The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1898-11-25
REVISION OF
PENSION LAWS
Advocated by Secretary
Bliss.
ALASKAN AFFAIRS DISCUSSED
SMUGGLING OF LIQUOR DIFF
CULT TO CHECK.
Urgent Appeal for Land Laws for
the Settled Portion Of the
Great and Rich Terri
tory.
AFFAIRS DISCUSSED
SMUGGLING OF LIQUOR DIFF
CULT TO CHECK.
Special Dispatch to The Call.


detail the progress of pension, Indian,
land, patent. educational and territorial
affairs. Reviewing the gradual dimlnu-
ton Of the public land area, Secretary
ed 100000.
OF three hundred and odd million acres of
desert land requiring irrigation to render
them valuable farming lands, the avail
able water supply is suIhclent for only H.
500 900 acres, leaving 26D, 676 900 acres suit
able only for grazing purposes. There are
thirty forest reservations, embracing an
estimated area of 40,719,44 acres.
Reviewing pension matters, Secretary
Bliss reports 635, 900 claims of all classes
pending, and says separate division
has been organized for the adjudication
Of claims growing out of the war with
Spain. These soldiers will receive their
pensions under the general law for per-
manent disabilities contracted in the
service
He also concurs in the recommended
ton for the creation of commission
to revise the pension laws and regula-
lions in the interest of a future rella-
bic, intelligent and uniform practice.
Early legislative enactment for the
taking of the twelfth census is urged
in view of the necessary large amount
of work preparatory to the enumera-
ton of the population.
The advancement along educational
lines is outlined by an increase OF over
a quarter of a million of pupils in the
United States for the fiscal year 1867
over the previous one, but yet the aver
age amount of schooling per individual
for the whole United States, measured
bv the present standard, does not quite
equal five years of 200 days each 1or
each inhabitant. The total NUMBER OF
school pupils in the country IN ele-
mentary public and private schools.
colleges, universities, high schools and
academies is put at 1926, 093
The reindeer and Lapland drivers in
Alaska have largely passed into the
service Of the Postoffice Department
and are now being distributed for car
rying the Yukon mail up and down the
valley of the Yukon through thousand
miles of scattered mining settlement In
the wilderness.
The report makes no mention of the
recommendation of Commissioner OF
Railroads Longstreet for the Govern
ment construction and operation OF a
new trans continental trunk line from
Kansas City to San Diego.
Secretary Bliss, summing up the re-
port of Governor Brady Of Alaska, calls
attention to the difficulty of preventing
the smuggling of liquor into Alaska. 1t
being impossible to enforce present reg
ulations without fleet of revenue cut
tiers and steam launches to patrol the
tortuous channels of Southeast Alaskan
waters.
Smuggling prevails and saloons are
open in all of the towns and mining
camps. The Governor reports con-
senSuS Of opinion in favor of Str1n-
gent high license law which would tend
to stamp out smuggling and liquor sell
ing to the natives. The application to
Alaska of the liquor laws in force in
the District of Columbia with several
minor notifications is urged as meet
ing a majority approval. The Governor
believes that Alaska should and can
pay revenue into the United States
Treasury.
Under a high license law he estimates
that the liquor traffic would yield an
annual revenue of not less than 5000, 900;
a tax of few cents per case on salmon
would produce from $4,000 to $50, 900;
10 cents a ton of wharfage collected
during the past year would have yield
ed 500, 900.
He recommends, however, that any
system of taxation for the Territory be
deferred until land laws shall have
been provided.
Many sections of Alaska it is shown,
are suitable for agricultural purposes.
With proper care cattle can be raised
in the milder districts. 1t cannot be
doubted that in the course of time
herds of reindeer viii cover the plains
of Northern Alaska and a few thou
sands Of dollars spent now in helping
the EsquimauX to obtain herds Will
save the expenditure of many thou
sands in the future.
The fur seals are doomed to extinction
unless all pelagic sealing can be stop
ped The branding of female seals has
proved a success. The brands render
the pelts valueless and show that the
United States has a property right to
the animal.
The raising of blue foxes is becoming
an imDOrtant industry
The hunting of the sea otter has been
so unremitting that few are now left.
The Governor recommends that the
killing of them be prohibited for a long
time
Representation in Congress for the
citizens Of Alaska is strongly urged.
An appropriation of 100000 for the
education of children in Alaska is
earnestly recommended.
Attention is called to the fact that
the rapid increase of the number Of
vessels plying in Alaskan waters ne
cessitates the erection of many light
houses Other recommendations include
q monthly mail service between Sitka
and Unalaska; cable connection be-
tween the United States and Alaska;
enlargement of administrative author
ity and extension of the land laws to
at least the settled portions.
The other territorial reports all claim
material progress and urge immediate
recognition as States.
Assistant Secretary of the Interior
Webster Davis, in his annual report,
says the 122,6S1 appeals from the Pen
sion Bureau and 626 motions for re-
consideration filed during the year
make UP number unprecedented in
any one year or two years in the his
tory of the Board Of Appeals. The pro-
portionate increase still continues and
on October list last there were II S20
such appeals Ind motions pending, and
Secretary Bliss concurs in Assistant
Secretary Da is recommendations for
providing for three additional members
of this board; for additional legislation
amending the act of August 1, 1887, re-
lating to marriage legislation; regulat
ing the payment Of pensions to soldiers
who deprive their families of. the use
thereof because of immoral habits and
incompetency; and legislative amend
ment in behalf of widows whose hus-
bands died while in the service, death
not being the result Of any violation of
any law regulation or rule of tn, mill
tary or naval service; death under such
conditions to be held to be equivalent
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