The Saint Paul globe., 1902-11-24

pensioners on the roll during the fiscal
year ended June 80, 1902, was l,041, ,687,
at the close of the year was 999, ,446, a
net gain over the previous year OF 1,7lp,
and exceeding in number of pensioners any
former year.
''The gains to the rolls during the year
were 40,121 new pensioners and 1881 re-
newals and restorations, a total OF 1882.
The losses to the rolls during the year
by death were 37,145, and from other
causes 5,O96, a total of 42,241. leaving a
net gain of LII for the year.
Surveys In Alaska.
"The rapid increase In the mineral pro-
duction of Alaska, has led to many de-
mands for Investigations and surveys In
priation of 100000, it is impossible to
meet all these demands, for this amount
is only adequate to put four or, at most,
season Of iso1-2 four parties were actively
engaged in survey and exploratory work
in Alaska The plans for these invest1ga-
tions were carried out practically as out
lined in the last report. Two parties
made important surveys in the vast un-
explored region north of the Yukon.
Reconnaissance were made from the
Koyukuk to both the north Arctic coast
by way of the Colville river and to Kot-
zebue sound by way of the Kowak r1v-
err In the Seward peninsula another
party made a geologic and topographic me
reconnaissance of an area of some 5000
square miles, which led to important con-
clusions in regard to the distribution of
the gold placers. In Southeastern Alas
was made Of the Ketchikan mining dis
trict, which promises to become an i'm
portant producer of gold, silver and cop
per.
Irrigation.
"The construction of water storage and
irrigation works of magnitude is In many
respects still a matter of experiment. In
nearly every part of the country where
have offered to their builders a series
of, surprises. Even though carefully
planned, one part or another has had to
be replaced or changed. In government
reclamation act it Is of prime 1mpor-
tance that all of the designs should be
considered with unusual care, so that er-
Tors may be avoided and the confidence
of the people in the finished work be fully
justified; - J., 49, ..
rying out of the irrigation law results In
a proper desire to see something accom-
plished as soon as possible: This IS
voiced by the current expression that the
people wish to see the water running over
the dams before another season passes
There is no one more desirous than the
secretary Of the interior and his assist
ants of bringing about such condit1on;
but it is far more important that the wa
ter should be running over Well-con-
structed works for an indefinite number
of years than through the ruins OF a sin
gle failure.
the water must be left to the people who
are dependent upon the use Of this wa
ter for their livelihood. Throughout the
arid regions it may be said that o-opera-
ton in the handling of water has been
the requisite for success. 1t is appre-
ciated that sorte form of cooperative
organization must be encouraged on the
part of persons using water from q given
source, and an effort Is being made to
formulate the project for cooperative
control of the irrigation works, and to in,
regulaaSls for obtaining title to- the
land and the water.
Yellowstone Park.
"I have discussed in prior reports the
advisability of extending the boundaries