The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1901-11-25

part of a national system of forest and
water conservation. They cannot be sue
cessful II maintained, however. without a
thorough system of forest protection. The
Introduction Of practical forestry on the
forest reserves has now begun The gen.
eral policy as announced in an outline
memorandum to the commissioner OF the
Land Office Is that additional forest re-
serves. with boundaries drawn to liberate
the smallest amount of scrip, should be
created during this winter, the good Will OF
residents in or near the reserves should
be gained, forest fires guarded against and
the resources Of the reserves should be
made available for the conservative use Of
the people. Systematic investigation de-
signed TO make them accessible and useful
should be undertaken, and each forest re-
serve and part thereon should be dealt with
on its own merits.
Legislation to correct the abuses that
have grown up in the practice of lieu Sc
~lections Of land is urged.
PENSION RECOMMENDATIONS.
The report highly Endorses the work and
recommendation of Commissioner of Pen
sions Evans. and says that the veterans
have no more sincere friend than their
comrade. the commissioner, "who himself
served as an enlisted man in the armies
OF the Union, and he but maintains and de-
tends the honor of their patriotic service
when. refusing to ignore both the letter and
spirit of the law, he declines to permit the
impostor. whether claimant or agent, to
share in the bounty provided for the vet
eran and those dependent upon him"
On the question of reclamation Of the
arid region the secretary says: The in
vestigations which nave been carried on
demonstrate that there is no one question
now before the people Of the United States
of greater Importance than the conserva-
ton Of the water supply and the reclama-
ton Of the arid lands of the West and
their settlement by men who will actually
build homes and create communities
1t Is recommended that construction at
once be begun as follows: The San Carlos
storage reservoir in Arizona, retaining one
hundred thousand acres or more Of public
lands at an estimated cost of $1.O40, 600;
reservoirs in the Sierra Nevada. i'm Cali
fornia for retaining desert lands in Ne
vada; the last diversion of St. Mary river
into the head waters of Milk river in
Montana. An appropriation of $3.50, 900 is
asked to carry on the photographic work of
the geological survey.
The secretary says the net earnings of
the bond aided and land grant railroads
gross earnings TO SCI, 10, 1000. The increase
in expenses for the year was over $24. 600. 600.
The debt of the Central Pacific road to the
United States now stands at $5S,Sl2. 7l5.
The secretary submits the annual report
received from the Maritime Canal Company
of Nicaragua, which shows that since its
organization, 10.145 shares of it's capital
stock have been subscribed for at par ag-
~gregating $1,014,5 500, and that the total
amount of cash received i'm the treasury
as reported by the company is 81, TIA. Coz.
The expenses of the company have been
$1.172,71 in cash; 1890 shares Of full paid
capital stock; $5,O0O.0O0 OF first MORTGAGE
bonds and it's obligation for 81, S55. 900 of
these first mortgage bonds. 1t also has
issued 10000 shares of it's capital stock
at par value in payment of concessionarv
rights. etc. The liabilities of the capital
consist of the amount still due under its
concession of the $l.S55,00 of bonds men
toned, and of cash liabilities outstanding
-aggregating 100000. Its assets comprise lis
unused capital stock, the $51S,5 o first mort
gage bonds and the 2.420 shares Of capital
stock received In liquidation of the claim
against the Nicaragua Canal Construction
Company; the concession, etc, and the
plant. railways, supplies and other property
in CENTRAL America"