The Bon Homme County independent. [volume] (Tabor, S.D.) 1904-1913, 1911-06-29
CuCGENHEIMS ARE
BEATEN in TRYING
TO SEIZE ALASKA
Cunningham Claims, Which
Caused Ballinger Scandal,
Turned Down by Fisher.

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.. Baiiinser denied that he per-
sonaiIy had done anything to ad-
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 Morgan Guggenheim syndicate had
MANNED to extend their vast interests
in Alaska and to control one of the
most valuable fields in tho 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
ment's decision as handed down by
Fred bennett, 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 DuI SluCH All 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 pubiic's eye constantly for more
than two years past. They brought
about tho Ballinger- Pinchot investiga-
ton by congress and the dismissal
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 characterization 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
who succeeded Mr.. Ba,iinger in March
last, declared that new coal land laws
are needed In Alaska If that territory
is to be developed properly. In q
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
ly 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 II
Is my understanding that 1t Is con-
ceded that the finding upon the 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 so far as this can be
properly done. denying those that
should be denied and granting those
that should be granted as rapidly as
possible.
II do not believe tho 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 pro-
lection to the public welfare against
the abuses Of monopoly and unre-
strtct6d private exploitation.
L sincerely trust that these laws
will be modified at the next session
OF congress, so as to permit the devel-
opment OF the Alaskan coal fields un-
der provisions that will more adequate
ly protect and promote the public in
terest. If, however there are claims
now pending which, under the exist
Ing law are entitled to patent. see
no Justification for not taking action
upon them as promptly as the DEPART
ment can be assured that it Is in pos
session of the facts upon which such
action ultimately will be taken"