The Washington times., 1911-01-05
.BALLINGER AFFAIR
.HA[TS CONSERVATION
Congress May Be Deadlock
ed on Issue While He's
In Office.
FEDERAL CONTROL
OF ROADS is SEEN
Only Way to Wrest Power From
Guggenheim Interests Said to
Be In Ownership.

Advocates of conservation legislation
believe Congress is practically dead
locked on that subject, and will remain
so while Secretary Ballinger continues
head of the Interior Department.
President Taft and Secretary Balftnger
sharply disagree. There are factionaI
lines in Congress. The different repre-
sentatives of Alaska are not in any
thing like accord All sides are sus-
picious of whatever is offered with
regard to Alaska coal, and actual inc
formation concerning the needs of the
Territory is lamentably lacking.
Political and factional prejudice is
giving great worry to the friends of
Alaska who want something done for
1t. Anything that Secretary Ballingsr
favors is regarded in some quarters as,
ipso facto, undesirable. In other direc-
tions, there is serious prejudice against
any program which President Taft fav-
ors. This because Of severe criticism
which was called down by the Presi-
dents Alaska government bill of last
session.
Senator Nelson, chairman Of the Pub
lie Lands Committee of the upper house.
has bill pending. looking to leasing
coal lands. That bill has fallen under
criticism, some of it sensational. Some
of the Alaska authorities go so far as
to say that If the measure passed, IT
would ultimately turn over to the Gug-
genheims and other claimants, not only
the Cunningham claims in the Katalla
coal field, but over 300 other claims that
have been entered in that district.
Center of Controversy.
The point concerning these claims is
that they include about the entire Ka-
talla field. There are thirty-three Cum
ningham claims, about which the con-
troversy has. long ragged. But IN addl-
ton, 221 other claims in that field have
been entered by other people. The Mel
son bill proposes to withdraw all coal
lands save those for which patents
have been "earhed." What does that
mean? 1t is a new phrase in public
land law. Opponents of the bill say it
would throw into court the question Of
whether patents to these 254 claims
have been earned" on such terms that
the claimants would be almost certain
to get patents.
II they got patents they would con-
firm the Guggenheim monopoly, be-
cause il depends on Guggenheim con-
troll of transportation in this field.
Their Copper River railroad is the only
transportation. All the claims would
ultimately fall into their hands because
of their control of transportation. But.
all other coal lands would
be withdrawn from entry by the very
same measure that confirmed the mo-
nopOIY in the katalla field.
The National Conservation Association
favors the Nelson bill. 1t is being re-
drafted, and will be pressed as the Ad-
ministration measure. Secretary Bal
linger does not favor il, and with him
in opposition stands Judge Wickersham,
Delegate from Alaska, who has Sener-
ally been a fighting opponent of Bal
linger policies. Back Of Wickersham
stand the people of Alaska, who have
been electing him to Congress against
all the power of Guggenheims, Admins
tration. national committee, and the
rest.
II is the most remarkable complication
that has confronted Congress since the
struggle for control of Alaska started.
Railroad Possibility.
All factions are coming to agree that
the real monopoly most certain to get
ultimate control of Alaska is a trans
portation monopoly. The conservation
association is looking up the question OF
whether there is already a railroad
monopoly.
The Guggenheims control the Copper
River road and the Alaska Central. oc-
cupying two of the three gateways.
Falcon Josin, of Fairbanks, controls
the Tanana Valley road, an interior
line. He has recently been acting as
agent for the Guggenheims, It is said,
in buying gold claims.
The White Horse and Yukon road,
occupying the third gateway 20 Alaska,
Is mainly in British territory, and be-
lieved to be controlled by the Guggen-
helms and affiliated interests.
In other words, the railroad monopo!-,
dominated by the Guggenheims, is con-
sidered practically an accomplished
fact What Is to be done about It?
A startling answer Is promised to that
question. 1t will be nothing less than
demand, strongly backed by national
conservation leaders. for Government
ownership of the Alaska railroads, Gov
ernment construction and operation.
A bill for this purpose is In prepara-
ton, and will be introduced and urged.
That IL will pass, nobody expects-at
least for years. But It will further
complicate the situation. and make any
mara difficTIt