The Paducah evening sun. [volume] (Paducah, Ky.) 1906-1929, 1910-12-09
BALLINGER SAYS
LET COURTS HAVE
ALASKAN CLAIMS
Secretary Of Interior Ready
10 Wash Hands Of Cunning
ham Case.
Has 0. KID No Entries in That
Territory.
REPORT FROM INTERIOR DEPT.

tAItllIlNNOUs lfttIs ts--lU ulN M
nnai report. just made public, Secre-
taiy Ballinger Of the department OF
the interior deyotes n large amount
OF space 10 public land problems.
After rcciting the history OF the
public domain and giving statistics
10 show that there is now remaining
unappropriated and unreseryed III
$50. t0s acres OF public land in con-
unental United States and Alaska.
the sccretary ays:
For nearly 40 years the statutes
have declared that all available min
eral deposits in lands belonging to
the United States. both surveyed and
unmrveyed, are 20 be free and open
TO exploration and purchase. and the
lands In which they are found 10 oc-
cupation and purchase by citizens OF
the United States and those who
have DECLARED their intention to be-
come such. Rich deposits OF
precious metals In the Pacific states
and territories have been discovered
and heated under these general min
ing laws and have been operated for
many year..
Gmn'ing defects IN the laws. they
have accomplished their purpose In
causing the mineral resources 10 be
DEVELOPED and have thus contributed
enormously 10 the wealth OF the ma
ton. II Is hardly rcasonable 20 he
iieye that any material change viii
be made In these laws or OF the
method OF disposal OF the lode and
placer claims OF the mineral regions
Here. az IN the settlement laws. the
governments liability has had Il re-
ward In the material prosperity Of
the people, and while abuses have
existed. they cannot be charged so
much to the law as to evasaons OF
the law.
Today's Problem.
Under more conservative theories
the question now Is OF saving the
remnant OF the public lands from
monopol'satlon or misuse without
Hardening the old policies OF en-
ccunglng development The highest
productive use OF these lands II the
concern OF the people. The methods
OF securing this use are the concern
OF national aud state governments.
by the constitution the congress is
made the steward of the public do
main and for It's afterwardshlp 81 Is
responsible to the people. The execu-
tive can move only as directed or
authorized by congress In selling or
otherwise disposing OF this national
estate: therefore all questions relat-
Ing TO a change from the existing
status OF OF policy over this estate
resides alone In the legislative
branch OF the government. and all
popular movements looking to the
reformation Of our land system must
OF course be addressed to the con-
gress. Consequently the movement
TO conserve the national resources in
this national estate of lands-that Is
TO sccune the wisest and most lasting
benefit to the nation in their Use
Is a matter with which congress must
deal
New or amendatory legislation re-
spectng our public lands should be
direct. simple. effective. and relate
principally TO the proper form of dis
position Of the withdrawn lands
waier-power sites, oil lands, coal
lands, and rights OF way over public
lands.
Alaska Coal Cases.
All the coal lands in Alaska not
located prior to November 12. 1906,
are under the mond OF Withdrawals.
Those located prior to said date are
for the most part under depart
mental investigation on charges of
fraud or irregularities. etc. These
Investigations have been taken up
urder a corps of trained officers with
the view OF recurring the exact status
Ct all such locations and entries. In
the meantime no patents have issued
and none viii be issued except upon
fun showing of compliance with
Jaw and departmental regulations.
A class OF entries. known as the Cum
ningham entries. made in 1907. have
provoked wide discussion and pouu-
lar interest, largely because Of their
alleged value and method OF attempt
ed acquisition.
In view OF such conditions deem
II OF the highest Importance that all
these cases. involving 33 entries, or
$3.50 acres, OF coal lands. be trans-
ferred from the jurisdiction of the
general land office directly to the
court of appeals of the District of
Columbia for consideration and adj
judication, without the necessity of
a ruling as to the validity or invalid
ity of these entries by the commits
sioner of the general land Office as Is
now required In such oases. rhis