The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1910-12-07

wise. with suitable provisions against as
signment TO prevent monopolistic com
binations. Or. that the law sinai provide
that upon application made BY the author,
site is situated. IL may be patented to Inv
state on condition that the state shaI
dispose of it under terms Ike those 1us'
described, and shall enforce those terms,
or upon failure to comply with the con.
dition the waterpower site and all the piaht
and Improvement on the site shall be Tor
seited and revert to the United States. the
President being given the owe to declare
the forfeiture and to direct legal proceed
lngs for Its enforcement Either OF these
methods would. I think. accomplish the
power sites. but one or the other saou!o
be promptly adopted.
Bills are pending in Congress proHlding
that whenever the State authorities deem
a waterpower useful they may apply to
the government of the United States for a
grant to the state of the adjacent land
for a waterpower site. and that this grant
from the Federal government TO the sta.e
shall never part with the title to the
waterpower site or the waterpower, but
| shall lease 1t only for a term of years no.
exceeding fifty. with provisions In the lease
by which the rental and the rates for
which the power is furnished to the pub
lie shall be readjusted at periods less than
the term of the lease, say, every Ten years
The argument Is urged against this dis.
position of power sites that legislators and
state authorities are more subject to COZ,
! porate influence and control than Would
be the central government; In reply 1t is
claimed that a reimbursement OF the terms
of leasehold every ten years would Sc,
cure to the public and the state Just anu
, equitable terms. In my judgment either
Of the plans proposed could be made to
work satisfactorily, and ] submit the whole
matter to Congress with the Recommended
ton that one or the other be promptly
adopted.
10 p - a,,rra E1innn "a Can proQC A that
at this session general conservation legis-
lation Of the character indicated be adopted.
At its last session this Congress took most
useful and proper steps In the cause oil
conservation by allowing the Executive,
Through withdrawals. to suspend the action
of the existing laws In respect to much
of the public domain. AYE not though,
in the United States under the present
laws In large quantities was so great as
to call for their withdrawal. because under
the present provisions 1t is reasonably GER
tain that the government will receive the
real value OF the land. But. In respect &c
oil lands. or phosphate lands. and of ga.
lands in the United States. and in respect
to coal lands in Alaska. l have exercised
1.-The full power of withdrawal with tbs
hope that the action of Congress would
up of the resources of the country in the
Western and less settled portion and ir
Alaska, which means stagnation and retro
gression.
The question Of conservation is not 9
even In the short time of the present
session consideration may be given to those
questions which have now been much dis
cussed, and that action may be taken upor
them.
Alaska.
With reference to the government OF
Alaska. ! have nothing to add to the rec
Il concentrations l made in my last message
on tho subject. I am convinced that The
migratory character of the population, IL
unequal distribution and It's smallness o
number, which the new census shows t'
be about 10000. in relation TO the enorm9ul
expanse of the territory. make 1t altogetltrl
impracttcahe TO give to those people wht
are in Alaska to-day and may not be
there a year hence, the power to elect
Legislature to govern an Immense TERRITORY
to which they have a relation SO little per
manent.
The suggestion that the appointment o
a commission will load to tho control of III,
government by corporate or selfish am
exploiting interests has not tho slightcs
Foundation In fact.
Y have been asked 10, m tina
tho credit Of the government be EXTENDED
to aid the construction of railroads Il
Alaska, Z am not ready now to do so
A great many millions OF dollars have al
ready been expended IN the construction. Q
at least two railroads and II laws be passe,
the resources OF Alaslsa, especially. fol
the opening up Of the coat lands. be
will induce tho Investment OF more capl
tai, sufficient to complete the railroad
building, and to furnish cheap coal no
only to Alaska but to the whole Paelfl
n coast.
National Parks.
Cur national parks have become 30 w
tensiye and Involve SO much detatl OF &C
ltion In their control that ~ seems TO m
AlSthare ought TO he legislation creating y
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