The Black Hills union and western stock review. [volume] (Rapid City, S.D.) 1904-19??, 1910-07-15
MORE LAND WITHDRAWALS
TAFT CONSERVATION POLICY
Two Dakotas Are Affected Over o.
: 900 1000 Acres Believed to Con-
tain Valuable Mineral.

Beverly, Mass, July 11.-Continu-
ing his policy of practical %conserva-
ton, President Taft signed orders
withdrawing 35,O73,164 acres of coal
lands from the public domain in
the states of North and South Dako-
ia, Washington, Utah, Colorado and
Arizona.
or the total Withdrawals, 20,69S,-
1853 acres are new, while 14,374,695
acres are covered on combinations
and notifications under the new law,
approved June Is, of Withdrawals
made during the last four years by
both Presidents Roosevelt and Taft.
North and South Dakota are the
two states affected by the new with
drawals. From the public domain
in North Dakota the president has
withdrawn from settlement 1885,
lSH, acres of land believed to con-
tain workagle coal. In South Dako-
to the amount withdrawn is $780,
eS7 acres.
Previous Withdrawals confirmed oy
the, president tonight are divided
aiming the several states as follows:
Washington, 2,207.967 acres; Ari-
IONA, 161,28O acres; Utah. 5,814.2S7
acres, and Colorado. 6,191,16l
acres.
The withdrawal orders, prepared
BY the geological survey and approx
ed BY the secretary of the Interior
Department, reached Beverly from
Washington tonight. They were
sent to the Taft cottage IN Bur-
CESS point, where they were signed
BY the president. This was announced
as one of the few matters that WIN
be- called to Mr.. Taft's attention dur
tnk his ten days of real vacation.
All of the Withdrawals and con-
formations were made under h nek
law passed at the last session of con-
gress which definitely authorized
the president to withdraw various
lands from entry pending their class
ifieation and special disposition by
congress-. The president urged dthis
law as the first step in his plan for
practical conservation. He hopes to
secure additional legislation at the
coming session of congress dealing
with the terms under which water
power sites, coal, petroleum and
phosphate may be disposed OF.
In Colorado the various orders OF
withdrawal confirmed tonight date
from July 26, 1906, to June FL,
1910; in Utah from July Z, 1905, to
Nay 9, 1910; in Arizona from Nov.
70, 1909, to Dec. %, 1909, and IN
washington from July 26. 1906, to
April Z, 1909.
In withdrawing the vast amount IT
new lands in North and South Da-
kota, the president and Secretary
B%allinger have acted principally on
a report by Arthur G. Jaffa, a prac-
teal miner employed by the geolog-
icaa survey, dated Dec. %, 1909, re-
commencing further investigation by
the secretary.
Director Geo. Otis Smith Of the
geological survey, in his recommend
alton for Withdrawals in North and
South Dakota, says:
"a consideration of the informa-
ton of Mr.. Jaffa leads us to the
conclusion that there are large areas
in these states which are undertake
bv Ignite considered workable un-
der the present regulations and
which should be withdrawn from
entry"
All of the orders stated that the
,a,ds are Withdrawn for settlement,
location, sale or entry and reserved
for examination and classification
with respect to coal value"
President Taft earlier this week
signed orders withdrawing approx
uately $500, 900 acres Of water pow
er sites, phosphate and petroleum
lands in the United States and all OF
the coal fields in Alaska.