Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1910-09-05
President Roosevelt's Order.

On November Il. 1903 President Roose-
welt issued an executive order withdraw
ing all coal lands from location and en-
try In Alaska. On May IS, 1907, he modi-
ned the order 80 as to permit valid loca-
lions made prior to the withdrawal on
November IL. 1906, to proceed to entry
and patent. Prior to that date some 0OO
claims had been filed. most OF them said
10 De Illegal because either made fraudu-
iently by dummy entrymen in the inter-
est OF one individual or corporation. or
because or agreements made prior to To-
cation between the applicants TO cooper
ATE In developing the lands. There are
thirty-three claims for 16O acres each.
known as the Cunningham claims which
are claimed TO be valid on the ground that
they were made by an attorney for thirty
three different and bona fde claimants
VINO. as alleged. paid their money and
took the proper steps to locate their en-
tries and protect them. The representa-
tlves or the government In the hearings
before the land Office have attacked the
vahdity or these Cunningham claims on
the ground that prior to their location
there was an understanding between the
claimants to pool their claims after. they
had been perfected and unite them in one
company. The trend OF decision seems to
show that such an agreement would in
validate the claims. although under the
subsequent law Of May Is 1905 the con-
solidation OF such claims was permitted
after location and entry. in tracts of 2 $50
acres. 1t would be, Of course imnroner
for me to intimate what the result NJ the
issue as to the Cunningham and other
Alaska claims is likely to be, but IL ought
TO be distinctly understood that no pri
vate claims for Alaska coal lands have as
vet been allowed or perfected, and also
that whatever the result as TO pending
claims, the existing coal land laws OF
Alaska are most unsatisfactory and
should be radically amended.
n oUfp with
the land Is a fiat rate Of $40 per acre. al
though, as we have seen, the estimate OF
the agent Of the geological survey would
carry UP the maximum OF value to $500 n
acre. In my judgment 1t Is essential in
the proper development OF Alaska that
these coal lands should be opened, and
that the Pacific slope should be given the
benefit OF the comparatively cheap coal of
fine quality which can be furnished at a
reasonable price from these fields: but the
public. through the government, ought
certainly to retain wise control and in
terest in these coal deposits. and 1 think
il may do so safely IL Congress will
authorize the granting OF leases as al
ready suggested for government coal
lands In the United States, with proyi-
sions forbidding the transfer Of the leases
except with the consent of the govern
ment. thus preventing their ACQUISITION by
a combination or monopoly and upon linn
itations as to the area to be included in
any one lease to one individual. and at
a certain moderate rental. with royalties
upon the coal mined proportioned to the
market value OF the coal either at Seattle
or at San Francisco. OF course such
leases should contain conditions reQuir-
ing the erection Of proper plants the
proper development by modern mining
methods Of the properties leased, and the
use OF every known and practical means
and device for saving the life Of the min
ers.
The government of the United States
has much TO answer for in not having
given proper attention to the government
OF Alaska and the development Of her re-
sources for the benefit OF all the people of
the country. / would not force deyelop-
ment at the expense Of present or fu-
ture waste OF resources; but the problem
as to the disposition OF the coal lands for
present and future use can be wisely and
safely settled In one session IL Congress
gives II careful attention.