The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1910-12-23
Do Not Want Alaska Coal
Claims Thrown Into
Court.
BELIEVE 1T IS UP
TO ADMINISTRATION
ProgreSSiveS Have Made a Study
of Situation and Reach
Decision

Progressive members Of Congress
who have been studying the Alaska
coal land situation, and who were
inclined to look with favor on Score
tary BaIlinger's recommendation that
the Cunningham claims be thrown
into the courts for decision. are now
prepared to oppose the Secre-ary's
recomm endatfon in the event that 1t
IS Incorporated y. a bill.
This action has been decided upon
after prolonged conferences among
members Of the House and Senate,
lawyers and men prominent IN the
conservation movement In view Of
the fact that President Taft looks
with favor on the suggestion made
by the Secretary Of the Interior. and
because Of the probability that the
Secretary's recommendation viii be
presented for the consideration OF
Congress IN the shape Of q bin or
resolution, 1t Is now regarded as a
foregone conclusion that Congress viii
have right OF considerable proportions
10 determine what disposition shall be
made OF the Cunningham claims.
Members Are Convinced
Prolonged study Of the Alaska situa-
ton has convinced members Of Congress
that the subject is so vast and OF such
faT-reachinE Importance that Congress
cannot afford to have the future at
titude Of the Government IN that coun-
Try decided by a court which viii base
It's decisions on the one hand on a case
presented by the Interior Department
and on the other hand by counsel for
the Cunningham claimants.
These members Of Congress main
tain that the BalIinger-Pinchot inves-
tfEatiOn demonstrated cOucIuSiveIv that
the Interior Department officials are
too closely IN accord on the legal status
Of the Cunningham claims to permit a
presentation OF the case which would
satisfy the country
Entire Country interested.
They point out also that the Alaskan
situation IS now one in which the entire
country is interested; that It is no longer
a question which concerns only the
settlers n the great Northwest, but that
as q field Of untold wealth owned By
the Government il is a matter In which
the whole country Is interested.
For that reason and Tor several others
these conservation members Of Con-
gress do not look with favor on any
proposition looking 10 the transfer OF
responsibility from the Administration
They believe, and they viii contend
in the House and Senate, that the dis
position Of the Alaska coal fields is q
national question Of great magnitude
that Secretary BallinE IS personally and
peculiarly responsible Tor the present
unfortunate status OF these coal lands:
and that the Administration should be
required to deal with the problem
Up to the Administration
IN other words. these members declare
that II is I'D to the Administration 10
work out its own salvation, 50 far as
the Alaska coal lands are concerned
II the Administration blunders then the
people viii have an opportunity 10 ex-
press their disapprOval-
Throwing the matter into the Supreme
Court OF the District OF Columbia would
relieve the Administration from further
responsibility; but II would likewise re
move the subject as a great issue II
the conservation pOllcy-a state Of at
fairs which conservationists do not want
10 see brought about