Rock Island Argus., 1911-07-25


Theodore smashes Land Grabbers.
Former President Roosevelt, editor
tally In the Outlook, smashes the de-
Tense OF the Ryan landgrabbers OF
Controller bay IN Alaska Their con-
tention IL that the Controller bay out
let from the coal lands is Of no great
value. This Is shown by Roosevelt
to be ridiculous. for as he writes.
Controller bay, under actual condi-
tions, offers the only chance, OF at
any rate very must the best chance. for
a free outlet from the great Bering NV
er coal field"
Colonel Roosevelt asserts that what
ever retarding Of the proper develop
ment of Alaska has occurred is due di-
rectly to the great syndicates and CoT-
porations such as the Guggenheir1s,
who have fought steadily backed by
the authorities at Washington, for spe-
cial privileges and Illegal favors.
During the two years preceding
last March until the appointment CT
Mr.. Fisher, Mr.. Roosevelt writes, the
interior department, in effect, sided
with those great capitalists who wish
CN ~ '1CfCAOp AAaoho Dy lbahAnS CA~Gi-
nous fortunes for themselves outside
of, and in defiance Of. the law. The re-
sponsibility for the delay in the devcI-
opment Of Alaska lies solely at their
doors.
In 1906. when, on the recommen;la-
tion of Secretary Hitchcock. the first
withdrawal of the coal lands of Alas
ka was made, the effort TO open the
coal lands was begun by those then
in authority.
The foremost advocates OF conser-
vation have never ceased from thai
day 10 this in the effort TO secure the
opening of these coal lands unde-
proper conditions, and the chief OBJ
staCle in the way has been the att
tude of the men in public and private
life, who have been bent upon prevent
ing any development Of Alaska unless
ii could take the shape of a develop
ment through great law-breaking syn.
dicates, who sought absolute monop1-
listic control of the coal fields, and
who. provided they could thereby
achieve this purpose. were equally
willing to violate the existing law,
and prevent the enactment of bet.sr
laws.
Il wish also TO call attention to the
essential fact as regards the Controller
bay situation. Controller bay, under
actual conditions. offers the Only
chance. or at any rate very much tae
best chance. for a free outlet fron
the great Bering river coal fields. II
was the imperative duty of the govern
ment service 10 keep this outlet free,
and not to dispose of il to any indiv, /
ual corporation or individuals. The gov
ernment should have held this land n
permitting its use by any
individual or corporation only under
conditions that would subserve the
general interest. Unfortunately. the
Interior department last October, elm
mated from the government reselvs
not only the 320 acres, the elimination
Of which was mistakenly recommended
by the agricultural department, but
12, 500 acres.
Whether there was or was not i'm |
in the way IN which the |
was brought about. does !
not go 70 the root of the matter. Ihe /
root of the matter is that no such !
should have been made ny /
the interior department. The pubic /
INTEREST," demanded that this land /
should be kept under public control I
and that to prevent monopoly its use /
should have been permitted only under /
such conditions as the public need lie |
luired."