The Washington herald. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1906-1939, 1910-02-24

Declaring the American people have
never realized the value of the coal land
deposits of Alaska, which he said are
worth more than SIS, 10. 10000 Senator
Beveridge. OF Indiana, introduced yester-
day two bills which would prevent me
passage Of these lands into the possession
of individuals and provides for their de-
velopment and operation under the lease
system and the payment of royalties 10
the government
Senator Beveridge called attention to
the fact that there recently appeared De-
fore the Senate Committee On Territories
the manager OF the syndicate that owns
valuable coal lands in Alaska, which in
clude members of the firm Of j. P. Morgan
& Co. and he referred TO this testimony
as interesting and startling.
worth Two Billions.
''The testimony OF this voluntary wit
ness of the syndicate" said Senator Bev-
eridge, was that the cash value OF the
coal deposits along the Behring River
alone, which are controlled by the people
he represents. Is S900.00000e gross. The
witness said it would require S70O0o0,OOO TO
product TO the market. leaving profit
10 the syndicate Of s200,00000o. or 30 per
cent The deposits of coal on the Mata-
muska River are worth as much as those
on the Behring River. and conservative
estimate is that these two fields are worth
s.. Oo0. 100000.
'In addition to these two extensive de-
posts there are many more valuable coal
fields in Alaska, the area OF which is esti-
mated at 1857 square miles by the Geo
logical Survey. Their money value runs
into the billions OF dollars. There are a
priceless possession. These enormous de-
posits OF fuel win be presently, II they
are not now. needed for our Pacific Coast
territory, and the time is not far distant
when they will be needed TO supply the
nation.
THE figures I have given here are
those OF the Geological Survey. and the
syndicate corroborates them through its
manager. They are certainly startling
and bring 10 the American people a
realization of their value in a new and
startling way"
Would Lease lands
The DIS introduced By Senator BeYe-
ridge provide for the withdrawal OF all
coal lands In Alaska, made by act of
Congress. 1886. They also provide that
all coal deposits shall be reserved by the
United States and shall no longer pass
into private hands. The government is
empowered to lease the lands under the
terms Of the bill, receiving payment IN
royalties.
Senator Beveridge wanted the bills re-
ferred to the Territories Committee. OF
which he is chairman. but Senator Nell
son. OF Minnesota, objected, and de-
manded their reference TO the Committee
on public Lands. Senator Beverage said
ne would yield now, but that at a later
date he would ask for the reference OF
this and all other measures affecting
Alaska. TO the Territories COMMITTEES. He
stated 1t was certain there would be no
legislation at this session, for a change
in the form OF government Of Alaska
Senator Beveridge also pointed out that
when the statehood bin is out OF the
way, the Territories Committee would have
nothing 70 do but give its tin,e TO Alaskan
matters. and he said 1t would be far bet
ter 20 have one committee rather than
number of them looking after the legis-
lation affecting the territory