The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1910-11-07

secrrtar, Baiiingrr Holds Congress Re.
.psOsiblr for Not Opening Them.

WASHINGTON. Nov q Charging that
special manufact iring. transport alton
and coal interests - IN. Fast who de.
sire to monopolIze the market are re-.
spons,ble for the agi' alton which has pre-
vented the opening Of III. Alaska coal
lands and holding Congress responsible
for its failure To solve the problem pre-
sen, ed and enact laws for the opening Of
the lands. Secretary 81 the Interior Bal
linser TODAY gave frank expression 81
his views IL the importance " develop.
ing ,he coal lands Of Alaska
To my mind a continuation Of the
present situation il the direct antirh"sS
~ rational conservation he said. Con.
slider that for each five tons Of Arlant 10
seaboard coal transported ro the Pacific
coast one ton - used mp IN transporta-
ton. or total waste Of ~ per cent and
Won will see that existing met hods do
not conserve but destroy From an
economic point Of view IL - inrolerabla
that this waste should continue and that
a large region eho'ild he handicapped IN
irs legitimate development and the proper
use of irs resources bv the failure Of IN.
Government properly 10 settle the prob
lem Of how 10 use theee resources n il
most sincerely TO he hoped thai Congress-
will determine carly in III. coming sos
SION the manner in which Alaska coal may
II" taken ont and placed in the markets
II the Pacific coast before thos. markets
are absorbed by foreign importaiIon-
Tn" recent indictments AT Seattle and
Spokane. IN. Secretary SAYS are merely
steps in IN" plans ~ the Department to-
clear UP 'he questions Of title Ia h. coal
lands which were entered before NoNern-
f@- IL, 1919 sine. when all Alaska coal
lands haV. been wit hdrawn from entry
Inc withdrawal. according 10 the Seq
retary, was for the purpose Of permitting
Congress TO de'ermin.. definite policy
10 be followed IN dealing with this re-
source. The great agitation throughout
the country since the withdrawal Of the
lands has retarded tho disposition Of the
question Ivy Congress
In addi-ion 70 questioning IN. accuracy
~ the statements on which he SAYS the
final disposi' on Of tho Alaska Goa lands
has been created Secretary Ballnge-
reflects upon the motive behind the aglta-
ton For four years. he says. norhrr
has been done 10 open the Alaska Goa.
lands for Use save rhe work of his Depart
rn.ur IN attempting 10 determine the rights
Of claimants who entered the lands whIl.
thew were open
douht ~ the public generally apr
riat@s the great injury and .,conom,,.
n tho present situation" said Secretary
Ballinger. For number of years W.
nav" known Of IN" existence Of large
bodies OF high grad" coal in Alaska the
only coal in American possessions on III"
western shores Of the continent
Anthracite coal - a necessity 70 the
'rads and commerce Of thu Pacific coast
luit" an much as ~ is 10 the trad, and
Of the Atlantic Thu result
n the non development Of tn" Alaska
roal lands haa been that larR' quaint
ties Of Atlantic coast coal have been
shipped 10 the Pacific for us" Tn.
Cnifed States navy. for instance" -
obliged TO send from IN. Atlantic IN
he Pacific NOR" than quarter 81 a
million tons annually. AZ total expense
10 ths Government Of approximately
y 900 600
Mr. Rallinger charges thar tn" lack
~ cheap fuel on IN" Pacific coast ~ re-.
arding manufacturing III that section /,
md that twithstanding IN. prox. !
NIFTY OF large deposits Of iron ore and |
'oal all tn" structural steel required |
IN ths coast comes from east of the Mis- |
,isspp,