Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1894-10-22
THE DOCKERY EXPERTS
Business Methods in the Interior Depart
partment Being Investigated.
Changes in the Mode of DispSsing OF
Suggested to the Commission.

The experts of the Dockery commission
are now giving their attention to the In
terror Department. A careful investigation
is being made by them to see IL the business
methods In the department can be improved.
Many suggestions have been offered, but
yet nothing definite in the way Of a re-
port has been decided upon. The methods
of disposing of public land matters have re-
ceived some attention, and the experts be-
lieve that q way of Improvement will be
found which can be put in practical opera
tion. They find that in the matter of land
contests, subject that occupies the atten-
ton of many clerks and officers of the
general land office and interior Department,
there should be. If possible, a change. At
present contest is made before the land
office in the west, the testimony is taken
before the register and receiver, and the
case decided by them. If either party is
dissatisfied an appeal is taken to the gen
eral land Office, where the testimony is
examined, and in the course of six months
or n year decision Is made. Then, if the
parties are SO disposed, another appeal can
be taken to the secretary of the Interior
ana here the case may remain a year or
more before 1t is finally decided.
The Remedy Proposed.
Even this does not mean a permanent ad-
judication, for either party could take the
case into the courts, where it would have
It's final settlement. 1t could not be ap-
pealed from the Secretary of the Interior
to the courts, but new case could be
commenced 1t has been suggested to the
experts that the right of appeal, which car
rleS the case along for several years, ought
to be stopped, and that a decision by the
commissioner of the general land office
should be hnal so far as the government is
concerned. This would relieve the Secre-
tary or the Interior and the assistant attor-
ney general from great deal of judicial
work which is now performed. If the eX-
pertS should recommend and the Dockery
commission should indorse this method of
ending appeals with tne commissioner it
probably would meet with a great deal of
opposition from several quarters. In the
hrst place, the land attorneys would oppose
such an innovation, because 1t would
largely reduce their practice before the de-
pdrtment. As to what position any SeCre-
tary OF the Interior might take is a mat
ter of doubt. While ne would be relieved OF
a great dell OF work and responsibility,
1t Is doubtful If he would consent to sew
ering his own authority from one of the
important branches of the department.
Answers 10 the Arguments.
This is answered by those who propose the
scheme by saying that the Secretary could
still have supervision and could direct the
commissioner to conform to his view in i'm
portant cases. 1t is also claimed that there
is no reason why the commissioner should
not be as weli able to decide as the Secre-
tary, and as the land department is not a
court of final resort anyway the case might
as we'll be decided on one appeal as two. 1t
Is likely that should the commission make a
recommendation such as indicated effort
would be made by many Congressman to
make the legislation still more radical and
90 what has often been suggested-turn ali
public lands over TO the states in which they
are situated and close up the government
connection with the land business as soon
Is possible. The experts or the commission
Will hardly make any such recommenda ton,
although it Is known that this phase of the
matter has been considered.