New-York tribune., 1913-12-24
HARNESS WASTING
WATERS, SAYS LANE
u. S. Ownership of Hydro
Electric Plants Favored
in Secretary's Report.
URGES FEDERAL
RAILWAYS IN ALASKA
Leasing of Coal and Oil Lands
on Royalty Is Also
Advocated.

Washington. Dec 23.-Franklin X
Lane. Secretary Of the Interior IN ms
annual report TO the President outiined
a broad policy in the conservation OF the
natural resources OF the United states
which yet lie within the regulatory pow
ers Of the government, and pointed to the
important results that may be acnleVeu
through the development of these re-
sources under proper supervision.
Two predictions are made in the re-
port. one is that the time is not Tar
distant when coal of too low a grade Ito
stand storage or transportation will be
converted into electricity at the mouth
Of the mines and widely distributed Tor
lighting heat and power The other Is
that the gigantic force now wasting IT,
self I'm the rivers Of the country VIII be
so controlled by dams as to provide heat
light and power for the people. and that
within a generation the people Will be
as alive TO the value of public ownership
OF hydro-electric power plants as they
are to-day to municipality owned water
works"
I'VE have adventured upon a new
policy of administering our affairs. says
Secretary Lane. and have not developed
adeu lte machinery We have called a
halt on methods OF spoliation which eX-
listed. TO the great benefit OF many, but
we have failed TO substitute Methods
sane. healthful and progressive, by when
II normal enterprise of an ambitious
people can make full use Of their own re-
sources. We abruptly closed opportuni-
ties to the monopolist but did not open
them to the developer
Discomfort Over Land Policy
The land policy put i'm force, he says,
caused disnay and discomfort Con
gress had been most generous in its dis
position of the public lands. They were
given to the railroads and 10 the states.
TO classify them was too difficult task
They would classify themselves when
they arrived in individual ownership.
And so the door was opened for monopoly
and for fraud
IF the government did not appreciate
the invaluable nature of its assets there
were men who did. The nation wanted
homemakers. but found its lands drift
were withdrawing them from the market.
4 reaction was inevitable. II lands were
10 be withdrawn from public service, why
might not the government do the with
drawing itself?'
MY conclusion is that If we are to
bring Alaska into the early and full real
ization of her possibilities We must create
a new piece Of governmental machinery
for the purpose. In my judgment the way
10 deal with the problem of Alaskan re-
sources Is 70 establish a board of directors
to have this work in charge.
TO this board or commission l would
give all the national assets in that terri
,ory. TO I've used primarily for her I'M
,rovement-her lands, fisheries, Indians,
Csquimaus, seals. forests. mines, water
Nays. railroads.&c. that the nation owns,
cares fo-, controls or regulates. Congress
hould determine in broad outline the poll
les which this board in liberal dscre-
ion should elaborate and administer,
much as is done to the Philippines.
Urges Railroad Building.
Strongly as 1 would urge this method
wait for needed legislation until the mer-
It's Of sucD a nlan could be passed upo
by Congress. Those things which appeal
- me as Of immediate necessity upon
rhlch Independent action may be taken
ue the construction Of railroads in the
,erritory and the opening of her coal
lands"
Secretary Lane expresses the opinion
hat privately owned railroads would not
se constructed in Alaska for many years,
except as adjuncts 10 private enterprises.
lie regards il wise. therefore, for the gov
,rnment to undertake their building.
Mr.. Lane declares the coal fields OF
Alaska 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
I'm future values" In his judgment they
may be turned over safely TO the public
under leasing and ROYALTY SVStem.'