The Jasper weekly courier. [volume] (Jasper, Ind.) 1858-1922, 1902-11-07
GENERAL LAND OFFICE.
Items From the Annual Report Of
the Commissioner of the Gen.
ersl Land Office.
PUBLIC LANDS DISPOSED OF IN 1902.
Special appropriations Recommends
ed for surveys In Alaska and
Other Purposer-scsuIts Follow
ing the Proper Policing Of For
ested Government Lands.

Washington, Nov 4.-The annual re-
port of Binger Hermann, commission
er of the general land office, shows
that the public land disposed Of by
the government during the year ag-
gregated 10,4ss, 535 acres. an increase
of 3,925,739 acres over the previous
year. OF the aggregate l,757,793 acres
were sold for cash, 1.,6l4,7s2 acres
were embraced in miscellaneous en-
tries, and the remainder were Indian
lands. Commissioner Hermann rec
ommends large appropriation speci-
fically for surveys in Alaska; legisla-
ton regarding 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 large appropriation to
provide for an increased number of
special agents to prevent timber
dcpreda tions and to protect public
lands from unlawful entry The re-
port also renews previous recommen-
dations for compulsory attendance of
witnesses in hearings before district
land Offices; for repeal Of existing
laws regarding timber on the unre-
served public lands, and substitution
therefor of a general law providing
ample protection for the forests and
furnishing means by which settlers,
miners and others may secure sufii-
Gent supply of timber for their legiti-
mate needs; legislation to protect
game and fish in forest reserves: ex-
tension of the boundaries of Yellow
stone national park, and legislation
giving the president general author |
ity to set apart as national parks pub |
lie land tracts having scientific or his
toric interest, or containing springs |
OF medicinal properties. 1t is urged, |
also. that the law as to exchange Of |
lands embraced in forest reserves held
by private owners for public lands
not In reservation be changed so as
10 secure an approximation in value
OF the lands relinquished with those
selected in lieu thereof. On October
J last there were 81 forest reserves.
embracing 60,175.765 acres AN increase
of almost 100000 acres since the
last report. During the fiscal year
there were 1868 forest fires discov-
cred. which burned over s7,7g9 acres.
he constantly-decreasing area burned
over Is said to demonstrate the ELI
ciency Of the government forestry
force. The commissioner saws that
me withdrawal and proper policing
OF the forested lands Of the govern
ment during the year has shown the
following results:
]. The work has proved self-sup-
porting.
:. 1T has. in addition. brought in a
revenue To the government.
3. Needed timber S,ipplies have
been placed within lawful reach of
he public.
:. Timber depredations within the
'eserve limits have practically
ceased.
\ little over 100000 acres of land
we're certified and patented to rail
Ways during the year under the land
rants made by congress to aid in
he construction of railroads. During
ne season the interior department
flowed 1.197.0o0 sheep to enter
ight Of the reservations for specified
'eriods, the grazing to be confined
Q specified areas, and 459.l37 head
4 cattle and horses to Craze in 3s OF
he reservations.
Concerning reforestation the re.
ort says: !,
Assuming that the reforestation of J
he denuded areas in the forest re- ;
erves, where sufficient moisture pre-. :
ans to make the termination Of
feds OF the native trees possible.
ilght he expected TO result in good !
me. u the occurrence Of deyaStat- !,
~ fires could be reduced To a mini !
lum ard the grazing 81 stock re- !,
trained within proper limits and re- !,
uced to a safe asis. the forest force !
as been required to make extra ex- !.
rtion TO prevent damage by fire, and
} keep the Office fully informed rela- :.
We to the effects of stock grazing :
nd 10 keep out stock not licensed !.
, enter the reserve, and all the evil 4
snces point to almost unvarying sue :.
$50. =
The forest trees are coming back. J,
ot only where there is plentiful
,infall. and not little hope is
,und in the fact that the native
'ees are reproducing themselves in r,
le drier portions Of the country r,
here the fires are kept out and II
here grazing is restrained within X
'asonablc limits. and many n waste a