Weekly journal-miner. [volume] (Prescott, Ariz.) 1908-1929, 1912-02-07
TAFT'S MESSAGE
STATES NEED
OF CHANGE

grcss his promised message on Alaska
and the public domain in general. In
urging the construction Of govern
ment railroad commission form Of
government and other needed legisla
tion for tho far.away territory, Presi
dent Taft declared there was nothing
in the history Of the United States
which afforded such just reason for
criticism Ms the failure Of tho federal
government TO extend the benefit Of
its fostering care 20 Alaska
81 am not in favor of government
ownership where the same certainty
and efficiency Of service can be had
by private enterprise" said the
President. "but think the condi
tions presented in Alaska are Of
such n character as TO warrant the
government, for the purpose OF en-
couraging the development of that
vast and remarkable territory to build
and own trunk line railroad, which
IL can lease on terms which may be
varied and changed to meet the grow
ing prosperity and development OF the
territory
President Taft said there was little
likelihood that the Morgan Guggen.
helm interests would open up rail.
road under the present conditions in
Alaska.
The President would have a com.
mission form Of government for Al.
aaku nna.ha1f 80 sHa
be elected and the other half ap.
pointed by the President
\ leasing system was proposed by
the President for government coal
and phosphate lands in Alaska, as
well as in the United States.
The reclamation laws Of the United
States should be modified. in the
opinion OF the President 80 that a
homesteader might be granted n pat
ent at the end of five years of cult
walton and three years OF occupation.
The President also would relieve
homesteaders from the requirement Of
occupation at time when the condi-
tion of the land would make il bur.
densome and difficult.
Following a suggestion of Secretary
of the Interior Fisher. President Taft
declared in his message that the con.
troll Of waterpower sites should re.
main in the national government rath.
or than be turned over to the states.
lie would have the sites disposed OF
by direct lease from the government,
the rental 10 be used in improvement
Of the stream and for the benefit Of
the local community where the power
site was located. The President would
gave TO the states the right TO regu.
hte the rates at which the converted
power was sold. The proper DISPOSE
ton Of waterpower sites has been
one of the most serious subjects dis
cussed by conservationists. President
Taft believes that the leasing system
he now suggests il the best solution
of the problem; that IL would mean
honesty Of administration and the
prevention OF abuses which a mono.
poly Of absolute ownership in private
persons or companies would make pos
siblc.
President Taft in his message also
refers in the following language 10
the Lower Colorado River:
There IL transmitted herewith n
letter from the Secretary Of the In
terror setting out the work done under
joint resolution approved June 25,
1910, authorizing the expenditure Of
Sl,OO0,0OO. or so much thereof as
might be necessary, to be expended
by the President for the purpose Of
protecting lands and property in the
Imperial valley and elsewhere along
the Colorado river in Arizona. The |
money was expended and the protec- |
tive works erected, but the disturb.
anees in Mexico 30 delayed the work,
and the floods in the Colorado river
were 80 extensive that part Of the
works have been carried away, and
the need for further action and OK.
penditure of money exists. | do not
make definite recommendation at
present, for the reason that the plan
10 be adopted for the .betterment Of
conditions near the mouth Of the
N""'""" I''i PfoN'S 10 nc so de-
pendend on free and full agree.
ment between the government Of
Mexico and the government of the
United States as to joint expenditure
and joint use that IL Is unwise to
move until we can obtain some agree. |
ment with that government which
viii enable US 10 submit TO Congress
larger plan, better adapted to the
exgeneies presented than the one
adopted. IL Is essential that we act
promptly, and through the state de-
partment the matter il being pressed
upon the attention Of the Mexican
government. Meantime, report Of
tho engineer in charge, together with
a subsequent report upon his work by
body Of experts appointed by the
Seeretar yof the mtprior togetber