Omaha daily bee., 1902-11-04
BETTER LAWS ARE NEEDED
Congressional Action in Behalf Of Alaska is
Especially Urged.
PROTECTION FOR FORESTS OF COUNTRY
Commissioner Of the General Land
ONCE Ringer m submits
Annual Report TO the secrc-
tary of the Interior.

WASHINGTON. Nov. 3.-The annual re-
port Of Binger Hermann. commissioner o.
the general land ONCE. shows that the pub
lie land disposed Of by the government
during the year aggregated 10, ass. 535 acres,
an increase Of 3,a25, 739 acres over the
previous year. OF the aggregate 1,757, 1913
acres were sold for cash. 17.6i4.T9 acres
were embraced in miscellaneous entries
and the remainder were Indian lands.
COMMISSIONS Hermann recommends a
large appropriation specifically for surveys
in Alaska; legislation regarding rail right
of-ways granted: laws so that parties who
have expended large sums OF money for
power plants, etc, shall be protected
against subsequent settlers, and a large
appropriation to provide for an increased
number Of special agents to prevent tim
Der depredations and TO protect public
lands from unlawful entry. The report also
! renews previous recommendations for com
pulsory attendance Of witnesses in hearings
before district officers. for repeal OF exist
ing laws regarding timber on the un-
reserved public lands and substitution
therefor as a general law providing ample
protection for the forests and furnishing
means by which settlers, miners and others
may secure a sufficient supply Of timber
for their legitimate needs; legislation TO
protect game and fish in forest reserves;
extension OF me boundaries of Yellow
stone National park; and legislation giving
the president general authority to set
apart as national parks, public land tracts
having scientific or historic interest OF con-
tanning springs Of medicinal properties.
II is urged also that the law as to ex-
! change Of lands embraced in forest reserves
held by private owners of public lands not
in reservation be changed so as to secure
an approximation in value OF the lands re-
linquished with those selected in lieu
thereof.
Forest Reserves.
On October 1 last there were ffty-four
forest reserves, embracing 60, ia, 765 acres,
an increase of almost Ia, 900, 900 acres since
the last report. During the fiscal year
there were 1868 forest fires discovered
which burned over 81, 1893 acres. The con-
stantly decreasing area burned over is said
to demonstrate the efficiency Of the govern
ment forestry force.
The COMMISSIONS says that the with
drawal and proper policing of the f~orested
lands of the government during the year
has shown the following results:
1. The work has proved self-supporting
2. 1t has in addition brought In a revenue
to the government.
8. Needed. timber supplies have beer
placed within lawful reach Of the public.
4. Timber depredations within the re.
serve limits have practically ceased.
A little over 5000, 900 acres Of land wert
certified and patented to railways durint
the year under the land grants made b!
congress to aid in the construction Of rail
roads. During the season the Interior de
partment allowed 1,197.0 900 sheep to entei
eight Of the reservations for specified
periods, the grazing to be confined to GER
tain areas and 459. 1877 head Of cattle ant
horses to Craze in thirty-eight Of thu
reservations.
Concerning reforestation, the repor
says:
Assuming that the reforestation of tn
denuded areas in the forest reserves, wher
sufficient moisture prevails to make tn
termination of seeds of the native tree
possible. might be expected to result in goo
time, IL the occurrence of devastating fire
could be reduced to a minimum. and tn
grazing Of stock restrained within prope
limits are reduced to a safe basis, the for
est force has been required to make extr
e%xertion TO prevent damage by fire, an,
to keep the office duly informed relative I
the effects of stock grazing and to kee
out stock not licensed to enter the reserves
and all the evidences point to almost un
varying success.
The forest trees are coming back. onl
where there Is a plentiful rainfall, and no
a little hope is found in the fact that tn
native trees are reproducing themselve
in the drier portions of the country, wher
the fires are kept out and where grazing 4
restrained within reasonable limits. an
many a waste place is becoming a wilder
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