The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1911-06-26
GUGGENH
Cunningham Alaska Coal Land
Claims Are DisalIOwed.
Action Of the Interior Depart
ment Is Final.
CLAWS is UPHELD
Evidence of an Unlawful Agree
ment Is Found.
Property Worth Millions Is
Saved to the People.

Washington, June 26.-The famous
Cunningham Alaskan coal land claims
through which it has been alleged that
the Morgan -Guggenheim syndicate had
planned to extend their vast interests
in Alaska and to control one OF the
most valuable coal fields in the world
were today finally disallowed by the
department of the interior.
Secretary of the Interior Fisher hav-
ing approved the departments de-
cision as handed down by Fred Den
nett. commissioner of the land office,
the last door is believed to have been
closed to the Cunningham claimants.
Their attorneys have threatened an
appeal to the United States supreme
court, but such an appeal can be based
only on some point of law involved,
and not on the findings OF fact as an
nounced by the department.
The Cunningham claims have been
in the public eye for more than two
years. They brought about the Bal
linger-Pinchott investigation by con-
gress and the dismissal from the pup
lie service of Chief Forester Clifford
Pinchot, Louis r. CLAWS, a chief of
field division in the land office and
several minor officials. Both Messrs,
Pinchot and CLAWS were dismissed Tor
insu ubOrdination incident to their at
IackS on former secretary DeN4AAhSCA
who they claimed was favorably dis
posed toward the claims.
In announcing the decision of the
department today, Secretary Fisher,
who succeeded Mr.. Ballinger, declared
that new coal land laws are needed
in Alaska if that territory is to be
developed properly. In statement
the secretary said:
Decision Is Final.
s'This is a final decision of the Gun
ningham claims so far as the depart
ment of the interior is concerned Any
further proceedings will be merely
formal for the purpose of perfecting
the record in case the claimants think
there are questions of law which they
desire to present to the courts. 1t is
my understanding that it is conceded
that the findings upon the facts by the
department are conclusive.
"It is the intention of the depart
ment to proceed at once to a final de-
termination of all the remaining Alas
ka coal claims so far as this can prop
erly be done denying those that should
be denied and granting those that
should be granted as rapidly as pos
sible.
"I do not believe the present laws
applicable to coal lands in Alaska are
wise or practicable laws. Neverthe-
less, their provisions must be enforced,
first, because they are the law, and,
SSCOnu, because tuSy dllOIQ tie OiAAS
protection to the public welfare
against the abuses of monopoly and un-
restricted private exploitation I sin
cerely trust that these laws will be
modified at the next session of con-
gress so as TO permit the development
of the Alaskan coal fields under pro-
visions that will more adequately pro-
tect and promote the public interest.
If however, there are claims now
pending, which, under the existing
law, are entitled to patent, I see no
justification for not taking action
upon them as promptly as the de-
partment can be assured that it is in
possession of the facts upon which
such action ultimately can be taken -
Commissioner bennett in his de-
cision holding the claims for cancel
latiOn, on the ground of fraud, de-
clares that each of the 33 entries was
improperly allowed because of fatal
defects apparent on their face.
He asserts that the government con-
clusively established the charges
brought against the claimants and that
there is no doubt that an agreement
existed among them in violation of law.
The SO claims involved amounted to