Omaha daily bee., 1910-12-07

inNitng competitive bids Tor terms not cN-
ceedlng fifty years, With a minimum rental
and royalties upon the coal mined. TO be re-
adjusted every ten or twelve years, and
with conditions az 10 maintenance which
viii secure proper mining ana as to assign
ment which will prevent combinations TO
mo- opolize control OF the coal In any one
district or market / do not think that
coal measures under $3.50 acres Of surface
would be too large an amount to lease to
any one lessee.
1hird-That the law should provide the
same separation in respect to government
phosphate lands Of surface and mineral
rights that now obtains In coal lands, and
that power to lease such lands upon terms
and limitations similar to those above rec
commended for coal leases with added con-
dition enabling the government to regu-
late, and II need be TO prohibit the export
TO foreign countries Of the product
Fourth-That the law should allow pros
peCtOr for oil or gas to have the right to
prospect for two years over a certain tract
OF government land. the right to be evil
denced by license for which he shall pay
a small sum; and that upon discovery a
lease may be granted upon terms securing
a minimum rental and proper royalties to
the government. and also the conduct OF
the oil or gas well in accord with the best
method for outstanding the supply Of oil
In the district. The period Of the leases
should be as long as those Of coal, but
they should contain similar provisions as
to assignment to prevent monopolisuc COM
binatlons.
Fffth-That water power sites be directly
leased by the federal government, after ad-
verusement and bidding. for not exceeding
fifty years, upon a proper rental. and with
a condition fixing rates charged to the
pubic for units OF electric power, both
rental and rates to be readjusted equit-
ably every ten years by arb tration or 9TH
erwise, with suitable provisions against as
sienment TO prevent monopolistc combina-
tons Or that the law shall provide that
upon application made by the authorities
Of the state where the water power site is
situated, It may be patented to the state on
condition that the state shall dispose of II
Onder terms like those just described, and
shall enforce those terms, or upon failure
to comply with the condition, the water
power site and all the plant and improve
ment on the site shall be forfeited and re-
vert to the United States. the president
being given the power to declare the for
feiture and TO direct legal proceedings for
its enforcement. Either Of these methods
would, think, accomplish the proper pub
Tic purpose in respect to water power sites,
but one or the other should be promptly
adopted.
earnestly urge upon congress that at
this session general conservation legislation
OF the character indicated be adopted. Al
its last session this congress took most
useful and proper steps in the cause OF
conservation by allowing the executive,
through Withdrawals to suspend the action
Of the existing laws in respect to much Of
the public domain. l 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 II is reasonably GER
tain that the government will 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. I have
exercised the full power Of withdrawal with
the hope that the action Of congress would
follow promptly and prevent that tying up
of the resources OF the country in the
western and less settled portion and in
Alaska, which means stagnation and retro
gression.
The question of conservation is not a
partisan one, and l sincerely hope that
even in the short time OF the present ses-
sion consideration may be given to those
questions which have now been much dis
cussed, and that action may be taken upon
them
Alaska.
With reference to the government Of
Alaska, 1 have nothing 20 add 10 the
recommendations made in my last mes
sage on the subject. 1 am convinced that
the migratory character OF the population
its unequal distribution, and its smallness
OF number, which the new census shows to
be about 50,0O0 in rslation~to the enormous
expanse Of the territory make It altogether
impractcable 70 give to those people who
are in Alaska today and may not be there
year hence. the power To elect a legisla-
ture TO govern an immense territory to
which they have a relation so little per-
manent. 1t is far better for the develop
ment Of the territory that It be committed
to a commission TO be appointed by the
executive, with limited legislative powers
sufficiently broad to meet the local needs,
than TO continue the present insufficient
government with few remedial powers, or
to makes popular government where there
Is not proper foundation upon which TO
rest It.
National Parks.
Our national parks have become so extern
sive and involve 80 much detail Of action
in their control that it seems to me there
ought 70 be legislation creating a bureau
for their care and control. The greatest
natural wonder Of this country and the
surrounding territory should be included In
another national park. 1 refer to the Grand
Canyon OF the Colorado.
Pensions.
The uniform policy OF the government In
the matter OF granting pensions TO those
gallant and devoted men who fought 10
save the life Of the nation in the perilous
days Of the great civil war, has always
been OF the most liberal character Those
men are now rapidly passing away. The
best obtainable official statistics show that
they are dying at the rate Of something
over 5000 a month, and, In view OF their
advancing years, this rate must Inevitably,
ia proportion, rapidly increase. To the
man who risksd everything on the field Of
battle TO save the nation In the hour OF
its direst need, we owe q debt which has
not been and should not be computed in a
begrudging or parsimonious spirit But
while We should he actuated by this spirit