The Pensacola journal. (Pensacola, Fla.) 1898-1985, 1911-07-28


remains that Mr.. Taft, in opening the
lands around Controller Bay without
notice to the public, has given the in
terests behind Ryan an opportunity to
acquire the key to the channel of Con-
troller Bay before the public knew
what was going on" says Mr. Pinchot.
The map which is a part of the presi-
dents message, supported as II Is by
the testimony of Mr.. Graves of the
coast and geodetic survey, before the
congressional committee now inves-
tagging this question, appears to show
that the mile and a half of harbor
front taken up by Ryan, together with
the tracts which the government re-
aims and on which 1t prohibits private
entry, does effectually control the
valuable horton of the channel
But whether the president is right
or whether the map is right, and who
ever Ryan and his associates would
be shown to represent, it is true and
will remain true that the lands about
Controller Bay should never be let
go.
The so-called Ballinger- Pinchot in
vestigation opens the eyes of the pub
lie to the extensive and successful
operations which are being made to
monopoliZe the resources of Alaska.
The facts developed by this investi-
CATION gave a solemn warning and a
call upon the executive for special
watchfulness In protecting public prop
erty in Alaska AS with the coal lands
the title to the harbor lands, which
are the key to the coal lands, should
have been held, in any event, until con-
gress could act.
/ 80 long as these terminal lands re-
manned in government ownership no
I one could monopolize the harbors. Be-
! fore the executive order of October %
, Controller Bay was both available fol
! development and safe against mo-
nopoly. Now 1t is no longer safe.
THE president denies that in grant
ing Ryan's request for the opening OF
Controller Bay by the executive order
of October %, there was any element
Of secrecy. But Mr.. Taft does not
mention that on the day he signed
the order Ryan's surveying party was
already in Alaska, and that four days
after the order was made, and before
the government officials in Alaska had
been notified, they had begun a sur
vey Of the Ryan claims on Controller
Bay.
THE omission Of the customary
thirty days notice to the public thai
eAe land would be open for entry gave
Ryan what he wanted. It cut off al
chance for any competitor to locate
on the terminals land until after RyaT
had made his selection. II the order
had been wholly secret, the effect coulC
not have been different
TT is possible that the protests al
ready made may yet save the situation
But it looks to me like unnecessary
duplication of work when we must frs
fight the policemen before we can ge
a chance to stop the looting."
A cablegram from Charles P. Tart
brother of the president, denying tina
he was interested in Alaska or in Con
troller Bay ard declaring that he neve
asked the president for any favors TO
Richard S. Ryan was made public
the White House today. 1t reads a.
Il follows:
THE President. White House, Wash
ington:
Have just returned from motor tril
and find your cable. 1 may have me
Ryan casually, but I co not remembe
him. know nothing about the Con
troller Bay Railway and Navigation
Company I have never had any in
terests, direct or indirect, in that com
pany or any other company doint
business in Alaska. I am not inter
ested in any lands in Alaska I neve
applied to you either orally or l.
writing to give me a hearing in sue
case or give privilege. I never kney
of the existence of the Controller Rail
way and Navigation Company until
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