The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1910-12-08

our great commercial and manufacturing
consultations in this country; that Is, Of
dismantling unnecessary and inadequate
plants and disseminating their existence
where 1t has been demonstrated that 1t
is Improbable to continue their MAIN.
Ienance at an expense not commensurate.
Peary.
The complete success of our country in
ARCTIC exploration should not email un-
noticed. For centuries there has been
friendly rivalry in this field of effort be-
tween the foremost nations and tive
the iiravest and most accomplished men.
EXped1fions to the unknown north haVe
been encouraged by enlightened govern
ments and deserved honors have been
granted to the daring men who have con-
quoted them. The unparalleled achieve
1nent Of Peary IN reaching the north pole,
aprli :, ls9s, approved by critical examina-
added to the distinction of our navy, to
which he belongs and reflects credit upon
his country. His unique success has re-
ceived generous acknowledgment from
scientific bodies and institutions of learn
ing IN Europe and America. / recommend
hitting recognition by congress of the
Peary.
Appeals In Land Gases.
The secretary of the interior recon-
mends a change of the law in respect to
the pr9cednre in adjudicating claims for
the decisions of the department to the
court OF appeals of the District of Column
pia Tor a judicial consideration of the
rights OF the claimant. This change finds
complete analogy in the present provision
Tor appeals from the decisions of the COM
missioner Of patents. Thu judgments of
the court IN such cases would be of de-
cislVe value to land claimants generally
and to the department of the interior in
the administration of the law, would en-
able claimants to bring INTO court the
hnal consideration of issues as to the title
10 government land and would, 1 think
obviate a good deal of the subsequent TT
lgatloh that now arises IN our western
Lle rouse, having been fayorably report
ed from the committee on public lands.
ana | its enactment.
Conservation Addresses.
In September last a conservation con-
gress was held at ST. Paul, at which 1
delivered an address on the subject of
conservation, SO far as it was within the
jurisdiction and possible action of the
asse2lbledAffom the official records the
statistics and facts as to what had been
done in this behalf in the administration
OF my predecessor and in my own, and
indicated the legislative measures which
!! believed to be wise in order to secure
the use, In the public interest, Of what
remain of our national domain.
There was in this address a very full
discussion of the reasons which led
me to the conclusions stated. For the
purpose of saving in an official record a
comprehensive. resume Of the statistics
and facts gathered with some difficulty
IN that ADDRESS and to avo.d their rope
tltion in the body OF this message, I
venture to make the address an ac-
complaining appendix. The statistics are
corrected to November Is last.
Specific Recommendations.
First, for the reasons stated in the re-
port OF the secretary Of the interior, l
recommend that the law which forbids
his reserving more forest lands in Ore
gor, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Colo
rado and Wyoming be repealed.
Second, that the coal deposits of the
government be leased after advertisement
exceeding 90 years, with a minimum rem
tai and ROYALTIES upon the coal mined, to
be readjqsred every 10 or u years, and
with conditions as to maintenance, which
VIII secure proper mining, and as to
assignment, which will prevent COM
binations or monopolies controlling coal
in any one district or market. u do not
think that coal measures under $500
acres Of surface would be too large an
amount TO lease to any one lessee.
Third, that the law should provide the
same separation in respect to government
and phosphate lands of surface and min
eral rights. that now obtains in coal
lands and that power to lease such lands
upon terms and limitations similar to
those above recommended for coal leases,
with added condition enabling the gov
to regulate and if need be to
prohibit the export to foreign countries
OF the product.
Fourth, that the law should allow a
prospector for oil or gas to have the
right to prospect for two years over a
certain tract of government land, the
right to be evidenced by a license for
which he shall pay a small sum-, and that
upon discovery a lease may be granted
and proper royalties to the government,
and also to conduct of the oil or gas well
in accord with the best method for hus-
banding the supply of oil in the district.
The period of the leases should not be
as long as those OF coal, but they should
contain similar provision as to assign
ment to prevent monopoliStic combina-
lions.
Fifth, that water power sites be direct
after advertisement and bidding, for
!. proper G rental and with afafs a 9 eonl
dition fixing rates charged to the pub
lie for UNITS of electric power, both REV.
tai and rates to be readjusted equitably
every 10 years by arbitration or other
assignment to prevent monopolistic
/ earnestly urge upon congress that at
this session general conservation legis-
lation of the character indicated be
adopted. AT its last session this congress
took most useful and proper steps in the
cause of conservation by allowing the
executive, through Withdrawals, to sus-
pend the action of the existing laws in
have not thought that the danger Of dis
posing of coal lands in the United States
under the present laws in large quaint
ties was SO great as to call for their
withdrawal. because under the present
the government will receive the real
value OF the land. But, in respect to
Oil lands, or phosphate lands, and of gas
lands in the United States. and in re-
spect TO coal lands in Alaska, I nave ex-
ercised. the full power of withdrawal
with the hope that the acton of con-
gress would follow promptly and pre-
vent that tying I'D Of the resources of
the country in the western and less
settled portion and in Alaska. which
means stagnation and retroGression
The question of conservation is not a
partisan one. and l sincerely hope that
even in the short time of the present ses-
si.an consideration may be given to those
questions which have now been nuci
discussed, and that action may be taken
upon them.
Alaska.
With reference to the government of
Alaska. I have nothing to add to the rec
concentrations | made in my last message
on the subject. I am convinced that the
: migratory character OF the population, its
unequal distribution, and its smallness OF
number, which the new census shows to
be about $1,000. in relation to the enor-
nous expanse of the territory, make IT
altogether impracticabie to give to those