Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1911-06-28
THOSE CUNNINGHAM CT AIMS,


Secretary Fisher Of the interior de-
partment successor to Ballnger, has
rejected the applications Of the Nor
gan-Guggenhein syndicate for what is
known as the Cunningha group Of
claims in the Alaska coal fields. These
claims have been a storm center for
the Taft administration since Ballinger
became a member OF the cabinet.
Louis R CLAWS and several others lost
their places in the government service
in defense of the men they knew We're
right. But the storm refused 20 sub
side. BalNnger was investigated and
whftewashed. But he couldn't be saved
and finally he got out of the cabinet
as gracefully as he could.
The effect OF this decision is to say
that CLAWS and P:nchol were right
while Ballinger and his. supporters were
wrong Taft must be charged with a
credulity which permitted Ballinger
and his clique to deceive him. He must
be credited with having the nerve to
select the right kind Of a successor 70
Ballinger and 70 permit him 10 have
a free hand IN the determination Of
the case.
There has never been much doubt in
the minds Of the public concerning
the Cunningham cons piracy to secure
control Of the Alaska coal fields. Large
areas Of land thruout the west have
been acquired by syndicates in the
same manner. The forms Of law have
been observed In most OF these cases
but the spirit has been wholly nullihed
and many times even the forms have
been ignored with the knowledge and
consent OF governme nt agents. Roose
welt broke up that system. His officers
were instructed and enthused in the
policy Of law observance and law en-
forcenent. Law v!oIaters were game to
Roosevelt agents and these agents be
came expert in the detection Of fraud.
They saw IN this Alaska deal a
gigantic swindle. They exposed the
fraud In the meantime Roosevelt had
gone out and Taft had come in. Taft
was schooled in the observance Of law
forms. With him everything must be
judicial. Subordinates must respect
supsriors. II the Cunning CHAM claim
ants had observed the forms Of law
their motives could not be questioned.
The government agents were up
against the strongest combination in
the country. It appeared on the face Of
the returns CLAWS was exceeding his
authority and had become a prosecutor
His Office head came off. Other heads
followed But right is now TO prevail
These men are vindicated. Insurgency
has won another outpost.
1t L. true that it requires syndicated
wealth to undertake such vast enter
prises as the opening up Of these
Alaska coal fields. But syndicated
combination. We are striving with
might and main now to break up or
extract the power Of these institutions
to do harm. These coal fields should
be opened up but only under restric-
tions as will guarantee to the govern
rneat, which is the people, that there
shall be no Injustice no monopoly and
no power vested in corporate body TO
charge all the traffic will bear.
It is claimed that Pacific coast cities
would be immeasurably benefited by
Alaska coal if they could get it. But
how much would they be benefited if
this coal were in the hands of a syndi-
cate with power to charge up to with
in ten cents per ton Of the cost Of coal
from the interior? A power of this kind