Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1910-01-11
Appraisal of the Public
Domain is Progressing

times what it was under the old max
imums.
Two parties have been at work in
the great phosphate deposits of Wy
oming, Idaho and Utah, which are of
almost priceless value for fertilization
purposes, albeit their full significance
as national resource Is not yet pop
ularly appreciated. 1t is found that
this great bed Is not continuous and
approximately uniform, as was once
supposed; and it's value has been con-
siderably reduced, just as the valua-
ton of the coal lands has been in
creased, under close survey. But new
ertheless the belief is now more firmly
fixed than ever that this is the great
est phosphate deposit in America and
very possibly in the world. These lands
are being very carefully valued,
against the possibility, for which
strong hopes are entertained, that the
laws may shortly be so amended that
they may be made subject to disposal
on some basis which will be somewhat
commensurate with their actual value.
This Is not the cause at present. Leg
islation as to the phosphate and the
water powers is, indeed, regarded as
the most pressing necessity, at TINS
time.
The oil and gas Of the public domain
are now mainly in Wyoming and
California; and they are ALREADY
known to be of immense value. The
necessity OF legislation, as early as
possible, for their better protection,
has recently been made the subject of
special consideration and report by the
division having charge of their valua-
tiond and classification.
Besides the major deposits in Wy
oming and California, very consider
able oil and gas areas are under sur
vey in Utah, Colorado and New Mex
leo. During the last two years there
have been Withdrawals from entry OF
about 100000 acres of oil and gas
lands; these coming down to as re-
Gently as 9 fortnight ago, when on tel
| egraphic adVices from party in inc
field considerable addition areas lr
both California and Wyoming were
Withdrawn.
All the Withdrawals are made pend
ing legislation. Whether they will be
continued indefinitely, or indeed car
be, in the event that legislation fails
is question OF decided interest ant
vast Importance. The advocates q
conservation, fearing the answer t
this question. are especially anxiou!
that necessary amendments to tn
laws be secured this winter. The pres
ident end Secretary Ballinger will boil
state the necessities, in this regard
very forcibly in their annual communi
CdllOnS 10 congress-. III CoHSTeSS, jus
as the stake Is shown to be immense
so will the opposition of private in
terests be intensified. These are highl;
:, organized. 1t Is freely charred tina
they will have in Washington this win
ter one of the most expensive and in
fuential Hobbies that has ever descend
ed on the capital, determined to pre-
. vent legislation which will interfer
with the great projects for the furthe
. transference of the public domains t
/ private and corporate control.
In short, it Is considered certain tina
i the great struggle for the last of tn
e public domain will see it's real begin
$ ming at the coming session, and tha
0 the time will come, in the future, whe
:. 1t will be recalled as the most detern
t ined fight, for the greatest pixie. tha
: was ever controlled by action of til
: national legislation.
e ]. C. WelliYer.