The daily telegram. [volume] (Clarksburg, W. Va.) 1901-1926, 1910-12-06


han iie term otst - -
ssly every ten yeilrs.
due aFInflent Is urged agalnst this
siistsosftion OF power sites that feEis-
iatofS ana state anthorities are more
subject to corporate influence ana CON
trol than would be the central govern
ment. In reply It IS claimed that q ~
iadjnstment Of the terms OF leasehoid
every ten years would secure 20 the
public and the state just and equita-
bile terms.
In my Judgment either of the plans
proposed could be made TO work sat
isfactorily, and submit the whole
matter to congress with the recommen-
dRtion that one or the other be PROMPT
Is adopted
j earnestly urge upon congress that
at this session general conservation
Legislation OF the character indicated
be adopted. At IT'S last session this
congress took most useful and proper
steps in the cause OF conservation by
allowing the executive through with
dra walls to suspend the action OF the
existing laws In respect to much OF the
nublic domain. / have not thought
that the danger OF disposing OF coal
lands 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 ls reasonably certain that the gov
crnment viii receive the real value OF
the land. But in respect to oil lands
or phosphate lands and of gas lands
in the United States and in respect to
coal lands In Alaska 1 have exercised
the full power of withdrawal with the
hone that the action OF congress would
follow promptly and prevent that ty7
ing IN of the resources OF the country
in the western and less settled portion
and in Alaska which means stagna-
tion and retrogression.
The question Of conservation is not
a partisan one, and ! sincerely hope
that even in the short time of the pres
Ont session consideration may be given
to those questions which have now
been much discussed and that action
may be taken upon them.
Alaska
With reference to the government
of Alaska. have nothing to add to
the recommendations l nlade In my
last message on the subject am
convinced that the migratory charac-
fer OF the population. Its unequal dis
tribution and its smaIlness OF num-
her. which the new census shows 70
be about 10000, In rela ton To the enor-
NOUS expanse of the territory make
II altogether impracticabIe to give to
those people who are in Alaska today
and may not be there year hence
the power to elect a legislature to gov
ern an immense territory TO which
they have Il relation SO little perma-
ment, 1t is far better for the devel-
81, = fNfa
nttted TO a commission TO be appoint
ed by the executive. with limited leg
islatiYe powers sufficiently broad to
meet the local needs. than to continue
the present insufficient government,
with few remedial powers, or to make
a popular government where there ls
not proper foundation upon which to
rest 1t.
The suggestion that the appointment
of commission Will lead to the con-
troll OF the government by corporate
or selfish and exploiting interests has
not the slightest foundation In fact.
Such government worked well in
the Philippines and would work well
in Alaska. and those who are really
interested In the proper development
of that territory for the benefit OF the
people who live in It and the benefit OF
the people OF the United States, who
own it. should support the institution
OF such a government.
have been asked to recommend that
the credit OF the government be extend
ed to aid the construction of railroads
in Alaska. 1 am not ready now to do
so. A great many millions of dollars
have already been expended In the
construction OF at least two railroads,
and II laws be passed providing for the
proper development OF the resources
of Alaska, especially for the opening
up of the coal lands, / believe that the
capital already invested win induce
the Investment of more capital, sufff-
Gent to complete the railroads building
and to furnish cheap coal not only to
Alaska, but to the whole Pacific coast
Tie passage OF law permitting the
leasing OF government coal lands IN
Alaska after public competition and
the appointment of commission for
tile government Of the territory with
enabling powers to meet the local
needs will lead to an Improvement in
Alaska and the development of her re-
sources that is likely to surprise the
country.
National Parks.
Our national parks have become so
extensive and involve so much detail
Of action in their control that 1t seems
to me there ought to be Legislation ere
A.. nd