Atlanta semi-weekly journal. (Atlanta, Ga.) 1898-1920, 1911-06-27
CUNNINGHAM COAL
CLAIMS IN ALASKA
ARE D|SALLOWED
Secretary of the Interior Wal
ter Fisher BaIkS Morgan
Guggenheim Plan to Control
Invaluable Coal Fields

WASHINGTON, June 1s.-The famous
Cunningham Alaskan coal land claims.
through which It has been alleged that
the Morgan-Guggenheim syndicate had
planned TO extend their vast interests In
Alaska and 70 control one OF the most
valuable coal fields IN the world. were
today finally disallowed by the depart
ment OF the interior
Secretary OF the Interior Walter Fisher
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 involved and not on
the finds OF fact as announced by the
department
The Cunningham claims have been in
the public eye constantly for more than
two years past They brought about the
Ballinger-Pinchot investigation by con-
sress and the dismissal from the public
service OF Chief Forester Clifford Pm
chot. Louis r CLAWS. chief OF field
division IN the land onfice. and several
minor officials
Both Messrs Pinchot and CLAWS were
dismissed for characterization incident to
their attacks on former Secretary Balm
ger. whom they claimed was favorahly
disposed toward the claims.
WHAT FISHER SAYS.
In announcing the decision OF the de-
pertinent today. Secretary Fisher, who
succeeded Mr.. Ballinger IN March last,
declared that new coal land laws are
needed In Alaska II that territory is to
be developed properly. In q statement
the secretary said:
This is q final decision OF the Cunning
ham claims 50 far as the department OF
the interior Is concerned ANY further
proceedings win be merely formal for
the purpose OF perfecting the record in
case the claimants think there are Ques-
tons OF law which they desire to pre-
sent TO the courts. It Is my understand
ing that IL IL conceded that the findings
upon the facts BY the department are
conclusive
s-rs Is the intention OF the department
10 proceed AZ once TO final determine
lion Of all the remaining Alaskan coal
claims 50 far as this can properly be
done. denying those that should be de-
MED. and granting those THAI should be
granted as rapidly As possible.
i do not beEeve the present laws ap-
plicabls- to coal lands n Alaska are wise
and practicable laws Nevertheless, the
provisions must be enforcer. first be-
cause they are the law. and second. be-
cause they arford the only protection the
public welfare has against the abuses
OF monopoly and unrestricted private ex-
rloffarions scarcely trust that these
laws viii be modified AZ the next session
OF congress so as 10 permit the develop
ment OF the Alaskan coal fields under
provisions that VIII more adequately pro-
fect and promote the public interests II.
however, there are claims now pending
which. under the existing law are enti-
tIed 10 patent. I see no Justification for
not taking action upon them as promptly
as the department can be assured that
II Is IN possession OF the facts upon
which such action ultimately be taken"
Commissioner bennett. In his decision
holding the claims for cancellation on
the ground OF fraud. declares that each
OF the g entries was improperly allowed
because OF fatal defects apparent on
their face.
Law WAS VIOLATED
He asserts that the government con-
ciusfwely established the charges brought
aEninst the claimants and that there is
no doubt that an agreement existed
among them IN violation Of law.
The g claims involved amounted to
an aggregate area Of $50 acres. The
vniue OF the land has been estimated high
IN the millions The coal embraced in
the claims Is said 10 be among the finest
I'm the world.
Commissioner bennett makes frequent
reference 10 the work Of CLAWS In prose-
cutting the governments case against the
r-,-rrfnuharI1 claimants He also refers az
length 70 the negotiations between Gun
ningham and representatives OF the Gug-
genheims. who were shown at the Bal
-Pfnchot hearing TO have taken an
option on these coal lands. which were TO
be worked In connection with the other
executive Guggenheim interests In Alas
Ia.