Los Angeles herald., 1910-12-07


would 1 think, accomplish the proper public
purpose In respect to water power sites, but
one or the other should be promptly adopt
ed.
earnestly urge upon congress that at
this session general conservation legislation
OF the character Indicated be made. At It's
last session this congress took most useful
and proper steps in the cause of conserva-
tion by allowing the executive, through
Withdrawals to suspend the action OF the
existing laws in respect to much Of the pub
lo 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 pro-
visions. It is reasonably certain that the gov
ernment will receive the real value OF the
land. But in respect to oil lands, or phos-
phate lands and Of gas lands in the United
States, and in respect to coal lands in Alaska,
have exercised the full power Of with
drawal with the hope that the action OF con-
gress would follow promptly and prevent
that tying UP of the resources OF the coun-
try in the western and less settled portions
and in Alaska, which means stagnation and
retrogression.
The question Of conservation Is not q par
tisan one and 1 sincerely hope that even
in tho short time Of the short session, con-
sideration 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 Alas
ka, have nothing to add to the recommen-
dations 1 made in my last message the
subject I am convinced that the migratory
character Of the population, its unequal de-
velopment and its smallness of number,
which the new census shows to be about
$4,000, in relation to the enormous expanse Of
the territory. mako 1t altogether impractic-
able to give to those people who are in
Alaska today and may not be there year
hence. the power to elect a legislature to
govern immense territory to which they
have a relation little permanent. 1t is far
better for the development OF the territory
that It be committed to a commission to be
appointed by the executive, with limited leg
islative 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 Is not proper foundation upon
which to rest It.
The suggestion that the appointment OF a
commission will lead to the control Of the
government by corporate or selfish and ex-
plotting interests has not the slightest foun-
dation in fact. Such a government worked
well in the Philippines and would work well
in Alaska, and those who really inter-
ested In the proper development Of that ter
ritory for the benefit OF the people who live
In it and the benefit OF the people Of the
United States, who own 1t, should support the
institution OF such a government.
have been asked to recommend that the
credit Of the government be extended to aid
the construction OF railroads in Alaska I
am not ready now to do so A great many
millions OF dollars have been already ex-
pended in the construction Of at least two
railroads, and II laws be lacking providing
for the proDer re tba rasnur,az
Of Alaska, especially for the opening UP OF
the coal lands, I believe that the capital al
ready invested will induce the investment of
more capital. sufficient to complete the rail-
roads building and to furnish cheap coal not
only to Alaska but to the whole Pacific coast
The passage Of law permitting the leasing
Of government coal lands In Alaska after
public competition and the appointment of a
commission for the government OF the terri
tory with enabling powers to meet the To-
cal needs, will lead to Improvement in
Alaska and the development of her resources
that is likely to surprise the country
Pensions
The uniform policy OF the government in
the matter OF granting pensions to those
gallant and devoted men who fought to save
the life of the nation in the perilous days
Of the great civil war has always been of
the most liberal character
These are now rapidly passInR awav
To the men who risked everything on the
field Of battle to save the nation in the hour
of its drest need we owe a debt which has
not been computed in a grudging nor pe-
nurious spirit But while we should be &C.
tuated by this spirit to the soldier himself
care should be exercised not to go TO absurd
lengths nor distribute the bounty of the
government to classes OF persons who may
from mere mercenary motive, seek to OBJ
faf
now tottering on the brink of the grave.
Forest Service
have already referred to the forests OF
the United States and their extent, and have
urged, as do again, the removal of the lin
itation upon the power of the executive to
reserve other tracts OF land In six western
states in which wlendrawal for this purpose
is now forbidden.
The secretary OF agriculture gives a very
full description of the disastrous fires that
occurred during the last summer in the ma
tional forests. drought more intense than
any recorded in the history of the west
had introduced condition into the forests
which made fires almost Inevitable, and loco
motive sparks negligent campers, and in
some cases incendiaries furnished the needed
immediate cause. At one time the fires were
SO extensive that they covered a range of
that standing timber to the value Of $25, 900 900
was destroyed. seventy-six persons in the
employ of the forest service were killed and
many more injured, and regret to say there
is no provision in the law by which the ex-
penses for their hospital treatment or of
their interment could be met out of public
funds
The Red Cross contributed thousand dol
lars and the remainder of the necessasry
expenses was made up by private contribu-
tion, chiefly from the force of the forest
service and its officials. recommend that
suitable legislation be enacted to enable the
secretary of agriculture to relieve the moral
obligations Of the government in this respect.
The motive which prompts men OF a false
civic pride to induce the padding OF census
returns in order to increase the population
of particular city has been strong enough
to lead to fraud in respect to few cities
in this country, and have directed the at
torney general to proceed with all the vigor
possible against those who are responsible
for these frauds They have been discov-
cred and they will not interfere with the ac-
curacy of the census, but 1t is Of the highest
Importance that official inquiry of this sort
should not be embarrassed by fraudulent
conspiracies in some local or private enter
prises.
Bureau of Lighthouses
The reorganization Of the lighthouse board
has effected a very considerable saving IN
the administration, and the estimates for
that service for the present year are $42s 900
less than for the preceding year. The score
tary is now asking for a large sum for the
addition OF lights and other aids to the COM
meroe OF the seas, including a number In