The Vinita daily chieftain. [volume] (Vinita, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1902-1913, 1911-01-03

Washington, d. c., Jan. 3.--Develop-
ment of the coal fields, both in Alaska
and the United States, with due ad-
herence to the principles of conserva-
tion," is strongly urged by Commis-
sioner bennett, of the general land
office, in his annual report to the sec
retary of the Interior made public
last night. He wants the coal deliver
ed to the bins of the ultimate con-
sumer at the cheapest possible price,
but at the same time wants legislation
which would prevent the fields falling
into the hands of the monopolies.
1T is imperative" he says, that
new legislation be passed covering
the disposition of coal lands in Alaska
and in the United States. The in
adequacy of the present laws is uni
versally conceded This proposition,
therefore, needs no argument. The
progress of advancement in the west is
being retarded under present condi-
tions by the difficulty in the successful
opening OF new mines under legisla-
ton as 1t exists today. Competition
has been checked. The consumer is
having to pay, therefore, greater
price than 1t would be reasonable to
expect he would have to pay if it were
possible to open new mines under leg
lislation which would encourage the
development of this resource.
Legislation, however, which would
mot retain in the United States the
fright of supervision over the market
ling of the product, would be a mis-
take" he continues. ITO throw this
resource open so that the coal de-
posits would ultimately pass into the
hands of the monopolies and trusts
would be to render the conditions
worse than they are at present. Con
Igress, therefore, should carefully guard
THE enactment of legislation. and see
to it that the requisite control is reI
tanned in the United States, so that
a combination for the purposes of UNI
Justly advancing prices can be check
ed through government supervision.
The abolition of the positions OF
: register and receiver in the local land
offices and the creation of one position
in lieu of the two, is recommended
This course, he says, would result in
considerable saving as well as better
administration Under the present
system both officers are responsible
for the work of the office.
J The substitution of bonded clerk
: for the register and receiver is urged
? which. with the difference between
/ his proposed salary and the salary
| now paid to receivers, would amount
+ in saving to the government of abou
f $780, 900, according to the report
/ The only reference in the report L
/ the Ballinger- Pinchot investigation Il
contained in the paragraph declaring
that the amount of work performed
!. lduring the past fiscal year was greater
g than during the proceeding year.
n The total cash receipts from th'
/. sales of public lands, including fee
e and commissions on both original an'
g final entries for the fiscal year 1910
n were $S,S7t, ,637, the report says. Mis-
e cellaneous receipts were as follows
) From sales of Indian lands, $2037,5 SOL
v reclamation water-right charges $77O
$50: depredations on public lands
sales of government property, an
e copies of records and plats, $2S4,14'
IS making the aggregate total of cash rt
5, ceipts of this bureau during the fsca
wear 1910, $11. .463, 1922, a decrease G