Of that WITH.
drawal has been questioned. Even If
the 900 existing claims now coming to
trial should BE- declared fraudulent. new
claimants may Gle on those lands under
the original provisions Of the existing
law without restriction against menap
oly and waste and without other neeas.
sary provisions
1--WE have urged the present admins
iration 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 2s, that
our request viii be granted
There IS limit, however. beyond
which such delay cannot 20. Should
Congress fail to act at the coming ses.
sion i Is possible that the opportunity
10 obtain adequate legislation for the
coal lands still IN possession Of the Unit
ed States win be lost.
THE situation with respect To water
power development i substantially sim.
liar To that with respect to coal
1--WE. therefore. appeal To The American
people e bring the urgent needs Of The
situation to The attention Of their repre.
sentatiYes in Congress-"