Amarillo daily news. [volume] (Amarillo, Tex.) 19??-current, 1912-01-09
FISHER SUBMITS
ANNUAL REPORT
Secretary of Interior Rec.
Ommends Enlargement
of Lease System
nv Associated Press

the Development OF the mintol re-
sources OF Alaska, particularly ~
coal lands. and immediate consider
alton by congress OF the whole sub
ject of water-power development AMI
control. are the most important re-
commendations contained in the an
nual report of Secretary OF the In
TERROR Fish
A general overhauling OF condi-
tions In Alaska is needed. tie Sec
Rotary says. lie favors law for ths
retirement OF government employees.
placing II on the ground of rood
business policy. He urges the crea-
ton of a bureau OF rational parks.
each of them at present being "a
separate and distinct unit for ad-
illustrative purposes. There Is also
serious need. he declares, for the en-.
largement of the work OF the bureau
OF mines.
The great public movement for
the conservation " our national re-
sources saws Secretary Fisher. is
not In any way opposed to prompt
and wise development Of the publ
domain The essential thing Is to
see that under the guisc Of settle
ment. We dc not permit more exploit
tation. which In the last analysis r..
tards both settlement and develop
mepi. He recommends. therefore
certain notifications OF existing laws
relating 10 the public domain so as
to permit It's proper development
MANY Of the restrictive provisions
which now irritate and hamper the
bona fide settler and industrial pion-
Ger. should he removed, he SAYS.
"Thc man on the ground should be
the object % our solicitude, and We
should protect him against those who
would place upon his shoulders any
necessary burden.
In regard to agricultural land set
tiers. Secretary Fisher holds that the
law should insist absolutely upon cui-
tivation but should permit the re-
Taxation Of the rule requiring resi-
dence during the first two years" In
some cases on account of conditions
there being mo reason whatcver for
insisting upon the requirement. o.
actual residence at the ogtseL
Some Modification ~ -AF,
regard TO repayment Of Reclamation
charges is recommended ard change
In the law Is proposed 10 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.
NO land should be open to home
stead entry" he declares. except
that which is really suitable for
homes and then the homenlaker
should he 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 ont a
constant invitation TO abuse and 20
mere exploitation.
The public range can rot be pro-
perly administered under the exist
inc Jaw. II should be leased for graz-
inc purposes under the broad admin
strative discretion of the secretary
of the interior, so that the leases can
be adapted 10 actual conditions and
the legitimate interests Of the sheep
and cattle-mcn. Al present the range
itself is being destroyed and 10th
sheer and cattle men are coming TO
the conviction that their own inter-
ests will be better sutservei by a
leasing law.
In fact. the enlarged application
OF the leasing principle 10 the public
domain generally will. In nv judF-
mcnt more effectively promote devei-
opment and protect the public inter-
est than the present system. Ger
tainly coal. oil. gas. asphalt, nitrate,
and phosphate lands can be more ap'
propriately developed by leasehold
than by the present system Of classi-
fication and sale of the foe which
prevails with respect 10 coal.
In respect 10 such leasing in Alas
ka, the Secretary recommends that
, PASSAGE OF n liberal hut carefulls
guarded leasing law for the develop.
mcnt Of it's mineral resources, and cs-
pecially for its coal lands. Alaska''
greatest resources are her mineral.
and in the development Of these. The
precious metals still hold the pre-
dominant place Careful considera,
tion OF the provisions of an appro
pirate leasing law for the coal land,
of Alaska Is being continued throusf
the director OF the bureau OF mines
with n view to suggesting suct
changes in or substitute for bills OF
this subject which are now nendins
. i'm congress. rs NAV be desirable"
The proper administration and Do
velopment of Alaska can not be &C
. complished under existing laws. th.
Secretary declares; wherefore. HI
urges also the construction by tn
government OF a central trunk-linl
railroad from tidewater 10 the Tan
Il N..l-...s A.. .