The Chitina leader. [volume] (Chitina, Alaska) 1910-1928, 1912-01-27

Ine recommendations OF Secretary Fisher his first
nual report to Congress cearu suggestions proposing
remedies for the problems facing the American
pie Others have pointed out defects without caring sug
gest remedy while it must be said to the credit of the
tary whether with all his views that
big enough to tackle the job and did not try dodge any
the issues good part Of his report is devoted Alaska
but he goes into the question of state federal rights
clamaon water power pension bureau Indian affairs home
stead laws, land department. mineral and timber laws etc.
in each pointing out the weak places and offering
structve suggestions Though his report be
at LENGTH the following extracts will give idea of his
Of thought on many subjects:
Conditions in Alaska calls for immediate action by Con-
gress The laws neither promote development protect
public interest Our mining laws should be revised and par
cuary the the power attorney should be abolished
or greatly curtaed and safegurded At present there
limitation whatever upon the number of claims which can be
entered by single man attorneys for others.
also recommend earnestly the adjustment Of the law
OF the apex 1t should not be allowed gain any further
oothod in the public domain and it should be abolished
before has been extended further in Alaska It is nm
sound in principle and leads expensive tiga
ton.
Many men who would make admirable settlers and citi-
zens OF the Western states prevented from acquiring the
homes and the substantial livelihood which would otherwise
be opened to them I whatever for insisting
upon the requirement of actual residence the
such
The present laws relating to waerpower hopeessy in
adequate The protection of the public supposed
to be accomplished by the statutory provision that permits
for the development of watepower shall be revocabe
time at the will of the administrative officials This is thor
oughly unsound both in principle and in practice
Logically the derived from power may be-
long to the nation for it's general but would seem that
national and local interests best be reconced
these to local improvements as such
ments necessary and wise Such removes one of the
principal objections to federal control.
1t the nsistence upon keeping the books such
laws the timber and stsne and those authorizing the
cutting of timber mineral lands which necestates the
adoption Of restrictive legislation administrative reeua
lions that hamper real settlement and developments we can
frankly adopt and put into force laws which will absolutely
prevent mere exploitation for safely
al laws and regulations to legitimate development
We should aid the unfortunate in proper wav but
merely sentimental axity with the shess incompetent
can only work disaster to the public large and to the in
dvldua settlers whose industry and ability ente them the
substantial reward which awaits those who really reclaim the
desert What needed is wise administrative ability in those
who are put in charge of the reclamation projects after they
opened for entry.
1t is this sort of exploitation reerrng to the stone and
timber act which should be frankly absolutely prevented
and which, prevented would enable many Of
the restrictive provisions which rrtae and hamper the
bona fide settler and industrial pioneer The man on the
ground should be the object of socude and we should
protect him against those who would place upon his shoulders
any unnecessary burden
The coal used in Alaska for all purposes during the wear
was 6OO TONS The prices the have ranged from
$lo ton at juneau to $230 at Nome The inadequate laws
the pendng contests on private entries and the general with
drawa of the coal lands have combined to prevent the deye
opment of Alaskan COAL The has been imported and
less than one-third of it has come from the u S.
In the Interior wood is the fuel in general for all pur
poses while the coast oil is suppantng COAL the rail
roads and steamship lines of Alaska and the Interior Pacific
Coast being equipped for this fuel the supply which
drawn from the California oil fields.
Taft is proving himself good long distance racer.