Bill Taft: “All communications to the Department of State should be addressed to the Secretary of State.”

Now, Therefore, I, William Howard Taft, President of the United States of America, do, in accordance with the provisions of the Act of Congress and the joint resolution of Congress herein named, declare and proclaim the fact that the…

There is no difference between the reasons which call for the application of the leasing system to the coal lands still retained by the Government in the United States proper and those which exist in Alaska.

I think it to be greatly in the interest of fair dealing, which ought always to be encouraged by law.

Now, I hope that it has taken the railroads out of politics.