The citizen-Republican. (Scotland, Bon Homme County, S.D.) 1???-19??, 1911-06-29
CUGCENHEIMS ARE
BEATEN IN TRYING
T I00 SEIZE ALASKA
Cunningham Claims, Which
Caused Eallinger Scandal,
Turned Down by Fisher.

Seattle, Wash, June 27.-Former
Secretary of the Interior r.. "A. Bal
iinger, IN a signed statement given
to the Associated Press today, said:
"As to the present decision, | am
of the firm belief that there is no
evidence that a court of justice
would hold sufficient TO warrant the
denial Of the patents. In other
words the decision of the commits.
sioner is political and not judicial
Mr.. B~allinger denied that he per-
sonaily had done anything to adj
vance the Cunningham claims to
patent while he was secretary of
the interior.
Washington, June 27.-The famous
Cunningham Alaskan coal land claims.
through which it has been alleged that
the ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS syndicate had
planned to extend their vast interests
In Alaska and to control one of the
most valuable fields in the world. were
today finally disallowed by the depart
ment of the interior on the ground Of
fraud.
Secretary of the Interior Walter L.
Fisher, having approved the depart
decision s@%hanGaads down by
Fred bennett, commissioner of the
land office, the last door is believed to
have been closed to the G-unningha n.
claimants. Their attorneys have
threatened an appeal to the United
States supreme court, but sluch an APP
peal can be based only on some point
of law involved and not on the findings
of fact as announced by the depart
ment.
The Cunningham claims have been
In the public's eye constantly for more
than two years past. They brought
about the Ballinger-Pinchot investiga-
ttnn nv MONACO VI or,l . thu Jtts,aiccp}
from public service of Chief Forester
Clifford Pinchot, Louis R. CLAWS, a
chief of field divisions in the land Of
fee. and several minor officials. Both
Messrs. Pinchot and CLAWS were dis
missed for INSTRUMENTATION incident to
their attacks on former Secretary Bal
linger, whom they claimed was favor
ably disposed toward the claims.
In announcing the decision OF the
department today, Secretary Fisher,
who succeeded Mr.. Ballinger in March
last, declared that new coal land laws
are needed In Alaska il that territory
Is to be developed properly. In a
statement the secretary said:
This is the final decision in the
cunningham cases so far as the de-
partment of the interior Is concerned.
Any further proceedings will be mere
y formal for the purpose of perfect
ing 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 con
ceded that h finding upon h facts
by the department are conclusive.
1t is the intention of the DEPART
ment to proceed at once to a final de-
termination of all the remaining Alas
kan coal claims 50 far as this can be
properly done, denying those that
should be denied and granting those
that should be granted as rapidly as
possible.
Il do not believe the present laws
applicable to coal lands in Alaska are
wise or practicable laws. Nevertheless
their provisions must be enforced. first
because they are the law, and. sec
ond, because they afford the only pros
lection to the public welfare against
the abuses of monopoly and unre-
stricted private exploitation.
4 sincerely trust that these In rvs
will be modified at the next session
of congress, SO as to permit the deyel-
opnlent of the Alaskan coal fields IN
der provisions that will more adeouate-
~ protect n promote the public IL
tefest. If, however. there are claims
now pending which. under the exist
ing law are entitled to patent. 1 see
no Justification for not taking action
upon them as promptly as the depart
ment can be assured that 1t is in pos
session of the facts Upon which such
actlon Ultimately will be taken"