The Bemidji daily pioneer. [volume] (Bemidji, Minn.) 1904-1971, 1914-03-10
WOULD DEVELOP
FEDERAL LAND.
Bill introduced In Congress Calling
For Better Use Of Soil Containing
Rich Mineral Deposits
RESOURCES BELONG TO PEOPLE
Bill Has Certain Compromises Be-
tween The Several Views-Land
To Be Leased Under New Law

To Be Leased Under New Law
From Congressman G. H. Tavenner
Washington, March 1O-One by
one the policies of the Wilson ad-
ministration with respect to various
public question are being placed be-
fore Congress. OF these policies
none is more important to the entire
public than the politely of conserya-
ton OF natural resources Congress
man Ferris, of Oklaho ma, has just in
troduced a bill which embodies the
views of Secretary Lane with respect
to the development of the deposits of
oil, gas, potassium salts, phosphate,
and coal in lands owned by the
United States.
The day is past when resources
WILL be given away by this govern
ment. The Ferris bill contains the
recognition that natural resources
belong to all the people, and that
those who exploit natural resources
must pay the people for the privilege
Of doing so. The bill is based on
this general proposition as well as
on the one that the discoverer of
deposits Of minerals is entitled to his
reward. The bill, therefore, is a
compromise between the two views,
the discoverer being rewarded, the
exploiter paying royalty to the gov
eminent, just as an oil company pays
royalties to the farmers on whose
lands he sinks wells.
There is third consideration in
the bill--the prevention of monopoly
in natural resources. This is &C
cOmplished by elaborate restrictions
upon the consolidation of mineral
holdings, with prison penalties pres
cribed for violations. And guilt is
made personal.
10 oil "uu $40 p1OopcCIO1' u1luCi'
the terms of the bill, can be granted
permit to explore lands in which he
thinks oil or gas may exist. 1t
these lands lie within so miles of any
producing we'll, the explorer is en-
titled by his permit to explore any
compact tract Of $40 acres, $500
acres if more than SO miles from
producing well. On this tract he is
free to sink wells undistrubed by
other prospectors for term of two
years. If he strikes oil he is entitled
to a full patent and title to one
fourth of the land embraced in his
permit This land becomes his per-
petually and he is not required to
pay royalties on the mineral produce
ton.
The prospector gets first choice in
locating the land for his patent.
Thereafter, the rest of the prospect
ing claim is leased through COMPETE
tive bidding the min lmum royalty on
the output to be fixed by the Secre-
tary Of the Interior. Each lease has
a life Of 10 years and can be once
renewed for this period.
Prospecting permits are also grant
ed on lands believed to contain po-
tassium salts. These permits have a
life of three years, and grant ex-
elusive prospecting privileges on
Tracts of 1850 acres. If the min
eral is found the prospector can pat
ent .160-acre claim. The rest if
subject to lease through COMPETE
tive bidding, the minimum royalty
to be paid the government being two
per cent of the gross value of the out
put.
Phosphate lands are known and
no prospectors' permits are granted
all these lands being subject to lease
in 2,560-acres tracts on the two-per-
cent basis.
Coal lands are also subject to the
lease only, except that for local uses
a 10-acre tract in any one coal fielC
is subject to mining permit with.
out payment of royalty These per,
mlts expire in 10 years. The resi-
of the field is leased in 40-acre par.
cells, or in multiples of 40 acres, not
to exceed 1850 in any one lease
Lessees may consolidate up to 1850
acres. The royalty to the govern,
ent is two cents per ton payable
monthly. This rate will probably
Justly be criticized as being too low
Every 20 years there must be a re-
adjustment in the terms of leases
Ownership, including stock owner
ship, in more than one coal lease il
forbidden, the penalty being three
years in prison and $1,000 fine
Ogicers and directors of companie:
are held personally guilty for tn.
wrongful acts of their corporations
sac,C