Ottumwa tri-weekly courier. [volume] (Ottumwa, Iowa) 1903-1916, 1913-12-25

| that we might lose 1t, or at least that
il would become the property of those
who would exploit it without respect to
the public interest
1--WE have withdrawn Alaska from
the too aggressive and self.serving ex-
ploiter What have we to substitute
as a safer servant Of public interest?
To this question l have given much
thought, and my conclusion is that if
we are to bring Alaska into the early
and full realization of her possibilities
we must create new piece or gov
ernmental machinery for the purpose.
We should undertake the work in the
spirit and after the method of great
corporation wishing to develope a
large territory. In my Judgment the
way to deal with the problem of Alask-
an resources is to establish board
Of directors to have this work in
charge Into the hands of this board
Or commission I would give all the ma
tional assets in that territory, to be
: used primarily for her improvement
her lands, fisheries, Indians, Eskimos.
seals, forests, mines, waterways, rail-
roads-all that the nation owns, cares
, for, controls or regulates. Congress
should determine in broad outline the
policies which this board in a liberal
discretion should elaborate and admin
! lister, much as is done as to the Phil
! ippines. This board would Of course,
have nothing whatsoever to do with
the internal affairs of the organized
territory of Alaska, for it would exer-
else no powers save such as congress
granted over the property of the Unit
ed States in Alaska"
In concluding his reasons for the
creation of such conservation machin-
cry for Alaska, Secretary Lane says:
"In short, I would construct the .ad-
nlinistrative machinery that would
most surely lead to prompt and con-
tiruous development of Alaska as a
part of the United States upon plane
commensurate with her possibilities
industrially, agriculturally and social
ly.
"Such railroads as may be construct
ed by individuals as feeders or tap
lines of the government roads should
be under governmental supervision.
capitalized and operated under the
strictest regulation and be at any time
subject to purchase by the govern
ment"
Discussing the coal resources of
Alaska, Secretary Lane declares the
fields SHOULD be opened not to specu-
lators, but to operators. Those should
have these lands who will use them.
None should be opened as basis for
gamble in future values" In his
judgment they may be turned over
safely. to the public under a leasing
and royalty system similar to that un-
der which the state of Minnesota
leases it's ore lands and the states of
Montana and Colorado their coal lands.
He adds that the money received
might be used in the development of
the country and that large body of
coal land in each field be reserved for
the navy in time Of need"
To Develope Coal Lands.
Vigorous suggestions looking to the
conservative development of the coal
lands of the west are made by Secre-
tary Lane. 1T is certainly not for the
public interest" the report says, that
our coal deposits shall be opened rap
idly and ruthlessly. can not feel,
however, that we should sacrifice any
present need for fuel or willingly sur
render ourselves to demand for ex-
orbitant prices because of a fear that
some day the coal supply may be ex-
hausted. Already there has been de-
veloped a substitute for coal in the
flowing stream The turbine converts
melted snow into heat and light, which
Can be distributed over constantly
widening areas. think we have now
arrived at that point in scientific
achievement which justifies the belief
that the wheels of industry will not
cease, nor our houses go unlighted or
unheated. so long as dams may be
built upon our streams. Water will be
indeed already is, the greatest conser-
use of our coal, the fullest use that
q truism. But here lies the difficulty.
We wish cheap coal and at the same
time minimum Of waste. We wish
society to take the lions share of the
profit and yield no more to the opera
tor than will make his work sufficient
~ attractive to keep him at it. In
short, we desire competition without
waste, frank impossibility.
Should Not be Storehouse.
ALASKA should not in my judgment,
be regarded as a mere storehouse Of
resources upon which the people Of
the states may ufaW. one mas the pO-
tentialities of state. And whatever
policy may be adopted should look to. ,
ward an Alaska of homes, of indus.
tries, and Of an extended commerce. !
Strongly as would urge this meth
Cd of management-fo it offers a rare
to exhibit the efficiency of
a republic-I would not have Alaska
wait for needed legislation until the
merits of such plan could be passed
upon by congress. Those things which !
appeal to me as of Immediate neces-
sity upon which independent action
may be taken are % the construction
of railroads in the territory and (2) .
the opening of her coal lands"
Secretary Lane expresses the opin-
ion that privately owned railroads !
would not be constructed in Alaska for |
many years, except as adjuncts to
private enterprises. He regards it
wise, therefore. for the government to !
undertake their building.
1.-The rates and service of such rail: !
roads should be fixed with reference to
Alaskan development-not with regard
to immediate returns. The charges |
no fN, n