The Meridian times. (Meridian, Idaho) 1909-1938, 1912-02-09
URGES NEEDS OF
PUBLIC DOMAIN
Immediate Legislation Is Inn
perative. Says the Presi-
dent.
ASKS NEW LAWS FOR ALASKA
Rules Governing Acquisition o. Arid
Or semI-Arld Lands should De
Modlfed--comnlssIon on
Cost OF Living.

Washington, Feb, 2.--A special mos
sage on the work Of the interior do
partment and other matters was read
10 Congress tuday.
TO the Senate and House Of Repre-.
aentativeR:
There In 90 branch Of the Federal
jurisdiction which Gala more impcra-
lively tor immediate legislation than
that which concerns the public do
maIn. and especially tho part Of that
domain which 10 in Alaaka.
The progress under the reclamation
act has made clear the defects Of It's
limitations. which should be rsmedied.
The rules governing the acquisition
81 homesteads. 81 land that Is not arid
or semkarid. ARE not we'll adapted to
the pexfecging Of title 20 land made
arabie BIZ government reclamation
work
| concur with the Secretary Of the
Interior Ia his recommendation that,
after entry ID made upon land being
reclaimed actual occupation as a
homestead of the same be not re-
CURED Until two years after entry,
but that cultivation OF the same shall
be required. and that the present pro.
vlsien under which tho land ii to be
paid for In ten annual inHtallments
shall be SO modified as to allow pat
ent issue for the land az the end Of
five years cultivation and three
years occupation. with a reservation
Of government lien for the amount
OF the unpaid purchase money This
leniency 10 the reclamation home.
steader win relieve him from oeeupa.
ti0n al d time when the condition Of
the lard makes II most bnrdensome
and difficult, and az the end of Avs
years viii furnish him with title
apon which he can borrow money and
continue the Improvement Of his hold.
Ing
also concur Tn the recommends.
tion Of the Secretary of the Interior
that all Of our public domain should
be classified and that each oiaaa
should he dispoaed Of or administered
10 the manner most appropriate i
tfat particular elaaa.
Eeaeing 81 Government Lands.
The chief change, however. whicf
ought 70 be made. and which have
already recommended IN previous
messages and communications 70 con
gress. ID that by which government
coal land and phosphate and ethel
mineral lands containing nes metal
llferous minerals. shall be leased By
the government. with restrictions ii
10 size and time. resembling those
which now obtain throughout th,
country between the owners IN fes
and the lessesB who work the mines
and ID ieases like those which hays
been most successful In Australia
New Zealand. and Nova Scotia. III,
showing made by Investigations int
the successful working Oh the LEASING
system leaves no doubt as To- It's wis
dom and practical utility. Require
merits AZ Co the working Of the min,
during the term may be so frame,
az te prevent any holding of largJ
mining properties merely for speeula
ton, while the royalties may he mad
sufficiently low. not unduly to Ii
0reaBe the cost Of the coal mined. an
~ the same time sufficient 10 fuFntsl
reasonable income for the use 0
the public IN the community wher
the mining gees on. IN Alaska, ther
IL no reason why a substantial ineom
should net thus be raised for sue
public works AZ may be deeme
necessary or useful,
Would RuIld Trunk Line Railroad.
| am not In favor Of goyernmer
ownership where the same certalnt
and efficiency Of service can be ha
BY private enterprise. but think th
conditions presented in Alaska are ,
such . character as TO warrant III
government. for the purpose OF q
couraging the development OF thi
vast and remarkable territory.
build and own a trunk line railroa
which Il can lease on terms while
may be varied and changed TO me
the growing prosperity and deyeio
ment OF the territory.
have already recommended
Congress the establishment Of for
OF commission government for Ala
ka The territory is too extended,
needs are too varied. and It's distan
from Washington too remote TO {
able Congress to keep up with
necessities In the matter of legis
ton Of local character.
The governor Of Alaska in his
port points out certain laws Ii
ought to be adopted, and emphasis