The Richmond Virginian. (Richmond, Va.) 1910-1920, 1911-06-26


fecsive so that they would have been
invalidated regardless OF the decision
Affecting the group generally.
II was shown that the Morgan-Cug-
xenheim syndicate held an option to
finance and take over the development
Of lands through a I'VE million dollar
corporation. This option Was not rati-
ned by 4 majority Of the claimants put
the GuEgenheims contended that II was
binding and were prepared to sue 70
enforce IL IL the claims were patented.
viii Push the Fight
Secretary Fisher announced to-day
that all other Alaskan coal claims
will be pushed rapidly to conclusion
and that Congress will be asked at
the next session to enact new laws
affecting the Alaskan lands. He Is
sued the following statement
This Is a Anal decision OF the
Cunningham claims. SO far as the
Department of the Interior Is con.
cerned Any further proceedings Will
be merely formal for the purpose or
perfecting the record In case the
claimants think there are questions.
Of law which they desire TO present
to the courts, II Is my understand
ing that II Is conceded that the ind
ings upon the facts by the depart
ment are conclusive.
1t IS the iHtentiUu cI thc orpdi y
nent to proceed at once to q. final
determination OF all the remaining
Alaskan coal claims so far as this
can properly be done. denying those
that should be denied, and granting
those that should be granted. as rap
idly as possible.
II do not believe the present laws
applicable to coal lands In Alaska are
wise or practicable laws. Neverthe-
less. their provisions must be enforc-
| ed, first, because they are the law,
and. second, because they afford the
only protection to the public welfare
against the abuses of monopoly and
unrestricted private exploitation.
! Wants Laws Amended.
II sincerely trust that these laws
/ will be- modified at the next session
| OF Congress. so as TO permit the de-
yeiopment Of the Alaska coal fields
under provisions that will more ade-
auately protect and promote the pub
lie interest. If, however. there are
claims now pending which. under the
existing law, are entitled to patent,
see no Justification for not taking
action upon them as promptly as the
department can be assured that 1t II
in possession of the facts upon which
such action must ultimately be tax
en-"
The lands involved in the Gun
bingham coal claims" comprise thir'
ty-three entries. each fraction less
than half a mile square. including
slightly less than $50 acres each, OF
an aggregate area OF $3.50 acres. This
claims lie in the Juneau district. ane
form a part OF the Kataila coal fields
The center of the group is abou
twenty four miles northeast Of Ka
Italia. The Chugach national forest
established February 2S, 500, In
ciudcs about two. thirds OF the claims
Ship Claims Victory.
Thomas K. Shipp. secretary of th'
National Conservation Association
issued the following statement:
The decision of the Department o
the Interior cancelling the Cunning
ham claims is a great victory for con
servation. Aside from the value o
tho coal deposits thus saved to tn
people, 1t Is of the utmost importance
to the whole country in that 1t shoul'
clear the way for the prompt develop
ment of Alaskan coal fields for III
benefit Of all the people.
This is the principle which III
National Conservation Association ha
advocated ali along. The associa tiol
has eontended that these fields shoul,
, be developed promptly. but not un
der conditions of monopoly. on whicl
ground the claims have been can
celled. On account of monopoly tn
people of Alaska have been payin
from sl2 TO S14 a ton for coal nc
as good as that in their own fields.
The decision should relieve tha
unfortunate condition and should en-
, able coal operators to go In and de
velop the Alaska fields so that Alas
, ka, the government and the people O
the whole country may get the benef
3 of these very valuable natural re
sources
a Secretary Fishers recommends
; ton of new legislation better to safe
guard the public interest in the de
velopment of Alaska is n practic;
constructive step forward. represent
:, ing principle for which the Nation;
:, Conservation Association has Ion
been striving Vigorously