The Washington herald., 1914-12-10
CHEROKEES Have
become CITIZENS
Secretary Lane Reports In
dams Raised to Higher
Civilization.
WEST TO BE DEVELOPED
Surveyors Have Four Plans for Build
ing Alaskan Railway. Which They
Will Submit to Wilson.

In his annual report filed with the
President yesterday. Secretary of the
Interior Franklin K. Lane says that
three things Of unusual purport have
marked the life of the Interior De-
partment during the past year-the
passing of the Cherokee Nation, the
| opening of Alaska, and the advance
ment OF a series of measures aimed to
promote the further development of
the West.
On July / last the Cherokee Nation
ceased to exist. This act was the cul-
mination of a treaty promise made
over eighty years ago, extended by
statute, and at last placed within ad-
ministrative discretion" says Secre-
tary Lane. The word of the white
man has been made good. These ma
tive and aspiring people have been
lifted as American citizens into full
fellowship with their civilized con-
Querors."
Western Measures Pass.
Secretary Lane says that in his report
of last year he suggested a series Of
measures for the development of Western
resources which he thought consonant
with the advancing spirit Of our times.
There were five Of these measures,
he says. "one providing for a government
railroad system in Alaska; an Alaskan
coal leasing bill; new reclamation act;
a bill, providing for a new method of
opening and developing coal, phosphate,
oil and potash fields, and a water power
bill. All Of these measures nave passed
the House of Representatives, and the
first three also passed the Senate and by
your approval have become law"
Four Plans for Railroad.
Concerning Alaska, Secretary Lane
says:
Hope has again come to the heart
OF the waiting Alaskan in the promise
of a railroad that shall pierce the
mountains of the coast and reach the
great interior of this beautiful and
promising land. The commission of
engineers appointed by you 10 survey
possible routes, which has with its
force spent the summer in Alaska, has
already returned, and will in a short
time submit to you its plans and sur
veys upon which may be based a con-
clusion as to the route and character
Of the railroad TO be built. Four coast
points have been considered as possible
termini: COrdOva, from which now runs
the Copper River and Northwestern
Railroad. which could be extended
northerly through the Chitina Valley
to the Tanana: Valdez. from which
now runs an excellent government
Valley TO Fairbanks; Portage Bay on
the west coast of Prince William Sound.
where no settlement now exists. but
which could be connected with Turn
again Arm by tunnel and SO on north
erly through the Susitna Valley to-
Fairbanks, and Seward, from which
now extends the Alaska Northern for
seventy-two miles to the eastern end
of Turnagain Arm"
VIII Lease Coal Lands.
Secretary Lane reviews the work of the
department in connection with the law
providing for the leasing of the coal fields
OF Alaska. Surveys are being made and
leases are to be awarded through COM
petitive bidding for large tracts with a
minimum royalty, payable to the govern
ment OF cents a ton and an annual
rental OF from 3 cents to 81 per year per
acre. applicable on the royalty. The
leases are 10 be for not more than fifty
years, subject to rencawl on new terms.
Secretary Lane rencws his recommenda-
ton for a commission form Of govern
ment for Alaska. He includes a long list
Of achievements OF the department during
the past year. and shows that every pos
sibe effort was made to cut red tape
and expedite business.