The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1911-11-30
e0HStRvATIOhISTS. SEE
/ VICTORY IN FIGHT TO
4 SAVE ALASKA RESOURCES
'Couasel Brandeis Advises That
Investigation Into Controller
Bay Affair Be Discontinued.
TAFT REvERsEs POLICY.
Chairman Graham Says Presi-
dent Has Come Over to Secre-
tary Fishers Viewpoint.
.asaitc


hittee accomplished It's purpose, said
Chairman Graham (Dem.. Ills). OF the
house committee on expenditures in
the interior department today follow
ing the receipt OF letter from Louis
ID. Brandeis, counsel for the commit
tee, advising that the Controller Bay
Alaska, probe he discontinued
That purpose was TO ascertain
whether valuable public interests in
Alaska were being subjected to syndl-
cate exploitation, a condition rendered
probable by the revelations in the
Ballinger investigation, continued
Graham.
I'm his special message OF July 26,
the president said:
Every one must know that the re-
sources of Alaska can never become
available either 10 the people OF Alas
ka OF 10 the public Of the United
States unless reasonable opportunity
Is granted to those who would invest
their money to secure a return proper
tfonate TO the risk?
The announced Alaskan policy OF
the administration was that where the
tights and franchises can be properly
ytanted TO encourage investment and
railroad construction without confer
!, ling exclusive privileges II was good
policy 10 grant them, and Secretary
Ballingers policy in that regard. has
been Endorsed and cout,.ts..e.
president.
The giving Of about two-thirds OF
the most valuable frontage on Con-
troller Bay to Mr.. Ryan seemed In
line with this policy.
The committees action riveted pub
tic attention on Alaskan affairs, and
. undoubtedly was the moving cause OF
Secretary Fishers visit there last
Summer.
ION his return, i'm formal address,
authorized by the president, Mr. Fish
er announced views about Alaskan
matters which constitute clear de-
larture from the administration for
Ler policy. and which are in substan-
tial conformity with the views on the
subject entertained by the committee.
1--WE felt. therefore, that by thus
calling attention to the matter We
, have very materially aided in bringing
about this change OF policy.
"The COMMITTEES may 80 further
fnan MIR. Fisher, and recommend the
retaining to the government Of all the
title To all the laineral. gas and oil
land I'm Alaska.
.In Alaska there is an area Of 500 200
scpare miles, ami only about 10000
v Fife people For a very lonc time II
will not have White population com.
mensurate With rs enormous mne~n'
ssn ealth The neople OF thn United
States bought Alaska and paid for y
out of the pubiG treasury. The com
mittee thinks IL would be unwise %
turn over its tremendous mineral
wealth to great syudlcates for eXploi'a.
ton and ACKNOWLEDGMENT adding enor.
riously TO their wealth and conse-
quently to their power and thus rem
dering more acute, more intense, the
dangers which now threaten us from
the concentration Of wealth
Announcing that the new Alas
Ian policy of Secretary OF the
Interior Fisher. Endorsed by Pres
siaent Taft, marks a Reversal oI
policy" on the Alaskan problem
and brings. the administration In
fIlfs respect into accord with the
IaFollette. Poindexter and Robinson
Works bills. Louis d. Brandeis. In a
letter made public today by Chairman
Graham dem, Ills.) OF the house
committee on expenditures in the in
terror department advised the discon-
tinuance OF the Controller Bay in
yestigation.
Brandeis acted as counsel for the
| committee and was assisted by Amos
Pinchot, counsei for the National
Conservation association. who con
crrred in his Recommendation TO the
committee. After an exhaustive in
vestigation. Brandeis save that the
elimination of large tract or land
I'm aid OF the Controller Railroad q
Navigation Co, was opposed 10 the
best interests Of the people" but that
he found mo evidence OF Illegally OF
had faith on the part OF any govern
ment official"
The Brapdeis letter SAYS:
During August and September tht
+, Hon Walter Il. Fisher secretary o.
; the interior, Visitr Alaska and on oct
. e set forth in an address az Chicago
before the American Mining Congress.
the results Of his Investigation Sec
Rotary Fishers recommendations
, which he saws WIZ have the suppor
! OF the president. mark n reversal o
the policy OF the administration r.
. dealing with the Alaskan problem
They provide for the prompt develop