The Chickasha daily express. (Chickasha, Indian Territory [Okla.]) 1899-current, 1915-03-09
Secretary Lane Says Recent Con-
gress Broke Record by Con-
structive Legislation for
Interior Dept. Projects
PROGRESS MADE
IN CONSERVATION
Alaskan Railroad Will Be Great
Government Enterprise IS Set
tiers Encouraged by Chang
es in Homestead Laws

Washington, March Secretary
Lane of the interior department, ex-
pressed himself today as pleased with
the record made by the sixty-third
congress on Legislation affecting tho
work of the interior department and
the public affairs under its admins
tration.
NO single congress in a decale,"
said the secretary ''has passed and
considered SO much constructive legis-
lation for the development of the west,
the encouragement of pioneers and
settlers, and the economical admins
tration of the many interests handled
by this department.
Probably the biggest item in the
list is the legislation for the building
of the Alaskan railway, and the open
ing and leasing Of Alaskan coal lands.
The country will come to look back
upon this legislation as inaugurating
work that will rank in Importance
with the construction of the Panama
canal.
The extension of time for reclama-
tion settlers to pay their water right
charges, tl.e desert land acts to rel
lieve and encourage settlers who are
striving to make homes In the arid
sections, the temporary oil leasing
bill for the relief OF the oil situation,
the authorization of establishment of
ten mine experiment bureaus and Is
additional mine rescue stations, the
appropriations for extension of the
work of the bureau of education in
rural and industrial sections, are all
progressive measures. In its every
act in relation to the public domain
and the work of this department. the
congress just adjourned has evinced a
desire to further the interests and en-
courage the efforts OF the real home
builder and the man or woman anxious
to aid in the countrys development.
and has frowned upon the speculative
and exploiting class.
Real progress has been made to-
ward true conservation of our natural
resources Although the leasing bills
for opening up the coal, oil. phosphate
and potash lands and water power
sites to development failed in the sen.
ate because of obstructionistic tactics,
the favorable action by the house upon
these measures and the passage of the
law opening the surface of phosphate
and potash lands to homesteading.
and providing hat the mineral depos-
its in these lands shall remain with
drawn until further action by congress
! is highly significant of the purpose of
congress to complete this program at
an early date
The Indian appropriation bill fail
ed to pass because of a controversy
over The demand OF the Choctaw In
dians in Mississippi that they be en-
| AOiCu anu SAfth q ohdA VI TIT tAibdA
funds of the Choctaw Indians of Okla
homa A joint resolution passed by
congress extends the appropriations
of the current year for Indian pur-
I poses. While the failure of this bin
will necessarily cause some embar-
rassment to the Indian office, it will
not lead to any neglect Of the Indians
or Of their property or interests, which
win be fully cared for
Among measures Of importance re-
lating to the public domain and the
affairs Of the interior department.
which have been enacted by the sixty
third congress. Secretary Lane men,
toned the following:
The Alaskan railway law, and the
appropriation at the last session which
gives the administration about $4,000.
600 available for work during the com
ing year.
The Alaska coel leasing law.
Appropriation OF $4,000, 600 to be
expended on reclamation work in
1916.