The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1902-11-03
MORE LAND SALES.
Government Report Shows Consider
able Increase for Past Year.

Washington, D. c., Nov. 3-The an
nal report of Binger Hermann, commits
sioner of the general land office. shows
that the public land disposed of by the
government during the year aggregated
19, 4SS, 535 acres, an increase of 3925,739
acres over the previous year. OF the ag-
gregate 1,757,593 acres were sold for
cash, 17,614.792 acres were embraced in
miscellaneous entries and the remain
der were Indian lands.
Commissioner Hermann recommends
a large appropriation specifically for
surveys in Alaska; legislation regarding
railroad rights of way granted under
existing laws so that parties who have
expended large sums of money for pow
err plants, etc, shall be protected against
subsequent settlers, and a large appro-
priation to provide for an increased
number of special agents to prevent
timber depredations and to protect pub
lie lands from unlawful entry. The re-
port also renewS previous recommended
tons for compulsory attendance of wit
nesses in hearings before district land
officers; for repeal of existing laws re-
garding timber on the unreserved pub
lie lands and substitutions therefore of
a general law providing ample protec-
ton for the forests and furnishing
means by which monoDOlies, settlers,
miners and others may secure a suffi
Gent supply of timber for their legiu-
mate needs; legislation to protect game
and fish in forest reserves: extension of
the boundaries of Yellowstone National
park and legislation giving the presf-
dent general authority to set apart as
national parks public land tracts having
scientific or historic interest or contain
ing springs of medicinal properties. 1t
is urged also that the laws as to ex-
change of lands, embraced In forest re-
serves held by private owners for pub
lie lands. not in reservation be changed
so as TO secure an approximation in
value of the lands relinquished with
those selected in lieu thereof. On Octo-
Der 1, last, there We're 81 forest reserves,
embracing 60,175,76 acres. an increase
of almost 100000 acres since the last
report.
During the fiscal year there were 1853
forest fires discovered which burned
over 81, 799 acres The Constantly de-
creasing area burned over is said to
demonstrate the efficiency of the gov
eminent forestry force.
The commissioners say that the with
drawal and proper policing of the forested
lands of the government during the year
has SHOWN the following results:
! l. The work has proved Self-SuppOrting-
2 1t has, in addition, brought in a rev.
enue to the government.
placed within lawful reach of the public
/ 4. Timber depredations within the re-
serve limits have practically ceased
1 certified and patented to railways during
| the year under the land grants made by
roads During the season the interior de-
partment allowed l. $4,000 sheep to enter
| eight of the reservations for specified per
/ iods the grazing to be confined to specified
areas, and 459 1877 head of cattle and horses
! to Craze in IS of the reservations.
| Concerning reforestation, the report
! says:
Assuming that the reforestation of The
| denuded areas in the forest reserves. where
sufficient moisture prevails to make the
termination of seeds of native Trees pos
! sible might be expected to result in good
time if the occurrence of devastating fires
could be reduced to a minimum and the
grazing of stock restrained within proper
/ limits and reduced to a safe basis. the for
est force has been required to make extra
exertions to prevent damage by fire end
to keep the office fully informed relative
to the effects of stock grazing and to keep
out stock not licensed to enter the reserves
and all evidences point to almost unvary-
| ing success.
'7The forest trees are coming back. not
only where there is a plentiful rainfall, but
not a little hope is found in the fact that
the native trees are reproducing them
selves in the drier portions of the coun
try, where the fires are kept out and
| where azing is restrained within a -ea-
| sonable limit and many waste place is
becoming a wilderness of verdure.