Kingsbury County independent. (DeSmet, Kingsbury County, S.D.) 1894-1929, 1910-12-16

our great commercial and manufacturing
consultations in this country, that is, OF
dismantling unnecessary and inadequate
plants and disseminating their existence
where It has been demonstrated that IL
is Improbable to continue their main
tenance at an expense not commensurate
TO their product.
Peary.
The complete success OF our country in
Arctic exploration should not remain I'M
noticed. For centuries there has been
friendly rivalry in this field or effort be-
tween the foremost nations and between
the bravest and most accomplished men.
Expeditions to the unknown north nave
been encouraged by enlightened govern
ments and deserved honors have been
granted to the daring men who nave con-
Quoted them. The unparalleled achieve
ment of Peary n reaching the north pole,
April 6, 1903, approved by critical ami
tion of the most expert scientists, mas
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 j
fitting recognition by congress of the
great achievement OF Robert Edwin
Peary.
Appeals In Land Cases.
The secretary of the interior recon-
mends a change of the law In respect TO
the procedure in adjudicating claims for
lands, by which appeals can be taken from
the decisions OF the department to the
court of appeals OF the District of Column
bia for a judicial consideration of the
rights of the claimant. This change finds
complete analogy In the present provision
for appeals from the decisions OF the COM
missioner OF patents. The judgments OF
the court in such cases would be of de-
cisive value TO laa claimants generally
and to the department of the interior in
the administration of the law, would en-
4 I ! Inn 4 90. ngnr Gntn- AaTr fhn
final consideration of issues as to the title
to government land and would, i think,
obvlate a good deal of the subsequent 1T
igation that now arises in our western
courts. The bill is pending, / believe, In
the House, having been favorably report
ed from the committee on public lands,
and l recommend it's enactment.
Conservation Addresses.
In September last a conservation con-
gress was held at st. Paul, at which |
delivered an address on the subject of
conservation, so far as 1t was within the
Jurisdiction and possible action of the
federal government. In that address l
statistics and facts as to what had been
done in this behalf in the administration
OF my predecessor and in my own, and
! believed to be wise in order 10 secure
the use, In the public interest, Of what
remains 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
and facts gathered with some difficulty
in that address and 70 avc.d thcir TeP5-
tition in the body of this message, L
venture to make the address an ac-
~companying appendix. The statistics are
corrected to November Is last.
Specific Recommendations.
First. for the reasons stated IL che &c
port of the secretary OF the interior, L
recommend that the law which forbids
his reserying more forest lands in Ore
gon, Washington, Idaho, Montana, Colo
RADIO and Wyoming be repealed.
Second, that the coal deposits of the
government be leased after advertisement
inviting competitive bids, for terms not
exceeding 90 years, with a minimum rem
re! and royalties upon the coal mined, TO
be readjusted every 10 or II years, and
viii secure proper mining, and as to
assignment, which will prevent COM
binations or monopolies controlling coal
in n one district or market. l 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
4 lit q Tee uldlS anu II ItSu ne 10
prohibit the export to foreign countries
OF the produc
Fourth. that the law should allow a
prospector for oil or gas to have the
right to prospect for two years over q
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
upon terms securing r. minimum rental
am proper royalties to the government,
al also to conduct Of the oil or gas well
in accord with thn hest method fAr hrlG-
banding the supply of Oh 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
not not exceeding so years, upon
a proper rental and with a CON
dition fixing rates charged to the pub
lie for units Of electric power. both rem
tai and rates to be r~eadjusted equitably
every 10 years by arbitration or other
wise, with suitable provisions against
assignment 10 prevent monopolistic
combinations.
I earnestly urge upon congress that at
this session general conservation legis-
lation of the character indicated be
adopted. At It's last session this congress
took most useful and proper steps in the
executive, through Withdrawals, to sus-
pend the action OF the existing avs in
resnect TO much Of the public domain. /
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
provisions IL is reasonably certain that
the government NIL receive the real
value of the land. But, I'm 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 have ex-
ercised the full power Of withdrawal
with the hope that the acton OF con-
gress would follow promptly and pre-
vent that tying UP 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 / sincerely hope that
even in the short time of the present ses-
sion consideration 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
Alaska. / have nothing to add to the rec
concentrations / made In my last message
on the subject. / am convinced that the
migratory character of the population, its
unequal distribution, and it's smallness OF
number, which the new census shows to
be about 5000, In relation to the enor-
nous expanse of the territory, make it
altogether impracticable 10 give TO those
people who are I'm Alaska today and may