Gilpin observer., 1912-02-08
URGES NEEDS OF
PUBLIC DOMAIN
Immediate Legislation Is Inn
perative, Says tho Presi-
dent.
ASKS NEW LAWS FOR ALASKA
Aulss Governing Acquisition Of Ard
~ osmLAid Lands should -
Modified on
Cost Of Living.

Modified d-commIssion on
Cost Of Living.
WAshington, Fob. IA special mes
0age on the work Of the interior do
partment and other matters was read
70 Congress today.
To the Senate and House Of Repre-
ssntativss:
There ID no branch Of the Federal
lively for immediate legislation than
that which concerns the public do
main, and especially the part Of that
domain which Is in Alaska
The progress under the reclamation
act has made clear the defects OF Its
limitations, which should be remedied.
Tho rules governing the acquisition
Of homesteads. of land that 10 not arid
or semi-arid, are not we'll adapted to
the perfecting of title to land made
arable BY government reclamation
work.
concur with the Secretary Of the
Interior in his recommendation that,
after entry 10 made UPON land being
reclaimed, actual occupation as
homestead of the same be not re-
Quired until two years after entry.
but that cultivation of the same shall
be required, and that the present pro-
vision under which tho land Ii to be
paid for in ten annual installments
shall be so modified as to allow a pat
snt issue for the land at tho end OF
nve years cultivation and three
years. occupation, with . reservation
Of a government lien for the amount
of the unpaid purchase money. This
leniency to the reclamation home
steader will relieve him from occupa-
tdon at q time when the condition Of
the land makes It most burdensome
and difficult. and at the end Of fve
years will furnish him with q title
upon which he can borrow money and
continue the improvement Of his hold
ting.
t1on Of the Secretary of the Interior
that all Of our public domain should
be classified and that each class
should be disposed Of or administered
IN the manner most appropriate to
that particular class.
Leasing Of Government Lands.
The chief change. however. which
ought to be made and which I have
already recommended in previous
messages and communications to con-
gress. 10 that by which government
coal land and phosphate and other
mineral lands containing non-metal-
liferous minerals. shall be leased BY
the government. with restrictions as
TO size and time. resembling those
which now obtain throughout the
country between the owners in fee
and the lessees who work the mines.
and in leases like those which have
been most successful in Australia.
New Zealand. and Nova Scotia. The
showing made by investigations into
the successful working of the leasing
system leaves no doubt as to its wis
dom and practical utility. Require
mepts as to the working of the mine
during the term may be so framed
~ to prevent any holding Of large
mining properties merely for specula-
don. while the royalties may be made
sufnciently low, not unduly to in
crease tho cost Of the coal mined. and
at the same time sufficient to furnish
. reasonable income for the use OF
the public in the community where
the mining goes on. In Alaska, there
10 no reason why a substantial income
should not thus be raised for such
public works as may be deemed
necessary or useful.
Would Build Trunk Line Railroad.
am not in favor of government
ownership where the same certainty
and efficiency Of service can be had
by private enterprise. but think the
conditions presented in Alaska are oi
such q character as to warrant the
government, for the purpose of en-
couraSing the development of thai
vast and remarkable territory, tc
build and own q trunk line railroad
which It can lease on. terms which
may be varied and changed to mee'
the growing prosperity and develop
mont Of the territory.
have already recommended Il
Congress the establishment Of form
Of commission government for Alas
IA. Tho territory 10 too extended. III
needs are too varied. and It's distance
from Warrington too remote to on
able Congress to keep up with IL
necessities In the matter Of legisla
ton of a local character.
The governor of Alaska in his re
port points out certain laws tina
ought to be adopted. and emphasizes
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