The Coal Lands Controversy: A Call for Action1949-03-17Albert, Carl Bert, 1908-2000http://rightsstatements.org/vocab/NKC/1.0/enghttp://congressarchives.org/record/CAC_CC_001_4_6_59_0004The document from Carl Albert to Rex Collins discusses legislation providing appropriations for paying the Choctaw and Chickasaw Indians for their segregated coal and asphalt lands. Carl Albert explains that the matter cannot be settled through a rider on an appropriation bill and that the government has already taken into account the value and equities of the land. He suggests that administratively, small operators should be protected in their right to lease from the government. Rex Collins expresses concern about the concentration of coal lands being purchased from Indians and turned over to the Bureau of Mines, which he believes will harm small operators in the area. He requests that a rider be added to the appropriation bill to require the government to sell the land to present leases and limit the amount of land one entity can acquire.