The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1910-12-06

eoIteIIea and revert to the United
1855 the president being given the
= 70 declare the forfeiture and to
alrect legal proceedings for tie on
, .SSthent- Either of these methods
C,uiu, think, accomplish the proDer
1o,.-ne purpose in respect to water
sho,s,, SITES, but one or the other
siiouid be promptly adopted
earnestly urge upon congress that
TINS session general conservation
legislation Of the character indicated
De ADOPTED At its last session this
congress tcok most useful and proper
steps IN the cause of conservation by
ailoNlng the executive through with
orawals to suspend the action of the
eNstlng laws in respect to much of the
PUBIC domain. have not thought
tnat the danger Of disposinR of coal
lands In the United States under the
present laws In large quantities was so
great as to call for their withdrawal,
because under the present provisions
1t is reasonably certain that the gov
eminent will receive 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 I have exercised
the full power Of withdrawal with the
nope that the action of congress would
follow promptly and prevent that ty-
Ing up of the resources of the country
In the western and less settled portion
and in Alaska which means stagna-
ton and retrogression.
The question Of conservation is not
partisan one, and I sincerely hope
that even in the short time of the pres
ent session 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, 1 have nothing to add to
the recommendations 1 made in my
last message on the subject. am
convinced that the migratory charac-
ter Of the population. its unequal dis
trfbution and its smallness of num-
Der, which the new census shows to
be about $4,000, In relation to the enor-
nous expanse Of the territory make
1t altogether impracticable to give to
those people who are In Alaska today
and may not be there a year hence
the power to elect legislature to gov
ern an immense territory to which
they have a relation so little perma-
ment- It is far better for the devel-
opment Of the territory that 1t be COM
mttted to a commission to be appoint
ed by the executive, with limited leg
islative powers sufficiently broad to
meet the local needs, than to continue
the present insufficient government,
with few remedial powers, or to make
q popular government where there Ia
not proper foundation upon which to
rest IT.
The suggestion that the appointment
Of a commission Will lead to the con-
troll Of the government by corporate
or selfish and exploiting interests has
not the slightest foundation in fact.
Such a 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 it and the benefit of
the people Of the United States, who
own it, should support the institution
of such a government.
I have been asked TO recommend that
the credit OF the government be extend
ed to aid the construction of railroads
In Alaska. am not ready now to do
So A great many millions Of dollars
have already been expended IN the
construction Of at least two railroads.
and II laws be passed providing for the
proper development Of the resources
of Alaska, especially for the opening
up Of the coal lands, 1 believe that the
capital already invested will induce
the investment Of more capital SUM-
cienf to complete the railroads building
and to furnish cheap coal not only to
Alaska, but to the whole Pacific coast
The passage of a law permitting the
leasing Of government coal lands in
Alaska after public competition and
the appointment Of a 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 re-
sources that il likely to surprise the
rountry.
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 legislation ere
Rting a bureau for their care and con-
troll. The greatest natural wonder of
this country and the surrounding terri
tory should be included in another ma
donal park. 1 refer to the Grand Can
yon of the Colorado.
Pensions.
The uniform policy Of the govern
rnent in the matter of granting pen
sions to those gallant and devoted
men who fought to save the life of the
nation In the perilous days Of the great
civil war has always been of the most
liberal character. Those men are now