The Alaska daily empire., 1915-03-25
MONOPOLY OF
 sEoREs EouGEI

SHORES FOUGHT
 The memorial introduced in the
 House yesterday by Representative IT. E. Holland of chitina is designated
 to correct Che abuse Of the present
 homestead laws in the barring of In.
 gress and egress to tlde-water by corporations and individuals.
 Tho text of the memorial Is as iol.
 lows
 Your memo-ialists che Legislative assembly of the Territory of Alaska. respectfully represent
 That the Act Of Congress, approy- ed May l4 1898 entitled An act ex-
 tending the homestead laws, etc., to Alaska, and the act of Congress amendatory thereof approved March 1 9. 1908. (U. s. Stat. SO-f09 and U. S. Stat 32-10SS. respecdvely). pro- vide. inter alia. that between home stead, s. A homestead and manulac- turing site surveys abutting on nayiga- ble waters, shore space of eighty rods direct measurement. must be reserved rom entry:
 "That in practical operation the
 intent of said provisions of law (which was to prevent monopolization or shore fronts on navigable waters) Is largely nullified to the advantage Of corporations. companies, associa- aons and individuaIs
 That. although theoretically it pre- vents the monopilization of shore Irontines, in reality 1t does not While it is true that it does prevent mon. opolization by title it does not as to occupancy and use by adjoining claim. ants when it is Co their interest to exercise control of the same
 That by such provision of law. a single claimant may obtain practic- al control of an extensive shore front age as may be desired at a trifling expense. by procuring title to small tracts at lawful intervals by scripping them with Soldiers Additional Home stead script-no occupancy of or i'm. provements being required in connec. ton with such claim By such means it is feasible. not only to obtain Drac- dcal control of extensive water front ! age. but to debar others from estab- 1 fishing homesteads, caneries or oth- CT enterprises within the limits that a single claimant wishes to control; ! Therefore.
 Be it resolved by the Legislative of the Territory of Alaska, ,hat we respectfully and earnestly pee ttion your honorable body to repeal the aforesaid acts in so far as re- ates to reserve spaces along the shores of navigable waters. and sub stitute instead enactments for all classes of valid claims and rIghtol- way. Of whatsoever sort along said navi gable waters. and as far inland as may require. the easements 10 include wagon roads. railroads, both stead and electric. telephone and cleo ric power lines. pipe lines, fumes. tunnels. ditehes etc The easements l should also provide for the crossing over or under other previous rights. 'f-way for any purpose. but in such manner as not to obstruct or Interfere with the proper operation of such in- ercepted rightof-way.
 Be 1t further resolved, That copy 'f this memorial be sent to the Presi- lent of the United States the Presi- lent of the United States Senate. he Speaker of the House of Repre- entatives. the chairman of the Com Q niltee on Public Lands of the Unit 1 d States Senate the chairman of he committee on public lands of the inited States Senate. the chairman C [ the committee on public lands of 2 he United States House of Repre- eutatiyes. the honorable James Wick. rsham. Delegate to Congress from Alaska and the Commissioner of he General Land Office"