New-York tribune., 1910-11-07
ALASKA COAL AGNA|lUN
Secretary BaIIinger Blan1eS r'''
mics of Conservation.
SUGGESTS TWO REMEDIES
Hopes Congress VIII Promptly
Define Policy in Dealing
with VaIua bic Resource.

Washington. Nov. s.-Blamins the asiLo
tion which has been raised Throughout -
country since the withdrawal Of all +Ai0
kan coal lands. In 1906, as the cause OF ~
ing the whole question unsettled anu "'9O
for the inaction Of Congress, SecFeu''''
Ballinger of the Interior Department To
night made public a statement in the lol1H
of an interview. in the course of Whlcn ,,e
assails those who have charged him wiz
being an opponent of conservation ai'O
blarnes them for the unsettled conditions
in Alaska.
The statement was brought out by inc
recent indictments in Washington agalnS'
Alaska coal claimants. in which connection
the Secretary says that these are n"l
further steps in the effort which Is pelhs
made by the government TO clear up ana
settle this whole question
Since the withdrawal order was made ID
enable Congress to decide upon definite
policy of dealing with this resource, the
Secretary says. there has been Throughout
the country much agitation regarding
Alaska coal--an agitation large part df
which is based on false statements. What
ever has been the motive behind the agi-
tation. it has resulted in keeping the who.e
question unsettled and IS largely blamable
for the inaction of Congress
The Secretary point out that there are
two essentials for clearing UP the stu
ation-an early prosecution and disposi-
tion OF the pending cases. involving charges
OF fraud and conspiracy against existing
claimants, and Congressional action den-
nitely deciding the manner in which Alas
kan coal may be acquired.
As the Pacific Coast is obliged to draw
its goods from the Atlantic Coast, the Sec
retary says, the charge has arisen that the
interests are the benehciaries OF the
policy which prevents the opening up OF
large fuel deposits.
There has been much talk" Secretary
BaIlinger continues, "of the interests OPP
posing that so-called conservation which
makes for reservation rather than use; but
as matter Of fact. the interests natur-
ally favor. rather than oppose, the reserva-
ton and non-use idea
The Secretary points out that Mexican
coal can be delivered at San Francisco al
S4 a ton. while d railroad in Alaska is com
PEELED to pay So a ten.
ITO my mind continuation OF the pres
ent situation is the direct antithesis O
rational conservation" the Secretary con
tinues Consider that for each five tons
Of Atlantic seaboard coal transported Il
the Pacific Coast one ton is used up II
transportation, or a total waste OF 70 pei
cent, and you will see that existing meth
ods do not conserve, but destroy
From an economic point Of view, II il
intolerable that this waste should continue
and that a large region should be handi
capped in its legitimate development ant
the proper use of its resources by th'
failure OF the government properly TO settle
the. problems of how to use these resources
ut is most sincerely to be hoped tha
Congress will determine early in the com
ing session the manner in which Alaska
coal may be taken out and placed in tn
markets ~ the Pacific Coast before thos'
markets are absorbed ny foreign importa
tons