Arizona republican., 1910-12-07

 der the present laws in large quan- { titles was so great ds to call for their withdrawal, because under the { present provisions it is reasonably | certain that the government will re- ! ceive 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 respect to coal lands in Alaska. l have exercised the full pow CT of withdrawal with the hope that
 the action of congress would follow promptly and prevent the tieing up of the resources of the country in the
 west and less settled portions of An aska, which means stagnation and ii retrogression.
 E The question of conservation is not
 q partisan one. and l sincerely hope that even in the short time Of the ! present session consideration may be
 given to those questions which have now been much discussed and that
 action may be ktaen upon them. | ALASKA.
 | With reference to the government
 of Alaska l have nothing To add to { the recommendations l made in my last message on the subject. am convinced that the migratory charac-
 ter Of population. it's unequal distribu- tion and its smallness of number. which the new census shows 10 be about 50,000. in relation to the enor-
 nous eXpanse of the territory. makes 1 II altogether impracticable to give to those people who are in Alaska today and may not be there a year hence,
 the power tO elect d legislature to govern an immense territory to which they have a relation so little perma-
 nent It is far better for the devel- opment of the territory that it be com
 mitted to commission to be ap- ! pointed by the executive with limited legislative powers sufficiently broad to meet the local needs than to con tinue the present insufficient govern
 ment with few remedial powers. or
 to make popular government where ! there is not proper foundation upon which to rest it.
 The suggestion that the appoint ment of commission will lead to the control of the government by corporate or selfish and exploiting
 interests has not the slightest foun-
 dation in fact Such 6 government worked well in the Philippines and
 would work well in Alaska, and those who are really interested in the proper development of that territory for the benefit of the people who
 live in il and the benefit of the peO- pie of the United States. who own it. should support the institution of such government.
 have been asked to recommend that credit of the government be ex- tended to aid the construction of railroads in Alaska. am not ready now to do so. | great many mill lions of dollars has already been ex- pended in the construction Of at least two railroads. and if laws be passed providing for the proper develop ment Of the resources of Alaska, es- pecially for the opening up of the coal lands. l believe that the capital al- ready invested will induce the in- vestment of more capital. sufficient to l complete the railroads building and to furnish coal not only to Alaska. l but to the whole Pacific coast The 1 passage of law permitting the leas- ing of government coal lands in | Alaska after public competition. and | the appointment of commission for | the government of the territory. with | enabling powers to meet the local | needs. will lead to an improvement in | Alaska and the development Of her resources that is likely to surprise | the country
 NATIONAL PARKS.
 Our national parks have become so | extensive and involve so much detail | of action in their control that it seems to me there ought to be legis- lation creating a bureau for their care and control. The national wonder Of | this country and surrounding territory | should he included in another na- tional park l refer to the Grand | Canyon of the Colorado
 PENSIONS.
 The uniform policy of the gov ernment in the matter of granting pensions to those gallant and devoted men who fought to save the life cf the nation in the perlous days of the !, great civil war has always been of the II most liberal character Those men are now rapidly passing away To the II man who risked everything on the field Of battle to save the nation i'm II the hour of its direst need We owe a debt which has not been and should not be computed in begrudging or spirit. But while We should be actuated by this spirit to the soldier himself. care should he exercised not to go tO absurd lengths or distribute the bounty of the gov ernment to classes of persons who may at this late day. from a mere nercenary motive. seek to obtain some legal relation with an old vet eran now tOttering on the brink of he grave. OF AGRICULTURE.
 The report of the secretary of az -iculture invites attention to the stu pendous value of the agricultural pro lucts of this country. amounting in all to sS.926. .O0O00O for this year This amount is larger than that Of 1909 )y S305. .0O0,00. The existence of such II I crop indicates a good prospect for business throughout the country. An interesting review of the results Of m examination made by the de- Dartment into statistics and prices shows that on the average since 1891 arm products have increased in value z per cent. while the things which he farmer buys for use have in-