The San Francisco call., 1897-08-20

of the map designated the Government
reservation of forest area. 1t is now the
policy of the United States to preserve
the forests of the Sierra from fire and de-
vastation in order that the dense under
growth and foliage of the higher branches
may hold in reserve for gradual distrlbu'
ton to the mountain streams the SHOWS
and rains of the region. The important
truth is now appreciated that natural for
ests are great conservers of the water sup
ply of the country. II is known, too,
that the destruction of forests tends to
precip itate floods from the highlands to
the valleys during the rainy season, and
so greatly diminish the natural supply OF
water TO the valleys and plains when the
moisture in summer is most needed.
The forest reservations OF California, in
dependent of the sections reserved for the
Yosemite, General Grant and Sequoia
National parks, embrace 6, 600, 900 acres of
land. The San Gabriel reserve contains
500, $50 acres, th. Sierra reserve 4, ,096 600
acres, the San Bernardino 737, go acres,
Stanislaus 691, 200 acres, San Jacnto 737-
$50 acres and the Trabuco reservation,
Orange County, 49, 920 acres.
missioner Hermann arrived from
the north yesterday and was greeted on
his arrival at the Palace Hotel by his old
associate in Congress, Warren B. Hooker
They served together on the Rivers and
Harbors Committee and bad much in
common to talk about. Mr. Hermann
served twelve years in Congress, rerre-
senting an Oregon constituency. Last
March President Mckinley appointed
him to the responsible position of Com
missioner OF the General Land Office, and
Mr.. Hermann is now here in an official
capacity.
In conversation with a CALL reporter
yesterday Mr.. hermann said
"The Government has adopted policy
for the preservation of the forests of the
country, and | regard the subject as one
of vast importance 10 the people of Cali
tornia. Money was appropriated at the
last session of Congress which will permit
the employment of special agents and for.
est guardians. The laws were amended
so as 10 permit mining prospeclors to
enter the reserved regions and prospect
for mineral deposits. Where precious
metal is found the finder may lay claim TO
and secure patent to the land.
1.-THE rights of settlers in the reserved
area have been guarded, but the utmost
vigilance will be exercised to prevent the
destruction of tim ber by fire or by the
negligence of individu uals. In some re-
81 ects the German system of forest ad-
ministration has been copied Agents
will be authorized to dis pose of fallen
tim Der and to designate where certain
standing trees may be cut down for use.
In this manner considerable revenue
may be derived without injury to the
forests"
When asked If any questions affecting
the administration of the land offices in
California would engage his attention
the Commissioner said: II shall see the
Surveyor General, Mr.. Green, tomorrow
and talk on the subject of the Benson
survey. This is question Of long stand
ing and one of much concern to settlers in
California. For many years patents have
been withheld by reason OF the mistakes
in the original survey. Surveyors are in
the field, and among them is one who
pointed out many of the errors of the
Benson survey.
when these surveyors finish the re-
survey their wo rk will be examined and
corrected by special examiners. Yes, am
confident that the whole work of re-
adjustment will be completed within the
next twentv-four months, and that every
settler entitled to patent of land will
receive his title from the Government
The Com missioner did not enter into
discussion concerning the stories of fraud
in connection with the Benson survey,
but mentioned that the matters N dis
pute, which had been unsettled fol
twenty-five years, were In process OF hnal
adjustment on the basis of true and veri-
fled surveys.
As the mineral-land bill was not passed
at the las session OF Congress, the Com
missioner said he would not be called
upon at present to make a segreg CATION OF
mineral and agricultural lanus EN- braced
in the grants to the Southern Pacific and
other railroad corporations
Commissioner Hermann expects TO
lo So Fro 10 D.
and within short time return to his post
OF duty in Washington, D. &.
In Eranca fhara ara far .ao.. -