The New York herald., 1921-12-07
PUBLIC LAND WORTH
IL BILLIONS TO U. S.
Secretary Fall Figures Huge
ROYALTIES Obtainable From
Hidden Wealth.
100000, 900 ACRES OPEN
Coal and Oil Form Chief Re-
sources in Domain Of
Government.

WASHINGTON, Dec. g. - An untapped
wealth estimated at a minimum OF $3.50.
100000. 900 is contained in the more
than 400.0 900 acres of land still held
In the public domain, Secretary Fall OF
the Interior Department says in his first
annual report. made public to-day.
Coal and oil form the bulk of this
wealth. the total coal deposits being es-
tirnated at 10000. 200, ,OOo tons and the
oil deposits at 1.3E5,0c0, ,0oG barrels with
an additional $4,000, 900. 900 barrels of
shaIe oil.
From the development of these re-
sources the Federal Government, Secre-
tary Fall says. would realize by way
OF royalties. rentals. &C.. total of $12.-
3S7,50O, 600, divided as fpDs s:
Public Ownership.
Bituminous coal. 10000. 600, 600 tons at
10 cents royalty. $1,000. 100000.
Sub-bituminous coal, 10000. 900. 900
at cents royalty s2.400.0oo.0oo.
Ignite coal, 5o.oOO,O00 900 tons at 8
cents royalty. $2,500,000. 600.
(Note-Coal on railroad lands. private
grants, private lands in the public land
States but not developed not estimated
above.)
OIL (crude), 100000, 900 barrels at 81.
$1,400.000,00o at 1215 cents royalty.
S175,000, 900.
Shale oil. $4,000, 600. 900 barrels at So.
100000. 100000 at cents royalty, s5,-
O00.00O.00O.
Phosphate, 3.5oO,ooo, 600 tons at s4.
$4,000. 100000 at 2 per cent royalty
$2S0.00O.O0O
Potash. 2O,oOO,OOO tons at SIS. $780,
100000 at 2 per cent. royalty. $780,
100000.
Water power. 100000 horsepower
at 10 cents per horsepower per year.
S1,300.000.
Indian Reservations.
Oil. 100000 barrels at So, $780,
600, 600.
Phosphate. 1000. 100000 tons at 81.
$4,000, 900, 900.
Alaska.
Coal. 10000, 100000 tons, all grades.
at five cents royalty. 81 1000, 100000.
Oil. 25.000,000 barrels at 81, s25. .000,-
900 at 10 per cent. royalty. S2,500,000.
Wuter power. 100000 horse power
at ten cents per horsepower per year,
$3.50, 900.
surface NaIue, Excluding Forests.
Desert and semi-arid lands, 100, 0,O00,-
900 acres at 81, s100,0o0,000.
Grazing lands, 75.000,0O0 acres at 81,
$3.50, 0,000, 900.
Grazing and forage lands, $4,000, 900
acres at "a. s60,000,00o
National Forests.
Grazing lands. 100000 acres at
$3.50. s275. 900. 900.
Timber, $3.50 100000.
Other resources. s145, 900. 900.
Points Way to Lessen Taxes.
History Is now repeating ITSELF" says
Secretary Fall. and after a period Of
unlimited expenditure in war measures
and in preparing for war. in the creation
of a navy. &c. it has been found neces-
sary to curtail such expenditures to the
very utmost. / am justified in calling
attention to the fact that the Depart
ment OF Interior-the home depart
ment-is fully equipped and prepared to
do its part in the development Of those
great natural resources. which must be
so developed II the tax burden upon this
and future generations Is to be borne
at ALL"
Secretary Fall devotes a considerable
part of his report to reclamation
projects and in this connection he urges
that IAN affirmative strong policy be
announced by the Executive"
"The necessary advances can be made
from year to year without becoming an
excessive burden upon the taxpayers, -
the Secretary says, land as has already
been proved by experience. one years 8
crop upon one acre Of reclaimed irri-
gated ground will be of a value largely
in excess Of the total amount expended
in rendering such acre productive. Tn
der the present system, OF any proposed
legislation. OF course the cost OF such
project will be repaid and meanwhile
the added wealth yielded will tighten the
tax burdens upon all the taxpayers of
the country"