anaheim-gazette 1909-06-03

GOVERNMENT'S COAL LANDS LARGE TRACTS SOLD REGARDLESS OF VALUE Difference Between Old and New Classifications—Prices of Coal In Land—Valuation Still Conservative Looking for More Adequate Return The recent broadening of the policy of the present administration with reference to the classification and valuation of the 80,000,000 acres of remaining public coal lands is the subject of a statement just given out by the United States Geological Survey. The act of the Sixtieth Congress known as the Mondell law of March 3, 1909, gives to the agricultural entryman, on land later classified as coal land, the privilege of electing to take the surface rights, the coal rights remaining in the government for further and separate disposition. The General Land Office already reports that 90 per cent of the Colorado entrymen on lands believed to be underlain with coal will choose surface rights, thus reserving to the United States the coal rights. This is significant of the value of the new law, which followed lines laid down by Secretary of the Interior Ballinger in 1907, while he was Commissioner of the General Land Office. If the entryman chooses to contest, the issue then becomes one of the relative worth of the land for agriculture or for coal mining. Previous to 1909 public coal lands were sold, regardless of value, for $10 or for $20 an acre, according to whether they were within or without son of the government with the leasing rates ceded by the States and private owners higher coal-land valuation those fixed under the previous law would have been very approved by Secretary Bass; the law did not limit the amount that may be acquired to a below that which is needed mining company for economic operation. The purchaser can afford to pay a greater acre if the law permitted larger tracts. The present coal-land provides for the saving to the ment and the people of sums of money and prevent monopolization by private interest in the western coal fields. Advanced, scientific, and methods of classification which still constitute about 000 acres, have been added in brief, the intent of the developed by Secretary Garfinkel now further advanced by Ballinger is to promote development and economical utilization of same time to obtain adequately from these valuable public resources. QUESTION OF STATE PAPER MAKES UP-STATE PAPER MAKES UP-UPON SUBJECT San Francisco Call: The vision bugaboo is going through the State press again. It shadow of its old-time lusty timorous indeed is he who ed at the frayed old ghost not stay down. Time was when the m by Secretary of the Interior Ballinger in 1907, while he was Commissioner of the General Land Office. If the entryman chooses to contest, the issue then becomes one of the relative worth of the land for agriculture or for coal mining. Previous to 1909 public coal lands were sold, regardless of value, for $10 or for $20 an acre, according to whether they were within or without the 15-mile railroad limit. In that year, by presidential order, over 66,000,000 acres of such lands were withdrawn pending classification by the Geological Survey and a plan of valuation was established under which $100 an acre was fixed as the maximum price. This, of course, was a long step forward, and the valuations fixed for many lands were much higher than the minimum prices. A large amount of work has since been done by the field geologists of the Survey, so that now the tonnage and quality in many areas in the western coal fields are definitely known and Secretary Ballinger has put into effect a plan of valuation based on tonnage estimates as well as on grade of coal. This plan is believed to be eminently fair to the public and offers every opportunity possible under the law for the fullest development of the coal lands and at the same time insures a more adequate return to the government for its property. The present plan of classification and valuation, as revised in April, differs from that formerly in force in several important particulars. Coal tonnage and quality are the basis of valuation; the maximum price is raised from $100 to $300 an acre, and in developed coal fields, where the extent and character of the deposits are well known, there is no limit to the values that may be fixed. The price of coal land is thus definitely determined, at a coal price, yet the amounts rarely equal a quarter of the royalties paid in the same districts among private interests. The prices fixed under the scheme of valuation which the Geological Survey has been instructed to carry out are as follows: are well known, there is no limit to the values that may be fixed. The price of coal land is thus definitely determined, at a coal price, yet the amounts rarely equal a quarter of the royalties paid in the same districts among private interests. The prices fixed under the scheme of valuation which the Geological Survey has been instructed to carry out are as follows: Anthracite and coking bituminous coals, 2 to 3 cents per ton. High-grade noncoking bituminous coals, 1 to 2¢. per ton. High-grade subbituminous and low-grade bituminous coals, 1-2 to 1¢. For low-grade subbituminous coals and lignites the minimum price fixed by law is $10 and $20 an acre. The tonnage is always liberally calculated in the interest of the purchaser, and actual recovery should invariably exceed the tonnage on which the valuation is based. In the Book Cliffs coal field of Utah, where some coking bituminous coal is valued at the highest price of 3 cents a ton, many of the government valuations are above the $300 an acre maximum, as against $75 an acre under the scheme of last year and $20 an acre under the plan followed prior to 1906. In western Colorado largely the same condition exists. In this field of thick-bedded coking bituminous coal the valuation under the present plan greatly exceeds the $300 maximum, as against $100 under last year's policy and $20 prior to 1906. The conservation of even the present valuation figures of public coal lands may be shown by a compari- WATER SUPPLY OF ALASKA INVESTIGATIONS MADE IN YUKON-TANANA REGION Development of Placer Mining Depends Upon Utilization of Streams — Invaluable In Connection With Future Mining Enterprises— New Method of Water storage Suggested For a number of years the United States Geological Survey has made systematic measurements and studies of water supply as one of the great resources of the country. The data thus obtained are now available for many of the more important streams in the United States and are extensively used by engineers and others in problems involving water power, city water supply, irrigation and manufacturing. The development of the important placer-mining fields of Alaska notably those of Seward peninsula and the Yukon-Tanana region, depends largely on the successful utilization of their water supplies. A knowledge of the amount of water available in the streams would have prevented many of the failures that have been made in the past, and will be invaluable in connection with future development. The results of pushing forward ditch construction before making sure of an adequate water supply were shown during the summers of 1907 and 1908 in portions of the Yukon-Tanana region and in Seward peninsula, where severe local droughts caused much loss and inconvenience to mining operators. Paper Makes Observation Upon Subject Francisco Call: The State diagaboo is going the rounds of the press again. It is but the result of its old-time lusty self. And indeed is he who is affrightened by frayed old ghost which will down. Was when the mention of division incited Northern and California politicians to assists, and the editors of the sections of columns of argument and sometimes vituallity. All of Southern California division then. It is different not all of Southern California division now. Only Los Angeles it, and Los Angeles isn't much about it. Southern Californian, outside Angeles or Los Angeles counties, the division subject with not untinged with alarm. Arrived at the conclusion that division would mean the state Angeles. The best he can see self in that scheme is a fine city for him to pay taxes for movement of Los Angeles and place of building a harbor at two. It is the southern politician the southern editor who fits now. For north and south, state has not a live question. Unable it will bob up from time to time has at the present. The California will endure as the great undivided common after the present pro- and opponents of division entered into the measures of general rewards. That it may sure thus should be the hope true Californian. Southern Californian has to reach more imminent and real coming out of Los Angeles. Angeles is saying little about it, can be relied upon to be saw-The next legislature will join the State for legislative professional districts. The agent will be made ostensibly, of course, on the basis of made in the past, and will be invaluable in connection with future development. The results of pushing forward ditch construction before making sure of an adequate water supply were shown during the summers of 1907 and 1908 in portions of the Yukon-Tanana region and in Seward peninsula, where severe local droughts caused much loss and inconvenience to mining operators. As these conditions may not prove to be exceptional in any portion of the larger placer districts of Alaska, too much stress cannot be laid on the importance of stream-flow data. Except during the low-water period, which ordinarily lasts only a part of the season, the water supply is often sufficient; but in view of the other unfavorable conditions—the shortness of the season, the frozen ground,the distance from base of supplies, and the consequent high cost of transportation—a reduction of even two or three weeks in the working season may mean the difference between profit and loss. Hundreds of miles of mining ditches have been built at great expense in the Nome region of Seward peninsula, and similar developments which are proposed for the Yukon-Tanana region should be given careful consideration. For this reason stream measurement work was carried on by the Geological Survey in the Yukon-Tanana region in 1907 and 1908, and the results have now been given to the public in Water-Supply Paper 228, by C. C. Covert and C. E. Ellsworth, which may be had on application to the Director of the Survey at Washington, D.C. The paper gives detailed measurements of flow in all the principal streams of the Fairbanks,Rampart, Hot Springs, and Circle districts and discusses the storing of the excessive spring run-off and the possibilities of electric transmission of power from the larger and more distant streams. One method of storage suggested is somewhat peculiar. The authors find that, contrary to the general impression, more or less water flows in nearly all the streams during the on- Southern Californian has to much more imminent and real coming out of Los Angeles. Les is saying little about it, can be relied upon to be sawThe next legislature will on the State for legislative professional districts. The ap-nt will be made ostensibly by, of course, on the basis of. The whole number of as-nd senatorial districts can-creased. That is fixed by institution. Los Angeles county entitled to more representa-ve senate and assembly and number of congressional dis-obtutedly will be increased. Event, the district lines will miged. And in that rearrange- Angeles can be depended out up a fight for district dividing Los Angeles in two that it will have more than able chance of controlling selecting two congressmen. Cerrymander, if made, must, over of course, be the cutting eighth district. By a gerry-separating San Diego and from San Bernardino,San- and San Luis Obispo,and them to different portions Angeles, their influence in effective districts could be of interested but gener- ate spectators. Articians of the eighth dis- relied upon to take care lives, and probably they will likely careful to send exper- to the legislature in 1911. One method of storage suggested is somewhat peculiar. The authors find that, contrary to the general impression, more or less water flows in nearly all the streams during the entire winter. Where the channels of small streams become clogged and dammed, large winter glaciers invariably form, ice 12, 15, or even 20 feet thick being not uncommon. Following the line of least resistance, the water flows around and over the obstructions, freezes, and remains until the summer heat melts it—as late as July 1 in sheltered spots. The authors suggest that some artificial method might be devised to bring about the formation of "winter glaciers" at the heads of streams. If protected from the sun by moss and brush, these ice masses could be drawn on for additional water supply during the low-water period. At the headwaters the creek bottoms are usually covered with a thick coat of willows, which would aid not only in the formation of the "winter glaciers," but also in their protection. The matter seems worth considering, and the experiment would certainly be comparatively inexpensive. An order of court made on Saturday allows the California Association of Seventh Day Adventists to sell five acres of land near Anaheim for $2500. ENSHAW, BULKLEY & CO. 262-64 So. Los Angeles St. Los Angeles FURRIGATION PLANTS INSTALLED COMPLETE MACHINERY of all kinds, including road making machinery, levelers, scrapers, hardpan oughs, etc. Full stock always on hand. GASOLINE ENGINES CENTRIFUGAL PUMPS Palace Meat Market macher & Schneider Proprietors DEALEPS IN Choice Fresh and Salted Meats Telephone Main 51 Meats Delivered to all parts of city NOTICE ALL WHO HAVE OCCASION TO USE POWER THE EDISON ELECTRIC COMPANY has an Abundance of Power and are extending their lines to furnish same to those who may have occasion to use power for any purpose. Let Us Quote YOU Rates SET-Main 46 THE EDISON ELECTRIC CO. SANTA ANA THE EDISON ELECTRIC COMPANY has an Abundance of Power and are extending their lines to furnish same to those who may have occasion to use power for any purpose. Let Us Quote YOU Rates THE EDISON ELECTRIC CO. SANTA ANA California Wine Co. F. Conrad & Son, Props. Enter Street - Anaheim Wholesale Wine and Liquor Merchants Brands of Bottled Beer. Delivery Made Everywhere Peter Stoffel HEADQUARTERS FOR FRESH VEGETABLES Kansas Hard-wheat Flour Consignments of Staple and Fancy Groceries Received Daily. Sunset 237 Home 1103 PETER STOFFEL Prop. DRINK PRIME BEER It makes you healthy. Keg and bottled Beer delivered to all parts of the city. UNION BREWING CO. Phone Sunset 301 Home 1246 It makes you healthy. Keg and bottled Beer delivered to all parts of the city. UNION BREWING CO. Phone Sunset 301 Home 1246 Talking about ICE you ought to know that we supply it in any quantity. We furnish small pieces for families, or large quantities for restaurants, butchers saloons, etc. Our prices are right, our delivery is prompt. Phones—Home 1542, Sunset 91 our prices on Hay, Grain, Seeds and Poultry Supplies before buying. It will pay you. H. H. Gardner Co. C. B. HOLLEY, Manager HEALD'S Southern California Business College 614 South Grand Avenue, Los Angeles, California. Greatest business training institution in the south. Open during the entire year. Write for J. W. LACKEY, Manager.