Albuquerque evening herald. [volume] (Albuquerque, New Mexico) 1911-1914, 1912-01-08
Secretary Of Interior in An
nual Report, Takes Stand
for Development Of Public
Domain.
BONA FIDE SETTLER
SHOULD BE ENCOURAGED
Believes Law Should Protect
Those Who File on Agricul-
tural Lands, but Insist on
Proper Cultivation.

Washington, Jan. S--Enlargod app
pllcation Of the leading principle as
applied 60 the public domain. especial
Is liberal leasing law Tor the de-
vciopmcnt Of the mineral resources
OF Alaska, particularly OF its ccal
lands. ana immediate consideration
by congress Of the wiole subject Of
water power development aud con-
troll are he most important recon-
mendntons contained in the annual
report of Secretary OF Interior Fisher
made public today.
A general oyerhauling 81 conditions
in Alaska IL needed, tho Secretary
says. lie favors law for the retire
ment of government employees, place
ing it ON the ground of good business
policy lie urges the creation OF
bureau Of national parks. each of
them at present being "a separate and
distinct unit for administrative pur-
poses" There Is also serious need, he
declares for the enlargement OF the
work of the bureau of mines.
THE great pupiic movement for the
conservation OF out national re-
sources says secretary Fisher. "is
not in any way opposed to prompt
ana wise development OF the public
domain The essential thing Is To see
that under the guise of settlement,
we do not permit mere exploitation,
which IN the last analysis retards both
settlement and development" lie
recommends. therefore. certain modi-
locations OF existing laws relating TO
the public domain 40 as 10 permit its
proper development
which not irrItate and hamper the
bona hde settler ana Industrial pio-
neer, should be removed. he says
The man on the ground should De
the object OF our s3iicitude and we
should protect him against those who
place upon his shoulders any bur-
Gen"
In regard 10 agricultural land set
tiers. Secretary Fisher holds that the
law should insist absolutely upon cul-
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 whatever for
insisting upon the requirement OF ac-
tuai residence az the outset"
Some mobilization Of the law in
regard 90 repayment OF reclamation
charges Is recommended and a change
In the law Is proposed TO permit the
settler al any time after five years
from the date OF entry and after he
has lived for three years upon his
land, 10 acquire tiile to the property.
mo land should be open to home
stead entry. he declares except that
which Is really suitable for homes
I. L. Il. H..
aided In every proper way.
THE timber ana stone act should
De Immediately repealed. and also the
act authorizing the cutting Of timber
on mineral lands They hold out a
constant invitation and 20 mere ex-
ploitatlon.
The public range can not be prop
esly administered under the existing
law. u should be leased FOR grazing
purposes under the broad admlnlstra-
iiyb discretion OF the secretary Of the
interior. SO that the ieasee can 1e
adapted 10 actual conditions and the
legitimate interests Of the sheep ana
cattle men. ~ present the range
itEelf IL being destroyed and both
sheep and cattle men are coming 20
the c0n7iction that their own inter-
csis Will be better subserved by a
leasing law.
"In fact the enlarged application
~ tho leasng principle 10 the public
domain ceneraily VIII. in my iudg-
mont more effectively promote de-
velopmcnt and protect the public in
torcst Than the present system. Cer-
tainly coal. OH. gas asphalt, nitrate.
and phosphate lands can be more ape
propriately developed by leaAehold
than by the present system 0f ciassi-
hcatou ana sale Of the Zee which pre-
walls with respect to coal.
ln respect 90 such leg sing IN Alaska,
tine secretary recommends that pas
SAKE Of n liberal hut carefully guard
ed leasing law for the development 81
its mineral resources. and especially
for its coal lands AlaFka's greatest
resources are nor minerals and ln the
development of these, the precious
metals sam hold The predominant
place. Careful consideration Of the
provisions of an appropriate leasing
law for the coal lands of Alaska Inc
being continued through Tao director
OF The bureau 81 mines with a view to
suggesting such ChimRos in or SUD
rtltute for bills on this subject which
orc now pending in congress. as may
be desirable"
The proper administration and dee
Feiopncnt OF Alaska can not ho acc
complishod under existing laws, the
secretary declares. wherefore. DE
urges also the construction hy this
government ~ central trunk line
Railroad from Underwater 10 thc Tam
ana and Yukon. tho reservation OF "a
SUFFICIENT amount of coal lands 20 proc
vide for tho future needs Of the navy,
this coal 40 be mined by the govern
ment, more liberal appropriations for
roads and trails, and the adoption Of
form of territorial government a