The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1899-12-02
pound.
SECY HITCHCOCK'S REPORT.
REVIEW OF THE work OF THE
DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR,
Tho Public Domain Now Consists OF
1,0sa, 1921 Acres-Irrigation of Arid
Lands-Thc Progress Of the Indians To-
ward Civillra tion-The Pension Uurenu

Tho Public Domain Now Consists of
,oss,lSS,"@l Acres-Irrigation of Arid
Lands-The Progress of the Indians To-
ward Civillration-The Pension Burenu.
WASHINGTON. Dec. 1.-The annual report OF
the Secretary OF the Interior reviews the work
OF tho bureaus under his jurisdiction during
the past fiscal year.
.On the subject OF public lands the report says
that 0.lS2.4l3 acres were disposed OF during
the year. leaving the total areas now approx-
matoly l.oS2.13S,22l ncres. OF which l5o 800 =
l53 acres have been reserved for various pur-
poses. Scventy-four million acres Of the
rrhlic domain consist Of arid lands.
which would be highly productive under n
proper system OF irrigation. and that this vast
area should remain desert. Is not. says the
Secretary. In keeping with the progressive
spirit OF the age. lie recommends reason
able expenditure by the Government. together
with state aid toward tho Inauguration OF a
well defined system OF irrigation.
For forest reserves tho secretary recon-
mends an increased appropriation for the ext
fiscal year. ns being necessary for the effective
protection Of the timber on those lands. and
says that $780, 900 Is barely adequate for the
work.
On the Indian question the report says tina,
In tho past year considerable progress has
been made by the Indians generally, toward
civilization. Tho Indian schools have
been well managed and productive of
good results. or tho ~ schools. OAR
are under exclusive control OF tho de-
partmrnt and - are conducted by relig-
ious societies, Excluding $500 Indians IN
New York. and U2,500 embraced in the Ave
civilized tribes. the Indians number lSI, 5SI
wnlch Us an increase OF i5i for the year In
summing un tho work of the commission on
the iiyo civilized tribes. which the Secretary
ceuing year, he calls attention 10 the onlnion
OF the com mission that the time had not arrIyoj
lorthe installation OF n State or territorial form
OF government for the Indian Territory. owing
TO the lack OF uniform land tenures
In reviewing the work OF the Pension Bureou
secretary Hitchcock approves the rccommsn-
uatlon by the Commissioner OF Pensions thar
congress prescribe limitation OF $3.50 a year
indepondent OF tho proceeds OF their daily
labor. ms the minimum income Of widows 10
whom pensions can be granted under the act
o. 1850 the law at present working hardsbips.
The report also recommends that the fees 81
attorneys Tor service in pension matters ut tho
rates presCribed by Congress be naid by the
OF BY the pensioners.
Commenting on the report OF the Commits
Sionnr o, Patents: Secretary Hitchcock says:
Tho Ia Ont ONCE Is more than sef-sustain-
ing. AZ american inventive genius has cheap
ened the cost OF production, to tho advantage
81 American wages IL would seem as though
Z he Legislative branch Of the Ciovernment
should do much to encourage tho useful arts
ana ne Inventors OF tho country At the pre-
sent time our manufacturers are reaching ont
Tor foreign markets and no greater aid can bo
given them than by fostering and STIMULATING
lnventlon. % become dom inant In the m rketS
ot inc world through labor-saving inventions
whieh VIII enable It TO compete with the lower