The state herald., 1912-02-09
|CERN|NG THE
DOMAIN.
bent Taft, in Message to
kgress, Points Out Needs
| of Various Sections.
|KA TOO LONG NEGLECTED

kA TUO LUNG NEGleC lEU
Need Of Legislation That
d Develop the Resources Of the
Fitory and Afford Protection to
lers-Would Have Government
d and Own 4 Trunk Line Rail-
Waterway improvements.
ehington, Feb. 2.-President Taft
the following message to con-
today:
10 Senate and House Of Repre-
bntativcs:
Ire ia no branch Of the Federal
iction which calls more impera-
for immediate legislation than
u which concerns the public do
~ and especially the part Of that
iun1n which Is In Alaska
IL progress under the reclamation
4 lRs made clear the defects of Its
nations, which should be remedied.
- 5rules governing the acquisition
h6mesteads. Of land that is not arid
: oomi-arid, are not we'll adapted to
= perfecting of title to land made
~ by government reclamation
I Qoncur with the Secretary Of the
~ or In his recommendation that.
~ entry IL made upon land being
lG1Slmed, actual occupation as a
! stead of the same be not re-
ID until two years after entry,
That cultivation OF the same shall
): Squirrel. and that the present pro-
|1n under which the land is to be
- for in ten annual installments
- be so modified as to allow pat
& Issue for the land at the end Of
n years' cultivation and three
- occupation, with a reservation
= government lien for the amount
he unpaid purchase money. This
a1oncy to the reclamation home
so1er will relieve him from occupa-
q at time when the condition Of
y land makes It most burdensome
- difficult. and at the end OF Ave
Dass will furnish him with a title
~ which he can borrow money and
'otinue the improvement OF his hold
=
] also concur In the recommenda-
- OF the Secretary OF the Interior
~ all OF our public domain should
}, classified and that each class
I'D be disposed Of or administered
the manner most appropriate to
- particular class.
Leasing Of Government lands.
nc chief change. however. which
lGDt to be made. and which I have
1ody recommended In previous
o1Rages and communications to con
Ne. is that by which government
~ land and phosphate and other
lneral lands containing non.metal-
lDFous minerals. shall be leased by
= government. with restrictions ms
sino and time. resembling those
19rh now obtain throughout the
luntry between the owners In fee
y tho leesees who work the mines,
y In leases like those which have
IN most successful In Australia.
~ Zealand. and Nova Scotia. The
lewing made by Investigations into
y successful working OF the leasing
|otem leaves no doubt AZ 10 its wis
- and practical utility. Require
pits as TO the working of the mine
Ting the term may be so framed
TO prevent any holding OF large
ming properties merely for specula.
-, while the royalties may be made
nhcientiy low. not unduly to in.
|vase the cost OF the coal mined, and
|t'he same time sufficient TO furnish
Reasonable income for the use OF
y public in the community where
y mining goes on. In Alaska. there
no reason why n substantial income
Aould not thus be raised for such
bile works ms may be deemed
Dressary or useful.
you'd Build Trunk Line Railroad.
] am not In favor OF government
sncrahip whore the same certainty
" efficiency OF service can be had
private enterprise. but | think the
,nditions presented In Alaska are OF
rh n character as 10 warrant the
rernment, for the purpose OF en-.
niraging the development OF that
~ and remarkable territory, TO
1'id and own trunk line railroad.
eioh II can Lease on terms which
ey be varied and changed 10 meet
p growing prosperity and develop.
fnt Of tho territory.
y have already recommended TO
ensress the establishment Of a form
commission government for Alas.
y Tho territory IL too extended. its
>pds arc too varied, and lta dis,anc.
pm Washington too remot. TO on.
Die Congress TO keep up with It's
Dcsssities In tho matter Of lexisia.
on OF q local character,
7rhs governor OF Alaska In his re-
Drt points out certain laws that
lsht TO be adopted. and emphasizes
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