The Birmingham age-herald., 1924-03-04
Alleged Infringements Of Private Concerns
 Investigated
TWO EXPERTS MAKE
 FLATS OF PROPERTY
Walker And Fayette County Acreage Chiefly Involved In
 Present Investigation
BIRMINGHAM WILL BE
 GENERAL HEADQUARTERS
Major Winters Says Last Sale Of 1,S40 Acres Was Closed In
 October, 1923
(sTATE CAPITAL BUREAU)

MONTGOMERY, Ala, March 3.- An investigation of alleged infringe ments upon United States government coal reserves in northwest Alabama, has been launched with the arrival here of Glenn B. Morgan, former state geologist of Wyoming, and J. A. Ram sey, of the southern land office at Jack son, Miss. Morgan is working directly out of Washington.
 Ramsey and Morgan have been busf here making plats of the government lands, where, it is charged, millions of dollars worth of coal has been minesI and sold from government property bs private mine owners. These official will also undertake to clear up charge and countercharges regarding the valu, and extent of the United States coz lands.
 The area controlled by the federsl government in Alabama is said to hc approximately 30O.O00 acres containine some of the richest fuel deposits in tho country. The title was obtained il 1883 following federal survey of that year according to James W. Neal. chic of the field division, having headquar- ters in Jackson, Miss.
 Headquarters In Birmingham
 Morgan and Ramsey so far have been devoting their attentions to survey of United States property if Walker and Fasette counties. Majos E. E. Winters, of the Montgomery land office, stated today that they woul soon open headquarters in Birminghap, and that the investigation would be cor ducted from that city. Others are e., pected to join in the work in Birminr ham.
 Mir. Morgan is widely known geolo- gist and is generally accredited with tn discovery of the Teapot Dome oil field
 Regarding the investigation, Major Winters of the land office here says:
 Tt is to clear up the charges ami counter charges regarding the amour or extent of the coal lands, lying main ly in Walker and Fayette c0unties., that the proposed investigations are to be made.
 James W. Neal. chief of the fiela division, having headquarters in JaclS son, Miss, sent J. A. Ramsey. of hi department, and Glenn B. Morgan, front Washington, ID. C., to prepare for tb, "VAA' AhV pAhIS nave DeGu HlaQe an the men will go to Birmingham withi a few days and will for the time bein maintain headquarters in Birmingham
 Lsf0llette Made Demand
 Some months ago Senator Lafoi4 lette scored the departments of fes.s eral government for not leasing the cor lands of Alabama. Following that can F instructions to me yfron1 the depart ment. l then advertised the land ' required by law, in the Fayette Bar ner for the required number of time.
 "On July A. 1923, the last sale wa held in my offices here At that tim l $40 acres lying in the northeast cor ner. of Fayette county was sold to th& highest bidders, Moses and McCorl mack of Birmingham, at $S5,O0O.
 ''The deal, however. was not com. pleted until after they had an opportu nifty to advertise, although I did de posit the required one-fifth of the pur chase price given to me by them in th form of certified check. On October 5. 1923. deposited the remainder and sent to the secretary of the treaeur- the amount, $S5,000. the secretary o' the interior having given final apprors of the transaction.
 Coal fields have become exhauste, and it is in the quest for further land containing coal which. may becom- available that the general inspection, have been ordered