The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-03-06
b,OOO ACRES OF COAL LANDS IN TRESPASS PROBE Not Here To Start Sensa- tion, Says Federal
 Investigators EXPECT SETTLEMENTS
 WITHOUT LITIGATION Ramsey And Morgan Say Work Is Confidential And Must
 Report To Headquarters

James A. Ramsey and G. B. Morgan, federal investigators, came to Birming- ham Wednesday to sift reports that private corporations and individuals had trespassed thousands of acres of government coal lands in Jefferson, Walker, Marion, Fayette, Tuscaloosa and Shelby counties.
 They asserted with emphasis that they are not here to put anybody in jail or start sensation of Teapot Dome proportions"
 About 75,000 acres are involved" said Ramsey. It appears that some trespassing has been going on and that coal has been taken from government reserves. We have been sent here to break up the trepassing and make as sessments on which the government can collect such sums as may be due. There arc no indications that prosecutions will be necessary" .Jf
 Land Office Officials
 Ramsey is a special agent and Nor gan mineral expert of the general land office. They are working under J, W. Neal, chief of the southern field division.
 For several days the investigators checked records in Montgomery. They spent most of Wednesday with c. H. Nesbitt, chief mine inspector, with headquarters in the Chamber of Com merce building. Their work here will be completed Thursday, after which they will visit the 40 or 50 towns in the area under investigation, Ramsey said.
 Minimizing reports of sensational disclosures" Ramsey declared the work he and Morgan are doing might be chased as routine activity for protec- tion of the governments interests.
 Surface Rights
 Most of this land" he continued, lis privately owned, except for the coal rights, which are reserved for the government. In other words, the per- sons holding title are entitled to use of the surface only.
 We have information that some cor porations have extended their opera ,tions and have mined coal from these reserves. There is no evidence of in- tentional wrong-doing, however, and the matters will probably be dropped when the trespassing is curbed and the government is paid any damages that may be due"
 Ramsey declined to reveal the name of any of the corporations UT individ- uals under investigation.
 The nature of our work is entirely confidential he said. Our reports, as Soon as. they are fully completed, will sbs fofMaed Washington through the office Of Mr. Neal whose head- quarters are in Jackson, Miss.s
 The total amount that is believed to be due the government by reason of ,trespassing is comparatively small, the investigators said.
 Here Month Ago <
 Ramsey revealed that a month ago he was in the Birmingham district mak- ing a tentative investigation. At that time approximately 1000 acres of land in Fayette county were reconvey- ed to the government, it being acreage on which unrestricted patents had enormously been issued. This deal was closed amicably, he said.
 Morgan several years ago was state geologist for the state of Wyoming. He was the first official to make a re- port on Teapot Dome.
 The investigators said they felt sure they would be able to complete their work in Alabama within a few weeks and adjust the situation without re- sorting to prosecution or any other legal action.