Rocky Ford enterprise., 1914-06-05

civilian engineers or officers of the
engineer corps OF the army. The
president had been within his rights
when he named Mr.. Edes as CHIEF
engineer at Mr. Lanes request. He
had no more authority than corner
groceryman to name Lieutenant
Mears, for the army appointments
were restricted specifically to the en-
gineer corps. and Mears is cavalry
officer.
It is currently reported in Washing
ton that Secretary OF War Garrison
went to Secretary of the Interior Lane
and told him in effect he did not mind
his burglarizing the war department
but when he did 1t he wished ne
would wake up the watchman.
President Wilson was informed he
haG appointed an army officer to work
in Alaska whom he had no. business
to appoint. The law was as plain as
the shortest of the Ten Command
ments. There was quick consulta-
tion and a great hustling about. A
new law was necessary and congress
was asked to pass Joint resolution
giving the president specific authority
to appoint any army officer he chose.
This has been done and SO 1t is that
the advance work is to be carried out
by a civilian engineer and by cav
airy officer of the United States army
Advised by Colonel GoethaIs.
1t is pretty we'll known that Col.
George w. Goethals. governor of the
Panama canal zone. was Mr.. Lanes
l..s L., - Ofr,fV
to the work in Alaska. Colonel Goeth-
ais seemed to think that it would be
wise to have a civilian make the pre-
liminary survey, and that later. If
necessary, the work should be turned
over to the army engineers. Colonel
Goethals requested the appointment
of the young cavalry officer, Mears. to
the work in Alaska.
1t is mystery in Washington why
Colonel Goethals wished to have the
first Alaska work done by civilians.
1t is certain as things can be that II
the work had been given to the army
engineers at once they would have
been kept on the job until the railroad
was completed. Is 1t possible that
when the governor of the Panama
would like to take up the work OF
railroad construction in Alaska In be-
half of the government?
Lanes Conservation Program.
After President Wilson had out
lined his program of legislation anoth-
er program fathered by Secretary of
the Interior Lane appeared in the
legislative field. It did not clash in
any way with that OF the president
and 1t can be taken for granted that
It has Mr. Wilson's sanction Mr.
Lanes scheme is as comprehensive
as that of his chief. and to the locali-
ties and parties concerned is perhaps
much more important and pressing.
The legislative program OF the secre-
tary of the interior is a conservation
program and its items are as follows;
| Bill affecting water power on public
lands. Alaskan coal leasing bill. gen
eral leasing bill for oil. coal and phos-
pilates in the United States. extension
of time on irrigation projects, radium
bill.
The bill authorizing the leasing OF
Alaskan coal lands is farther advanced
than any of the others and seemingly
stands an excellent chance of passage
at this session. II has been favorably
reported by the house and senate COM
mittees on public lands and is now on
| the calendar in both houses. 1t is
Complementary measure to the one au-
thorizing the building of the govern
ment-owned railroad in the territory.
Its intention is to dovetail with the
railroad bill and to help to open
Alaska.
Alaska Coal Lands Bill.
Under this bill the secretary of the
interior is authorized to lease in areas
of 40 acres or multiples thereof up to
1850 acres. In the fields of Bering and
Matanuska. swhoee values are known
and which lie near the coast, only
small tracts will be leased. In the low
grade coal areas of the interior larger
tracts, 1t is held by the secretary, can
be leased with safety and propriety.
Railroads are not to be allowed to
take leases for commercial purposes.
although they will be allowed to mine
coal for their own use. Two sections
of the bill prevent lessees from inter
locking or owning an interest in other
leases. Forfeitures are provided and
penalties imposed. There is ten-acre
provision in one of the bills sections
for the purpose of aiding small miners,
homesteaders and some others in the
development of Alaska, but the per-
mits are only temporary.
The secretary of the interior ie au-
| thorized to lease the coal deposits sep-
arately. retaining the surface area for
agriculture when it is deemed advis-
able. This is held by the bills pro-