The Hawaiian gazette., 1909-12-31
Governor Would Have Territory
Placed Under Department
OF Justice.
COAL DEPOSITS ARE VALUABLE
Encouragement Should Be Given
Those Engaged in Their
Development.
(By Associated Press.)

NAShlNulON, II. ", DeCenIueE $50
Early development of the great coal
fields of Alaska in order that States on
the Pacific Slope may be furn;s shed with
a high grade coal at less cost than the
product now brought half way around
the world and that the warships of the
United States Navy in the Pacific may
be provided with frst-class fuel Of
American production, is advocated by
Governor MILFORD B. Hoggatt, of Alas
ka. in his annual report for this year
before being succeeded by Governor
Walter L. Clark.
Recommendations of Importance
made by Governor Hoggatt include the
placing of the Governor under the
authority of the department of justice,
instead of the department of the inte'
rior as at present; fair method OF
disposing of the coal lands of Alaska,
the inspection of the mines by the
United States Geological Survey in or
der to protect workmen, the extension
TO natives of Alaska of the right TO
acquire public lands and to hold and
transmit property, appropriations Tor
aids to navigation and the establish
ment of lighthouse district or sub
district with Il tender.
Encouragement should be given to
those engaged in mining coal in Alas
ka.'' says Governor Hoggatt. "Unless
n way is found to open the coal fields
of Alaska, the population will decrease
and the unknown resources of the coun
try be undiscovered for an indefinite
period Coal mining can be made q
permanent and profitable industry IL
Alaska and the establishment of camps
will aid materially in the development
of its resources. Mining of coal OF
Seward Peninsula would mean mucl
to the people living in that section, a
the cost of fuel under present condi
tions is very high and the consumption
per capita is very great. The minera
is widely distributed throughout Alas
ka and is found to be of very hig
grade in the Matanuska and BerinI
River valleys. Workable deposits ar
also to be found on Seward Peninsula
No titles having been secured to an.
deposits has not been made. Once It'll
20 the lands is given to the loeators
development will follow rapidly, a
transportation seems to be assured
Charges of fraud in the location o
coal lands should be sifted and deter
mined with expedition, and patent
issued to those entitled; and rejectio
of patents promptly made to those VIII
have in any way violated the coal land
laws relating to Alaska and the Unite
States.
Regarding the recommendation h
makes to change the Governor of Alask
from the control of the department q
the interior to the department of jus
tice, Governor Hoggatt says; 9Th
provisions of the act for civil GOV
eminent for Alaska provides that tn
Governor shall have authority to Sc
that the laws of the district are Ell
forced and to require the faithful dit
charge of their duties bv the official
appointed to administer the same. TIL
officials charged with the administri
ton of the laws are under control o
the department of justice, and it woul
appear that if one of the principa
duties of the Governor is to see tina
the officials perform their duties, h
should also be an official of the depart
ment of justice. / have, therefore, I
recommend that legislation to this en-
be enacted. Such "A cuange in the la
will prevent conflict of authority, ten
to the establishment of uniform polio
for the enforcement of law, and lea
to n better administration of the u
fairs of the Territory.
A general law providing for. the sa
of townsites, under supervision of Il
secretary of the interior, with prop
reservation of harbor areas and Liant
for public purposes Governor Hoooa
says should be passed. Without SUI
law" he points out, "eongress al
the interior department win be call'
upon TO support private bills for Il
purchase of townsites. every one
which will have lobby in Washin
ION nttefnntino ia secure its nHsgnpa