The Salt Lake herald-Republican. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1909-1918, 1910-12-09

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direction i'm the bin nov pending in
Congress for the authorization Of APP
pesls in land cases from the interior
department TO that court. I viii have
occasion to discuss further the inpor-
lance or providing method OF appeal
70 the courts from decisions Of the de-
psrtment in land cases.
Revcrting to the condition Of the
public land laws in Alaska. even the
most cursory examination Of them. in
view OF local conditions Of climate. OF
isolation of territory. except as to
ocean transport alton. its vast extent
and lack or hOmOgeneitv. satisfies all
practical mon that they are Cpude and
unsuitcd TO the best interests Of the
government. ON the other hand. eN-
pertments AZ amendment have placed
the ban on development so that prog
ress Is al deadlock. Without domestic
coal in Alaska. railroad construction
ana operation Us prOhtbitive. and with
out both only the toughest pioneer de-
velopment is possible.
In addition to the necessity Of open
ing up and developing coal deposits in
Alaska for railroad operation. IL is
available FOR mining operations and
means OF supplying the navy and
trsns-pacific commerce.
Leasing Coal Lands.
The secretary directs attention TO the
recommendstiOns contained in his re-
port for 1903 for coal land legislation
and quotes from an official statement
made in 1907. wherein some or the dif-
ficultics which would be encountered
IN the operation or a leasing system.
arc pointed out. and again calls sttem-
ton TO the Importance Of cnactinE leg
islztion which would give the depart
rcnt an effective method or DISPOSE ton
Of coal lands. especially in Ala ska
He points out that in Alaska IL IS pos
sible that leasing system could De
adapted 20 the country with efficiency
and with less complication than in the
states. In the states the administra-
tive policy T. 90 seSure by apprsisement
and sale OF the c~al deposits what
would accrue TO the government II the
deposits were mined on royalty basis.
but this Is not possible under existing
Il in Alaska. where the price f. fixed
at = flat acreage rate.
The oil land withdrs walls nov out
standing. Including some private lands
within the exterior limits. aggregate
100000 acres. and are comprised with
IN The states and territories OF Arizona.
California. Colorado. Louisiana. New
Mexico. oregon. Idaho and Wyoming
Leasing OF Lands.
am in favor Of q general leasing
syst en- Of oil and gas-besrinE lands.
such system as will promote legiti-
mate development OF this Industry. pre-
vent monopoly and conserve one OF the
great natural resources Of the country.
TIE oil land OF the Five Civilized
iessinE system. the term Of tho lea Sc
extending as long as oil is found IN
commercial quantities. The lessee US
uallT pays the government for the use
Of the Indian one-eighth I'm value Of
the oil produced at royalty. This sys-
tenn has worked out very satisfactorily
and Is in use I'm many OF the oil regions
OF tne country where land Is held I'm
private ownership and not by the gov
eminent 7 would apply the LEASING
system only to areas withdrawn Tor
= = HrHf HraI
logical survey. The unknown and un-
explored oil lands 7 would leave omen
TO exploration and location. This
would give = reward to the diligent
PrOspector Even then the surround
tug lands could be Withdrawn from
further location after the prospcctor
had secured his first claims.
7 recommend that the government
adopt liberal policy i'm opening the
OIL lands in California. The govern
nent ought to support any movement
which would reduce the enormous cost
OF fuel i'm California. The state ought
20 DO asked TO cooperate with the
goVernnent to prevent the monopoly
OF tho oil business and to cffcctually
secure a reasonable price to the con
sumner. IN my Judgment this can be
accomplished II THE state OF California
should declare the consumption OF oil
2 public use. The state should pass
law 10 this effect. and place the regula-
hands Of a discreet commission
Mster Powers.
There g. now Withdrawn from dis
position. pending legislation concern
inE water-pOwer sites. approximately
100000 acres OF public domain.
IN thc various public-land states and
territories containing watcr-power re-
sources, IN so Tar a. there IS present
market Tor those powers. the title to
areas greater IN extent shan that re-
naming IL the government has long
~irce passed into private ownership.
ana Do must DC rcalizcd that any rad
ca o. burdcuSornc restriction impose
o. vac federal roTcrurncut upon this
resource w'il operate as = Scrvifudc on
~" public sands and discourage their.
DEVELOPMENT ana use
Takirg into cons Iteration The facts
that the states own tho waters I'M the
stream and have noliCe power To eu-
pcrTtsr and control public utilities ID
would seem direct aud effective
method Of control would be TO trustee
tne power sites TO the states fn some
such manner ~ proposed by = hill now
pending In Congress
earnestly advise the adoption or
some legislation which will I'M any
event retain the Zee title 10 the lands
~ she people and cffectuaIIv vest tho
power OF reaulat ton and control in the
state or M the federal government. and
I which VIII not result in limiting
pr"npt and economical DEVELOPMENT ol.
permit 9nonopolization or cxtortfou.