Las Vegas optic. (East Las Vegas, N.M.) 1908-1921, 1911-06-26
DISPOSES OF LITIGATION
THE CASE RESULTED IN DlsMls-
SAL OF CLIFFORD PlNcHoT
AND L. r. CLAWS
VALUED AT MANY MILLIONS
CHARGES OF FRAUD SUSTAINED
AND CANCELLATIONS ARE
ORDERED AS A RESULT

Washington, June 26.-The tamou
Cunningham coal land claims, through
which it has been alleged that th'
Morgan-Guggenheim Syndicate ha(
planned to extend their vast Interests
into Alaska, and to control one of tht
most valuable coal fields in the world
were today finally disallowed by the
department of the interior Secretary
of the Interior Fisher, having approx
ed the departments decision as
handed down by Fred bennett, com
missioner of the general 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 in
volved and not on the findings of fact
as announced by the department
The Cunningham claims have been
in the public eye for more than two
years. They brought about the Ballin-
ger-Pinchot investigation by congress
and the dismissal from public service
of Chief Forester Clifford Pinchot,
Louis R. CLAWS, chief of field divi-
sion in the land office and several
minors officials.
In announcing the decision of the
department today, Secretary Fisher
declared that new coal laws are need
cd in Alaska if that territory is to be
developed properly. In a statement
the secretary said:
Il do not believe the present laws
applicable to coal lands in Alaska are
wise or practicable laws. Neverthe-
less their provisions must be enforc-
ed. First because they are the law
and second, because. they afford the
only protection to the public welfare
against the abuses of monopoly and
unrestricted private exploitation.
sincerely 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 inter
ests."
Commissioner bennett in his deci.
sion holding the claims for cancella-
tion on the ground of fraud. asserts
that the government conclusively es-
tablished the charges brought against
the claimants and that there is nc
doubt that an agreement existed
among them in violation of law.
The thirty-three claims involved
amounted to an aggregate area of 5,
$50 acres. The value of the land has
estimated high in the millions The
coal embraced in the claims is sait
W U6 AIMING Ju0 llU6SJ III tIl0 WOT1u
Ruling vindicates Pinchot
New York. June 26.-Perhaps no ont
in the country was better please
with the final disposition of the Gun
ningham claims than Clifford Pinchot
whose own fortune had pivoted upol
them so critically
"The cancellation of the claims" h
said here today, sis proof, given by tn
administration itself that the figh
made against it to prevent the Goa
monopoly in Alaska was not only SUI
cessful but necessary and right. Thi
victory insures the cancellation Q
multitudes of other fraudulent claim
in Alaska. Our fight however, is nc
yet fully on. Tt is possible that Sc.
ret order of last October, by whic
President Taft opened the harbc
front of Controller Bay, the natur;
outlet for the coal to acquisition b
special interests. may result in
coal monopoly of transportation. No
that the claims are cancelled, the on