Aberdeen herald. [volume] (Aberdeen, Chehalis County, W.T.) 1886-1917, 1901-11-07
TO SAVE TIMBER
IMPORTANT ACTION By LAND
COMMISSIONER
Who Proposes, II Possible. to Prevent the
Denudins Of Washington Forest Lands
Some Frauds In Subdivisional Surveys
The Abolition Of Alaska Land Offices Is
Recommended.


sioner OF the general land Office proposes
to take active steps to prevent public
lands in the state Of Washington from
being denuded Of timber. In his annual
report, just published, he says it has
been brought to his knowledge that sur
veys have been made of vast tracts OF
land covered with dense growth OF valu-
able timber, in the mountainous regions,
and as this land is unfit for agricultural
or mineral purposes, the evident purpose
OF the survey was to denude the land OF
its timber. This, he says, would endan-
ger the water supply, which is neces-
sity to settlers in the lower lands. There
fore, Commissioner Herman proposes to
withhold these lands from disposal and
direct special agent to verify the report
of the examiner and submit to the de-
partment his views as to the advlsablllty
Of setting apart the same as permanent
forest reserve. =,
"It has also been reported to me-
saws the c Commissioner, "by parties who
are without bias, and whose information
is in the interest of the public good, that
when subdivisional surveys have been
undertaken bv contract, in some dis
tricts, efforts by interested parties have
been exerted to have presented in the
field notes worthless sections as mineral
land upon insufficient proof, in view to
having these worthless school sections
used Is basis and the right OF lieu Sc
lection sold by unscrupulous persons to
parties who thus acquire valuable agrl-
cultural or timber land that afterward is
found to contain no mineral or lndlca-
lions thereof, thus defrauding the gov
eminent of arabic land.
"In order to put stop to this practice
have prepared a circular to examiners
of surveys to make special report on
these school sections as to their mineral
character, go that if deputies are neglii-
gent in returning the character OF such
sections in their notes the discrepancy
will he revealed upon comparison OF the
field notes and the deputy proceeded
against for his misconduct"
The commissioners report shows that
nineteen townships in Washington were
surveyed and accepted during the last
fiscal wear. with surveyed lines, aggre.
eating 1908 miles and area of 1903, 3Se
acres. Ninety.one township plats and
thirty-three diagrams of exteriors were
produced. Sixty-one mineral surveys
were made, with 3O7 mineral plats con-
structed.
Alaska Land Offices.
o ,:onds mat Tie r~aPa urgently rec:
offices be discontinued: ne appMf;a eas al
recommendation especially W ol C;tw
Nnlato. Weare, Rampant anu anu, Si h;s renor
The following paragraph IRON. ,,as fo
c;ves the substance OF MS 'e''o'''
This recommendation horo No nee,
VIE .SThe mineral claimants nave Nv a ,te,'
tor land office until they seek p T%a;
~ ~. iands covered by their claims. A .I'n
l n,a;,ns are secure to them as long as h .so
c lai,r'n their possessory rights, wne,,
m"; y thsv anplied for patent they woul
a. n m mir to have their claims suf!eye
ne re!u n;Iaroble cost. Besides this e.
AZ co" n"na Of which need be incurred
long as the possessory,r'ghtls m ,nt;ce nf h
the claimant, by pubilshin; Y, '' 81 ;nvitir
onnlications, runs the RISK VI YEA, a,
cpstlv contests by adverse ciailil ;,te,s ST.
; IN that manner jeopardizes ms lh, ,a;n;'
Aftar he has complied with locai A ill'm ~;
rno",,iat;ons he can proceed Win ms ~;
snT,arations until he exhausts tlle n,
lns, Janosits on his claim, ana az y
1a~d Itself is practically worthless a.. az
Ianu ;',arals have been taken away, .l u.
!ne n l' ;mcamt;ye to induce him to seek u
y! ~. ~ - +hronqh the local offices. ana Vic
go Int few applications WIZ eHe,
wade there. They do not want the 'ai''