Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1910-11-07
Gives Out Statement in
Regard to Coal Lands.
.BIames Agitation for the In
action Of Congress.
He Thinks the Interests" Favor
the Reservation Idea.

Washington, Nov 6.-Blaminr the
agitation which has been rife through
out the country since the withdrawal
of all Alaskan coal lands in 1906. as
the cause of keeping the whole ques-
ton confused and also for the inaction
of Congress, Secretary of the Interior
Ballinger tonight made public a
| lengthy statement in the form Of an
interview, in which he assails those
who have charged him with being an
| opponent of conservation and blames
them fer the unsettled conditions in
Alaska.
The statement was brought out by
the recent indictments in Washington
against Alaska coal claimants. OF
these the secretary says that they
are but further steps in the effort
which is being made by the govern
ment to clear up and settle this whole
question"
Since the withdrawal order was
made to enable Congress to decide
upon a definite policy of dealing with
this resource, the secretary says
there has been throughout the coun-
try much agitation regarding Alaska
coal-an agitation large part OF
which IS based on false statements.
Whatever mas been the motive behind
the agitation it has resulted in keeping
the whole question unsettled and is
largely blameable for the inaction of
Congress"
The secretary points out that there
are two essentials for clearing up the
situation as follows:
"O)--An early prosecution and dis
position of the pending cause. involv-
ing charges of fraud and conspiracy
against existing claimants, and
"(2)-CoEgressional action definitely
deciding the manner in which Alaskan
coal may be acquired"
AS the Pacific coast is obliged to
draw it's goods from the Atlantic coast
tie secretary says the charge has
arisen that the interests are the
beneficiaries of the policy which pre-
vents the opening up of large fuel
deposits.
There has been much talk" Secre-
tarv Ballinger continues. "of the in
terests' opposing that so-called con-
servation which makes for reservation
rather than use. but as a matter Of
fact the interests naturally favor.
rather than oppose. the reservation
and non-uSe idea"
The secretary points out that Mex
lean coal can be delivered at San
Francisco at 81 ton while a rail-
road in Alaska is compelled to pay
$12 a ton.
ITO my mind a continuation of the
present situation is the direct anthi-
thesis of rational conservation" the
secretary continues.
IN
Atlantic Seaboard coal transported to
the Pacific coast. one ton Is used up
in transportation or a total waste of
20 per cent. and you will see that
existing methods do not conserve but
destroy.
From an economic point of view it
is intolerable that this waste should
continue and that large region
should he handicapped In Its legiti-
mate development and the proper use
of its resources Nv the failure of the
government properly to settle the
problems Ct how to use these re-
sources.
1T is most sincerely to be hoped
that Congress will determine early in
the coming session the manner in
which Alaska coal may be taken out
and placed in the markets Of the Pa
cItic coast before those markets are
absorbed by foreign importations.'