, 1922-03-30
HERE Is A MAN
(From the, Colorado Springs
Telegraph

A0lc6A0PA-y
How many of our people know
hat the greatest single thing ever
accomplished in Washington for the
benefit of Colorado and for the
greatest n thing that ever will be
accomplished. was due to the efforts
OF a congressman from an adjoining
state fighting over a long period OF
years almost single handed,
We refer to the inclusion, in the
bill providing for the development of
the natural of the west
through the leasing system. OF the
provision giving to each state 37k
per cent Of any royalties derived
from the development of its coal,
oil. gas and certain other products.
What this will mean in dollars and
cents within the mex few years can
not be known at this time, but II
Secretary Falls estimate of the value
of these resources Is accepted, 1t will
run into the hundreds of millions,
and Colorado will be one Of the chief
beneficiaries.
This provision of the leasing bill
came at the end OF a legislative on
test extending v a period of more
than 10 years. And that it was sue
cessful was due almost entirely to
the efforts Of one man. the Honor
able Frank w. Mondell, for a quarter
of a century the representative OF
Wyoming in the house Of representa-
tives. and now Republican leader in
that body.
This unusual achievement received
less attention at the time than was
due. and its effects are only begin
ming to be felt. Its importance re-
Gently has been brought into bold
relief by a decision OF the supreme
court Of the United States. At its
recent session, that court had before
II the question OF the right of a
state to tax oil and gas produced
from Indian lands in Oklahoma which
yer themselves exempt from taxa
ton. The court held that the lands
being so exempt, the products there
or were likewise exempt. It must
follow that when the question of the
taxation by the states Of coal, gas and
Oil produced from the government
domain under lease shall arise, as II
doubtless will. the right to impose a
tax thereon will be denied. as the
property Of the federal government
cannot be reached by the tax-impos-
ing power OF the state.
The far reaching effect of this de-
cision will readily be seen. Within
the Rocky Mountain states are hun
dreds of thousands of acres OF land
to Y hich the government now holds
and doubtless will always hold title,
as they have been withdrawn from
location. These lands contain un-
o wealth in coal, oil, oil shales
and gas. which will be developed
un"er the leasing law within the
next few years. This development
Will add great wealth to these states
and yet, no matter how great may
become HI value OF. this domain and
that which 1t produces, 1t cannot be
reached by taxation or compelled to
contribute it's share to the support of
the sovereignty IN which 1t depends
for protection, and perhaps existence.
notwithstanding this. and due solely
to the Mondell proviso, each state
Will now share in the results of the
development OF the natural
on the public domains within its
borders.
The story OF the contest which lead
to the adoption Of the leasing policy
of the federal government will be OF
increasing historical interest as the
years pass. 1t started in the early
days OF the Roosevelt administration.
The older n more .populOus states,
where had n been the public do
main had passed into private owner
ship, desired that which was left In
other states should he developed for
the sole benefit of the federal gov
ernment. On the other hand, the
states whose natural had
scarcely been touched, felt that they
had a paramount interest in them
and that their best interests demand
ed that they should develop through
private ownership, thereby adding to
the wealth Of the respective states,
which wealth can only be measured
by its taxable value.
The nationalists won and it has be.
come and doubtless will continue tc
be the fixed policy Of the govern.
ment to encourage the development
through the leasing system OF thai
part of the public domain which may
contain coal, oil. gas and certain pro