Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1924-02-16
SENATE MAY PROBE
CONTROVERSY over
ALASKAN COAL

Washington, Feb. 15.-Intial steps
toward a possible Senate inquiry into
the long-fought Alaskan coal contro-
yersy were begun today after John E.
Ballainc Of Seattle. an Alaskan railroad
constructor, had presented to Presi-
dent Coolidge charges respecting the
transfer of the Mattanuska coal re-
serve from the navy to the department
of the interior.
Mr.. Ballaine in lengthy letter 10
the president declared examination OF
official files would show that former
Secretary Fall and Secretary DENLY
in July. 1921, four months after they
had taken orricc. began negotiations
for the transfer OF the Alaskan coal
reserve from the navy to the interior
department and for the leasing of that
reserve for a period of 80 years. The
negotiations and the terms agreed
Upon, Mr.. Ballaine asserted. ran
along lines exactly parallel with the
negotiations and the terms Of the lease
OF the Teapot Dome oil reserve
The Alaskan railroad man eX-
planned that the lease was never
4 Jul b1bASiAN w tl4bN IN
department of the interior upon TAX
ing over mining operations in the
Mattanuska Field, suspended min
| ing operations and that the navy
! department had refused to utilize
| Alaskan coal on the Pacific coast
! although It had hern shown to be
| cheaper and better, he said, charts
| showing that Alaskan coal. accord
| ing to navy tests, was better and
! cheaper than Pocahontas coal, such
as used by the navy. were included
by Mr. Ballaine III his letter.
Submission by Mr.. Balaine of his
! charges to the President was fol
| lowed by preparation by Senator
| I.afollette. Republican. Wisconsin
! of a resolution for introduction to-
| morrow calling upon the interior
| department for certain records re-
! lating to the r-departmenta
transfer of tho Alaskan coal re-
| serve.
Senator I.afol;ette in his resolution
| will ask that the secretary of the m
| terror send to the senate q copy OF
| the agreement between the interior
| secretary and the secretary of Tho
navy, regarding the transfer: all ~
| ecutive orders and other papers l..
| the interior departmnt files re!atl1t
| to the transfer; I'll correspondence
J and opinions as to :he legality o
such Il transfer and any lease made
| applications for leases and CORE
! spondence relating to poss.,.e lease:
! of he Alaskan reserve.
| The Wisconsin senator, it was re-
| called inaugurated the inquiry whicF
| later grew into the present senate OF
! investigation with Il resolution sim
! liar to that which he has prepared
| for introduction tomorrow.
! Mr.. Ballaine's letter as presented
| today at the White House is supple
mental to n digest to n previous
: communication alleging attempts b!
q, certain interests to throttle the Alas
! kan railroad and asking appointment
| of an impartial board of commission
/ by the executive to inquire into suci
attempts. This communication re-
! lating to the railroad management
! has been referred by the president
| to the interior department for InveS-
; tisation by the navy bureau
| Much of the letter sent to tht
president today. related 10 the uS'
of Alaskan coal by naval vessels anf
! establishments in the Pacific. Mr.
Ballaine quoted Rear admiral j. IL
/ Robinson, chief OF the navy hurcal
! of engineering, as having stated tina
tests of Alaskan coal had presented
! conclusive evidence of their insult
ability for naval use.