Arizona republican. [volume] (Phoenix, Ariz.) 1890-1930, 1912-01-08

more effectively promote development
and protect the public interest than the
present system. Certainly coal, all.
gas. asphalt, nitrate and phosphate
lands can be more appropriately devel-
oped by leaseholI than bv the present
system of classification and sale of the
fec which prevails with respect to
coal"
In respect to such Leasing in Alaska,
the secretary recommends that pas
sage of a liberal but carefully guarded
leasing law for the development of its
mineral resources AMI especially for
its coal lanls. Alaska's greatest re-
sources are her minerals and in the de-
Velopment of these, the pTccioUS met
ais still hold the predominant place.
Careful consideration of the provisions
of an appropriate leasing law for the
coal lands Of Alaska in being cOntin-
ued through the director Of the bureau
of mines. with a view to suggesting such
changes i'm or substitute for bills on
this subject which are now pending
in congress. as may be desirable"
The proper administration and de-
velcpment Of Alaska can not be ac-
complishcl under existing laws, the
secretary declares; wherefore, he urg-
es also the construction by the gov
ernment of d central trunk-line rail-
road from tidewater to the Tanana and
Yukon: 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 a form or
territorial government, a commission
form being suggested. better adaptcj
To- its remote situation and peculiar To-
cal conditions.
The whole subject of water-p)wer
development and control should. in my
judgment, receive the immediate con-
sideratiOn of congress" says the sec
rotary, and constructive legislation
should be adopted without further lie
lay. ! believe the federal government
has adequate constitutional power to
control water-pOwer development both
in navigable streams and upon the
public domain and to exact cOmpensa-
ton and to impose proper conditions
in either case. 1t is apparent that the
federal government can act more ef-
fcctively than the states in many cases
No correct or permanent solution Of
the watenpOwer question can be reach
Ell until the interests Of the state and
o. the nation have been recOncilcd The
federal government should not part
with any of its constitutional powers.
~, !,
to become essential to the protection Of
the public interest.
1t is unsOunJ both in principle and in
practice. he says. that permits for the
development Of water power are revcc-
able at any time 1T the will of the adj
miniStrative officials.
He concurs in the recommendation Of
a specially appointed board which sug-
gostcd the appointment Of an ntcrna-
ticnal Colorado river commission. To be
composed Of American ana Mexican
OF that problem.
\ modern and properly equipped
building for the patent office. a-ldi-
tional mine safety cars FOR the bureau
OF mines, the establishment of the
board Of pension appeals and increased
resources for federal bureau of educa-
ton To carry on its work, are among
the other recommendations in the re-
port
The secretary calls attention anew To
the inconsistent manner in which the
work Of the government has been Ii
vided among the interior. agricultural
patent office, he says. should be I'M
der the department of commerce and
labor.