The Greenville journal. [volume] (Greenville, Ohio) 1850-1918, 1911-02-16

bered countries bordering on the Car
ribean sea and other places. II the
farmers wheat, dairy products, cattle,
sheep and other live animals are to
be left without the panacea of protec-
tion, why not amend Schedule X"
Of the Payne-Aldrich bill, drawn al
most scandalously in the interest of
the eastern manufacturer? II free tin
and terne plates from Canada, where
little OF this business is done, why not
from Wales, where they make tin and
terne plates in quantities? And 30
on through the list
Probably President Taft, who II one
OF the best-meaning men who ever
tenanted that most coveted mansion,
thS White House, did not appreciate
what a firebrand he had thrown INTO
congress when in the very last days
of a short session he presented for
ratification this Canadian reciprocity
treaty. The reason probably is that
Mr.. Taft, though one of the most
charming Of men personally, is per.
haps the poorest politician that has
held the presidency in The last quar-
ter century-and In writing that do
not forget Benjamin Harrison, who
was able to force his own renomina-
ton, but not his reelection. Unless
signs fail, Mr.. Taft may not be able
to accomplish either.
Extra Session Boeey.
II there is anything likely to injure
the prospects of the Republican party
It will be the sudden irruption Of the
tariff question into the few remaining
days of this session of congress. 1t
will solidify the Democrats and dis
rupt the Republicans. But more than
anything else it will bring about, what
neither Democrats nor Republicans
want, an extra session of congress.
Certain newspapers are pleading
vigorously for an extra session. They
are insisting that the time is ripe for
a revision of the tariff downward.
Some of them are foolish enough to
demand that Champ Clark, the next
speaker, shall call 1t now-overlook-
ing the mere constitutional fact that
only the president has that authority.
Others demand that the Democrats In
the house shall force 1t, not compre-
hending that an extra session forced
by Democratic obstruction in congress
would probably result in Democratic
disaster in the next presidential cleo
ton. But If the Democrats, after
proper discussion in the caucus or in
their ways and means committee
should press amendments to the Nc
Call bill, which would express the
Democratic position on the tariff, the
treaty would probably go over to the
next session-unless an extra session
resulted.
More Alaska Trouble.
Alaska Is likely to make much trou-
BILE for this congress and this admin
istration. Incidentally It may be re-
marked that this government has
made much trouble for Alaska and for
the American citizens who went thith-
er to develop the country.
When that territory was purchased
for $7,200,000 from Russia the people
Of this country generally rose in
wrath and roared with rage. Secre-
tary Seward was roundly denounced
for negotiating the treaty. Just now
there are pending in congress GER
tain deals that will involve turning
over to certain interests more than
FIVE times the whole amount the terri
tory cost. They involve so small a
part of Alaska as to be hardly discern
| able on the map.
Curiously enough, this lavish gift to
private interests Is offered under the
guise Of conserving cur natural and
national resources. 1t grows out of
those eternal Cunningham coal claims
in Alaska which made of clerk in
the interior department, one CLAWS,
hero; made Clifford Pinchot a very
receptive candidate for the presidency,
and made the unfortunate Ballinger
the target for all who accepted maga-
zine misstatements, and the real goat
of the administration. This Is only a
small chapter in the history of the
struggle for the wealth lying in the
Alaska coal mines, but it will serve
as an introduction to the more com.
plete story.
Senator Nelson's Bill Defective.
Into the senate of the United States
week or so ago Senator Nelson in
troduced "Bill to provide for the leas
ing of coal and coal lands in the ter
ritory of Alaska" Among those in
formed as to mineral conditions in
Alaska, and unhappily there are few
in congress thus informed, many
points in the bill come in for severe
criticism. For the moment can
comment on one only.
Section three of the bill authorizes
the secretary of the interior to lease
at his own discretion, on behalf of the
United States coal lands not exceeding
5000 acres to each applicant at {
royalty of FIVE CENTS A TON CT Goa
extracted.
The Governments Royalty.
Kindly note that royalty. FTvF
CENTS A TON. That is the measur,
which the government puts upon it,
interest in the coal lands of Alaska
lands which l am credibly informed
are worth more than all those left il
Pennsylvania.
Now take what are known as the
Cunningham claims" They compre
hend according to Official reports
lands with between 5O,OOO,OOO and 80.
100000 tons readily mineable. Th'
first estimate was made by a Pincho
witness in the celebrated Ballinge
controversy. The geological survey in
clines to the larger estimate. Suppos
we split the difference and call it 70
100000 tons. Under the leasing sys
fam the limited States would deriV