Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1911-06-27
The Alaskan Coal Lands.

Secretary Fishers decision on the So
called Cunningham land claims. which
have been troublesome subject before
this administration since it took ONCE.
brings TO new phase a vitality important
question, affecting the welfare Of Alaska
and involving the general subject Of the
conservation of the national resources.
The real value of this action is not meas
ured by considerat ions of whether one
side or the other in the acrimonious and
often slanderous controversy has been
INDICATED. The Secretary, following the
findings of the land commissioner, rules
that the thirty-three claims under ques-
ton were Illegally entered because OF
their grouping under one title, contrary
to the statute forbidding the filing Of
claims save by distinct individuals. He
found that the Jaw was designed to pro-
hibit the assembling of mineral land
claims. whereas in point of business it
would probably never be profitable for
any single entryman to work his coal
claim as a mine.
There can be no Justification for the
deliberate breaking of a plainly under
stood statute. Amendment Of the law to
permit the development of the mineral
wealth of Alaska may have been neces-
sary for some time, and yet the lack OF
such a change in the statute can never
be safely cited as good reason for unlaw
full combinations. What Mr.. Pinchot and
his associates in the conservation move
nent have always urged is that any plea
in justification Is in the last degree dan
gerous. leading TO gross abuses and ulti-
mately 10 the absolute monopolization Of
the mineral resources of Alaska. II one
illegal thing can be done because some
thing is needed that can not be had save
by such methods any other illegal thing
can be done.
II Congress considers that the Alaskan
coal lands require the advantage Of a
new law, TO permit their development, it
must formally pass such law, in plain
terms leading to no misunderstanding
The case has been greatly simplified by
Secretary Fishers action, and when the
period Of jubilation on the part Of those
who feel that they are indicated by his
ruling has passed it should be easy to
work out a method of land entry suited
TO the physical conditions and calculated
to strike an equitable balance between
the needs of the people at large and the
rights OF the land owners.
was not treated at the outset with the
judicial spirit that has characterized its
later handling. Through perhaps injudi-
cious actions on both sides it became in
volved in personal quarrels, and the trou-
bles which ensued seriously interfered
with the correct adjudication demanded
in the public interests. When Secretary
Fisher took office it was felt that he
faced a task Of great difficulty and ex-
treme deicacy. He has discharged his
duty with evident fairness to all inter-
ests. holding strictly to the vital view
that the law must be respected and at the
same time indicating a way out Of the
difficulty created by the peculiar circum-
stances. He is deserving Of national
thanks for having disposed of this case
SO ably, while President Taft must be
congratulated on having selected an Of
fetal Of the necessary capacity and cour-
age TO meet the situation.