The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1902-11-07
COMMISSIONER HERMANN'S RE.
sumo OF BUSINESS.
A FEW Recommendations
Attention Is Called to Some Needs Of
the Department-Forest Fires
During the Past Year.

Washington, Nov. 3.-The annual
report of Binger Hermann, of the
general land Office shows that the
public land disposed of by the gov.
eminent during the year aggregate
19,4SS,53 acres AN increase of $780,
739 acres over the previous year. OF
the aggregate 1, 757, 1893 acres were
embraced in miscellaneous entries and
the remainder were Indian lands.
Commissioner Hermann recommends
a large appropriation specially for
surveys in Alaska; legislation regu-
lating railroad rights of way granted
under existing laws SO that parties
who have expended large sums Of
money for power plants, ETC., shall
be protected against subsequent set
tiers and a large appropriation to pro-
vide for an increased number of spe-
cial agents to prevent timber depre-
dations and to protect timber lands
from unlawful entry.
Renewed.
The report also renews previous
recommendations for compulsory at
tendance of witnesses in hearings be-
fore district land Offices; for repeal
of existing laws regarding valuation
on reserved public lands and substi-
tuition therefor of a general law pro-
viding for ample protection for the
forests and to furnish means by
which settlers, miners and others
may secure a sufficient supply of tim
Der for their legitimate needs, legis-
lation to protect game and fish in for
est reserves, extension of the bound
aries of the Yellowstone National
park and legislation giving the pres
ident authority to set apart as ma
tional parks land tracts having sci
entific or historical interest or con-
tanning springs of medicinal proper
ties. 1t is urged also that the law as
to the exchange of lands embraced
in forest reserves held by private own
ers for public lands which are not
in renovation be changed so as to
secure an approximation in value of
the lands relinquished with those Sc
lected in liue thereof. On October l,
last, there were As forest reserves,
embracing COLTS, 675 acres, an in
crease of almost 1000. 900 acres since
the last report.
The Forest Fires.
During the fiscal year there were
1868 forest fires discovered, which
burned wei S7,799 acres. The con
stantly decreasing areas which are
burned over is said to demonstrate
the efficiency of the government for
estry force.
The commissioner says the with
drawal and properly policing of the
forest lands of the government dur
ing the year has shown the following
results:
1.-The work has proved self-sup
porting.
2-It has in addition brought in
revenue to the government.
3-Needed timber supplies have
been placed with lawful reach of the
public. Timber ~depredations within
the reserve limits have practically
ceased.
A little over 5000, 900 acres of lane
were certified and patented to rail
ways during the year under the LAM
grants made by congress to aid il
the construction of railroads. Dur
ing the season the Interior depart
ment allowed 1,197, 900 sheep to ente
eight of the reservations for specific
periods, the grazing to be confined t
specified areas, and 4OO,137 head O
cattle and horses to Craze in SO of tn
reservations.
Concerning reforestation, the repor
says:
As to Reforestation.
Assuming that the reforestatio
of the denuded areas in the forest r.
. serves where sufficient moisture pr
walls to make the termination {
seeds Of the native trees possible
might be expected to result in goo
time if tho ooc,1rropcoc of dovact.