Woodrow Wilson to James D. Phelan

You telephoned me this morning regarding the proposition to have a commission, or some sort of a tripartite arrangement, regarding the decisions as to titles and leases in Naval Reserve No. 2. I said at that time that I did not wish such an arrangement made.

I wish now to make this proposition to you and to the Committee: That you allow the Secretary of the Navy to make all decisions and all leases and make any arrangement that the law permits regarding all naval reserves. This would be in effect a complete transfer of jurisdiction of these naval reserves to the Navy Department, which of course would have to be done by Act of Congress. To this I will agree, provided thereby a bill can be secured by which the closed resources of the west in phosphate, oil, potash and coal can be opened for development.

I think that such a commission as you suggested would cause delay rather than expedition in the handling of the business.

Cordially yours,
Woodrow Wilson


Hon. James D. Phelan,
United States Senate.