The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1897-10-27

with the previous year IL shows a decrease
Of 329S original homestead entries, aggre-
eating 1852 acres. In the entire disposals
q pubic lands there was falling off of
5,8l0.4O6 acres. The area sold for cash
reached 4l9,052 acres. and miscellaneous en-
tries aggregated 1874 ,554 acres. The receipts
IRON the disposal Of public lands amounted
70 sl,os9 so; and ffolM the disposal OF Indian
lands $43S. 776
There were 81 ,07s agricultural patents is
sued. approximating 5,733,920 acres. There
were patented for the benefit 0f railroad
companies under congressional grants 81
10l9 acres, a decrease of over 10000. 90
acres from the previous year. Lists OF
lands selected by the several States and
Territories under the grant for educational
purposes aggregated f39, All acres. At the
close of the year there were pending rail-
road selections embracing II. 436, 500 acres.
Approximate estimate of the number of
acres of vacant public lands in the several
states and Territories at the close of the
fiscal year is as follows: Alabama, 532 339;
ARIZONA, a. 400.2E, Arkansas, 1922, 042; Cali
fornia, A. S41 044; Colorado, 403. 2J4; Florida,
l,tga662, Idaho, 4o,962,S50; Kansas, l,O46ooy;
Louisiana, Si5, GO; Michigan. 52z, ISL; Mime
sofa, 6,240 049; Mississippi. al 10. Missouri,
49l ,l64; Montana. II ,4325l4; Nebraska, TO-
669 353; Nevada 81, 57S $50; New Mexico 3d.
SS3 0l7; North Dakota. Il. 3S5,293; Oklahoma.
SLOPES; Oregon, 1882, 3lS; South Dakota,
l3,250,1 Utah, z4,2U1sZi0; Washington, H.
95S $50; Wisconsin, 454.107; Wyoming, 49,3il.-
6SS; Alaska 369, o29 600 acres. These figures
do not include the vacant land embraced in
military, timber and Indian reservations,
reservoir sites, tracts covered by selec-
The mining industry reached Its lowest
point during the past year, but is now on
the increase. In view Of tie expected filing
of many locations incident to the opening
OF the upper Yukon district, the commits
Eioner favors the establishment Of another
land district in Alaska Noting the fact
that numerous mining syn dicates are al
ready in the field competing for the title to
the mary individual locations now being
made on the rich mineral discoveries in
Alaska, il is recommended that the law be
so amended as to prohibit the including OF
more than one lode claim, Or more than 100
acres of placer ground in a single applica-
ton or entry.
There were $40 cases of depredations on
public timber reported, involving value
Of $685. O64 recoverable to the government.
Nearly three hundred permits have been is
Bued TO cut public timber since the passage
amount of timber thus allowed to be cut
of eco 900 0O0 feet. Commissioner Hermann
says: Large corporations, ana coIinps I -
have secured permits at different times TO
cut many millions OF feet of timber, notably
the Big Blackfoot Milling Company Bit
ter Root Developing Company, and MN
duction / have refused TO allow any IL
cense or use to exceed one quarter sec
ton and any further quantity only upon
showing of the real necessity.
AT present timber dealers yearly sweep
vast quantities of timber from the public
lands In the interests of SpeculatlonS WITH
out paying dollar to the government, ana
confiagrations continually rage through the
public forests without government efIoTt 10
check their destruction The timber loss
yearly from these sources conservatively,
runs up into the millions OF dollars. IL Is
impracticable to protect the forests upon
the public domain without provision for
the maintenance of a full local force TO sll-
pervise the timbered lands and execute
these laws.
Among the recommendations are for
prompt action by Congress to terminate the
SUSPENSION of Arkansas land claims; a
change in the course OF proceedings for the
adjustment of mineral lands modification
of the law imposing penalties Tor oepre saa
lions on public timber. and ample appro-
priations for protecting and administering
existing and prospective forest reSerVa-
tionS.