The Fargo forum and daily republican., 1912-01-08
WOULD LEASE
COAL LANDS
Continued From Page one.

L
tinct unit for administrative purposes"
There is also serious need, he declares,
for the enlargement Of the work of the
bureau Of mines.
The great public movement for the
conservation of our national re-
sources" says Secretary Fisher, "is
not in any way opposed to prompt and
wise development of the public domain.
The essential thing is to see that un-
| der the guise OF settlement, we do not
permit more exploitation. which in the
last analysis retards both settlement
and development" He recommends
therefore, certain notifications of ex-
listing laws relating to the public do
main so as to permit it's proper de-
velopment.
| Many of the restrictive provisions
which now irritate and hamper the
bona fide settler and industrial pio-
neer, should be removed, he says.
The man on the ground should be
| the object of our solitude, and be
should protect him against those who
would place upon his shoulders any
unnecessary burden"
In regard to agricultural land set
law should insist absolutely upon cul-
tivation but Should permit the re-
Taxation of the rule requiring resi-
| dence during the first two years" in
cases on account Of conditions there
! being mo reason whatever for in
sisting upon the requirement of ac-
tual residence at the outset"
Some modification Of the law in re-
gard to payment of reclamation
| charges is recommended and a change
in the law is proposed to permit the
| settler at any time after five years
from the date of entry and after he
has lived for three years upon his
land, to acquire title to the property.
mo land should be open to home
stead entry he declares, except that
which is really suitable for homes;
| and then the homemaker should be
aided in every proper way.
"The timber and stone act should be
| Immediately repealed, and also the act
authorizing the cutting of timber on
mineral lands. They hold out a con-
slant invitation to abuse and to mere
exploitation.
"The public range cannot be proper
1
| law. It should be leased for grazing
purposes under the broad administra-
| tive discretion of the secretary of the
| interior, so that the leases can be
adapted to actual conditions and the
| legitimate interests of the sheep AMI
| cattle men. At present the range IL
self is being destroyed and both sheep
| and cattle men are coming to the c)n-
viction that their own interests will
be better subserved by leasing law.
I'm fact, the enlarged application of
the leasing principle to the public do
main generally will, in my Judgment,
| more effectively promote developm mt
| and protect the public interest than
| the present system. Certainly coal,
oil, gas, asphalt. nitrate and phosphate e
lands can be more appropriately devel-
| oped by Ieasehold than by the present
| system of classification and sale Of the
fee which prevails with respect to
coal.'
In respect to such leasing in Alaska,
| the secretary recommends that pas
sage of a liberal but carefully guard
ed leasing law for the development of
| it's mineral resources, and especially
resources are her minerals and in the
development of these, the precious
metals still hold the predominant place.
Careful consideration Of the provis-
ions of an appropriate leasing law for
the coal lands of Alaska in being
continued through the director OF the
bureau of mines, with a view of sug-
gesting such changes in or substitute
for bills on this subject which are now
pending in congress as may be desir.-
able"
The proper administration and de-
yelopment of Alaska cannot be accom-
plished under existing laws, the secre-
tary declares; wherefore, he urges
also the construction by the govern
ment of central trunk-line railroad
from tidewater to the Tanana and Yu-
kon; the reservation of a sufficient
amount of the coal lands to provide
for the future needs OF the navy, this
coal to be mined by the government;
more liberal appropriations for roads
and trails; and the adoption of form
Of territorial government, commits
sion form being suggested, better
adapted to it's remote situation and
"The whole subject of waterpower
development and control should, in my
Judgment, receive the immediate con-
sideration OF congress-" says the sec
retary, and constructive legislation
should be adopted without further de-
lay. i believe the federal government
has adequate constitutional power to
control waterpower development both
in navigable streams and upon the
public domain and to exact compen-
sation and to impose proper conditions
in either case. 1t is apparent that the
federal government can act more ef-
fectiyely than the states I'm many
cases. No correct or permanent solu-
ton Of the waterpower question can be
reached until the interests OF the state
and of the nation have been reconciled.
The federal government should not
part with any of its constitutional
powers. The exercise is certain in the
future to become essential to the pro-
lection of the public interest"
1t is unsonnd both in principle and
in practice. he says that permits for
the development of waterpower are
revocable at any time at the will of
the administrative officials.
He concurs in the recommendation
OF specially appointed board which
suggested the appointment Of an inter-
national Colorado river commission, to-
be composed Of American and Mexi-
can engineers. to work out the treat
ment OF that problem.