Willmar tribune. [volume] (Willmar, Minn.) 1895-1931, 1903-12-09

say that their steady progress has been
such as to make it unnecessary to spend
much time in discussing them. Yet the
peculiar obligation rests upon US to
further in every way the welfare OF
these communities. The Philippines
rangements: 1t would. of course. be i'm.
| possible suddenly to raise the people of
the islands to the high pitch of industrial
to Which they will in the end by degrees
attain; and the caution and moderation
shown in developing them have been
| opment has hitherto gone so smooth
~. ScruDulous care has been taken In
| the choice of governmental agents, and
from the public service The condition
of the islanders is in material things far
better than ever before. while their gov
vance has kept pace with their material
advance. No one people ever benefited
| another people more than we have bene-
! fitted the Filipinos by taking possession
| of the islands.
The Public Lands.
! eyinced by those having unlawful in
q p%bs Land to their
closed have been thrown open on demand.
In but comparatively few cases has it
been necessary to go into court to- ac-
vigorously prosecuted until all unlawful
| Enclosures have been removed.
Experience has shown that in the west
rest of the country, there is widespread
conviction that certain of the public land
laws and the resulting administrative
The character and uses of the remaining
public lands differ widely from those Of
the. public lands which congress had es-'
passed. The. rapidly increasing rate of
disposal Of the public lands is not fol-
lowed by, 9, corresponding increase in
mass in large holdings public lands, es-
pecially timber and grazing lands. and
thereby to retard settlement. renew
last year that SO far as they are available
for agriculture in its broadcast sense, and
to whatever extent they may be re-
! the remaining public lands should be held
rigidly for the home builder. The atten-
ton of the congress is especially direct
desert-land law. and the Communication
clause of the homestead law which in
their operation have in many respects
contlicted with wise public-land policy.
The discussions in the congress and else
where have made it evident that there is
a wide. divergence of opinions between
subjects: and that the opposing sides
have strong and convinced representa-
tives of weight both within and without
only as to matters of opinion but as to
matters of fact In order that definite
information may be available for the use
mission e COMPOSED Of W. pp a. Rehapds
commissioner of the general land office:
Clifford Pinchot. chief of the bureau Of
ture and r. H. Newell. chief hydrogra-
pher of the geological survey. to report
| at the earliest practicable moment upon
the condition, operation and effect Of the
present land laws and on the use. con-
| dttion, disposal and settlement of the
| public lands. The commission will report
| especially what changes in organization,
| laws, regulations and practice affecting
| the public lands are needed to effect the
largest practicable disposition of the pub
lie lands to actual settlers who will build
permanent homes upon them. and to Sc
cure in permanence the fullest and most
| effective use of the resources of the pub
lie lands: and it will make such other
study of these questions may suggest
The commission is to report immediate
~ upon those points concerning which
which it has doubt it will take the time
reach a final Judgment.
Progress of Irrigation.
The work of reclamation of the arid lands
OF the west is progressing steadily and sat-
isfactor!ly under the terms OF the law set
ting aside the proceeds from the disposal
OF public lands The corps of engineers
known as the reclamation service. which
Is conducting the surveys and examina-
lions, has been thoroughly organized, es-
pecla! pains being taken to secure under
the civil service rules body of skilled, ex-
perienced and efficient men. Surveys and
examinations are progressing throughout
the arid states and territories, plans for
Retaining works being prepared and
approval by the secretary Of the interior.
In Arizona and Nevada in localities where
such work is prominently needed, con-
struction has already been begun. In other
parts OF the arid west various projects are
we'll advanced towards the drawing up Of
contracts, these being delayed in part by
Outstanding as regards rights of way or
acquisition of real estate. Most of the
works contemplated for construction are
OF national Importance, involving inter-
state questions or the securing Of stable,
self-supporting communities in the midst
OF vast tracts of vacant land. The nation
as whole Is of course the gamer by the
creation of these homes, adding as they do
to the wealth and stability of the country,
and furnishing home market for the
olamation law. while perhaps not ideal.
appears at present to answer the larger
needs for which it is designed. Further
necessities OF change are more apparent.
The Civil Service.
During the year ended June 80 last o. 566
persons were appointed through competi-
tive examinations under the civil service
rules. This was 1852 more than during the
preceding year, and 40 per cent of those
who passed the examinations. This ab-
normal growth was largely occasioned by
free delivery service and the appointment
last year of over 5000 rural carriers. A re-
vision Of the civil service rules took effect
on April IS last which has greatly i'm
proved their operation The completion OF
the reform of the civil service is recognized
by good citizens everywhere as matter
success of the merit system largely depends
upon the effectiveness of the rules
OF TenSV ysty srat H, spirit
the departments of the government in the
enforcement and uniform observance OF
both the letter and spirit of the civil sery-
Ice act Executive orders Of July 3, 1902;
March 26. 19o3 and July 8, 1903, require that
appointments of all unclassihed laborers,
and in the field service. shall be made with
the assistance. of the United States civil
service commission. under a system Of
registration to test the relative fitness of
applicants for appointment or employment
This system Is competitive. and Is open to
all citizens of the United States qualified
IN IN respect to age. physical ability, moral
character. industry and adaptahiltty for
manual labor; except that in case Of vet
Grams Of the civil war the element of age is
omitted. This system of appointment is
distinct from the classified service and does
not classify positions Of mere laborer un-
ger the civil service act and rules. Regu-
lat1ons In aid thereof have been put In
| oPSidtlot IN several OF the departments
and are being gradually extended in other
parts of the service. The results have
peen very, satisfactory. as extravaganza
has been checked by decreasing the number
OF unnecessary positions and by increasing
the efficiency of the employees remaining.
The Army and Navy.
The effect of the laws providing gen
eral staff for the army and for the more
| effective use Of the national guard has
been excellent. Great Improvement has
been made in the efficiency of our army
in recent years. Such schools as those
erected at Fort Leavenworth and Fort
Riley and the institution of fall maneuver
work accomplish satisfactory results.
| The good effect of these nanenxers unnn