The Manitowoc pilot. [volume] (Manitowoc, Wis.) 1859-1932, 1911-06-29
FISHER KNOCKS OUT
CUNNINGHAM GRAB
Alaskan Coal Claims Meet Final
Defeat.
MANY MILLIONS INVOLVED
Secretary Of Interior Approves Deci-
sion Of Land Commissioner Dem
nett, Putting an End to Fa-
nous Case.

Washington, June 27.--The famous
Cunningham Alaskan coal land claims.
through which 1t has been alleged
that the n-Guggenheim syndi-
cate planned to extend its vast inter-
ests in Alaska and to control one Of
the most valuable coal fields In the
world, were finally disallowed by the
department of the interior. Walter
l.. Fisher, secretary Of the interior,
having 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 in
volved and not on the findings of fact
as announced by the department.
The Cunningham Gains have been
In the public eye longer than two
years. They brought about the Bal
linger-Pinchot investigation by cou-
gress and the dismissal from the pub
lie service of Chief Forester Clifford
Pinchot, Louis R. CLAWS, chief Of
field division in the land Office, and
several minor offciols. Both Pinchot
and CLAWS were dismissed for insub-
ordination incident to their attacks on
former Secretary Ballinger.
Says New Lave are Needed.
In announcing the decision Of the
department Secretary Fisher, who
succeeded Mr.. Ballinger in March, de-
clared that new coal land laws are
needed in Alaska If that territory Is
to be developed properly. In state
ment the secretary said:
This is final decision OF the Gun
bingham claims, so far as the depart
ment of the interior is concerned.
Any further proceedings will be mere
ly formal for the purpose Of perfect
ing the record In Gaze the claimants
think there are questions Of law
which they desire to present to the
courts. 1t is my understanding that
1t is conceded that the findings upon
the facts by the department are con-
elusive.
1T Is the intention of the depart
ment to proceed at once to 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
possible.
Il do not believe the present laws
applicable to coal lands In Alaska are
wise or practicable. Nevertheless,
their provisions must be enforced;
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 interest.
If, however, there are claims now
pending which under the existing law
are entitled to patent, see no justi-
f1cation for not taking action upon
them as promptly as the department
can be assured that 1t is in posses-
sion of the facts upon which such &C.
ton ultimately vii! be taken"
Commissioner bennett, in his deci-
sion holding the claims subject to
cancellation on the ground Of fraud.
4 M -
was allowed improperly 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 agree
ment existed, in violation of law.
The 33 claims covered $3.50 acres.
The value of the land has been esti-
mated high in the millions. The coal
embraced is said to be among the
best in the world.
Commissioner bennett makes fire.
quent reference to the work of CLAWS
in prosecuting the governments case
against the Cunningham ella nants.
He also refers at length to the nego-
tiations between Cunningham and rep
resentatives of the Guggenheims, who
were shown at the Ballinger-Pinchot
hearing to have taken an option on
these coal lands, which were to be
worked in connection with the other
extensive Guggenheim interests in
Alaska.
The government charged against
Cunningham and his associates that
their entries of the scoal land we're
made in pursuance Of an understand
ing and agreement entered by all the
claimants prior to location to COM
bine the claims for the joint use and
benefit of all. 1t was claimed further
that the entries we're made with the
unlawful purpose that they should In
ure to the use and benefit Of an asso
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