The Ekalaka eagle. [volume] (Ekalaka, Mont.) 1909-1920, 1912-02-23
Immediate Legislation Is I'm
perative, Says the Presi-
dent.
ASKS new LAWS FOR ALASKA
Rules Governing Acquisition Of Arid
or Semi-Arid Lands Should Be
Modified-Commission on
Cost Of Living.

sage OF the work or the interior de-
partment and other matters was read
to Congress today.
To the Senate and House of Repre-
sentatives:
There is no branch of the Federal
jurisdiction which calls more impera-
lively for immediate legislation thar
that which concerns the public do
main. and especially the part of that
domain which is in Alaska.
The progress under the reclamation
act has made clear the defects OF its
limitations, which should be remedied.
The rules governing the acquisition
of homesteads, of land that is not arid
or semi-arid. are not we'll adapted to
the perfecting Of title to land made
arabic by government reclamation
work.
concur with the Secretary OF the
Interior in his recommendation that,
after entry is made Upon land being
reclaimed. actual occupation as a
homestead of the same be not re-
quired until two years after entry,
but that cultivation Of the same shall
be required. and that the present pro
vision under which the LAND is to be
paid for in ten annual instal!ments
shall be SO modified as to allow a pat
ent issue for the land at the end of
five years cultivation and three
years occupation. with a reservation
OF a government lien for the amount
of the unpaid purchase money. This
leniency to the reclamation home
steader will relieve him from occupa-
ton at a time when the condition of
the land makes it most burdensOme
and difficult, and at the end OF fivc
years will furnish him with a title
upon which he can borrow money and
continue the Improvement Of his hold
ing.
! also concur in the recommends
ton Of the Secretary Of the Interior
that all of our public domain should
be classified and that each class
should be disposed Of or administered
in the manner most appropriate TO
that particular class.
Leasing of Government Lands.
The chief change. however, which
ought to he made. and which | have
already recommended in previous
messages and Communications to con
gress, is that by which government
coal land and phosphate and other
mineral lands containing non-metal-
liferous minerals. shall be leased by
the government, with restrictions az
to size and time. resembling those
which now obtain throughout the
country between the owners in fee
and the lessees who work the mines
and in leases like those which have
been most successful in Australia
New Zealand, and Nova Scotia. The
showing made by investigations into
the successful wOrNing of the leasing
system leaves no doubt as to its wis
dom and practical utility. Require
ments as to the working of the mine
during the term may be so framed
as to prevent any holding of large
mining properties merely for specula
ton, while the royalties may be made
sufficiently low, not unduly to in
crease the cost Of the coal mined. ant
at the same time sufficient to furnish
} a reasonable income for the use o
the public in the community where
. the mixing goes on. In Alaska, there
is no reason why a substantial income
/ should not thus be raised for sucl
public works as may be dcome:
necessary or useful.
Would Build Trunk Line Railroad.
! am not in favor Of governmon
D ownership where the same certain,
and efficiency Of service can be hat
by private enterprise, but | think tn,
# conditions presented in Alaska are o
T such a character as to warrant tn,
government. for the purpose of e1
c~ouraging The development of TIA
e vast and remarkable territory, t
build and W a trunk line railroad
= which it can lease on terms whic'
may be varied and changed to NEE
I the growing prosperity and develol
ment of the territory.
| have already recommended t
n congress the establishment OF a forl
a. OF commission government for Ala
e ka. The territory is too extended, it
needs are too varied. and it's distanc
" from Washington too remote to el
able Congress to keep up with it
necessities in the matter of leglsl:
IS ton OF a local character.
" The governor of Alaska in his r.
port points out certain laws tn;
q ought to be adopted, and emphasize