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

+ s ~ & b.
say. that their steady progress has been
such as to make it unnecessary to spend
much time in discussing them. Yet the
congress should ever keep in mind that
further in every way the welfare Of
these communities. The Philippines
should be knit closer to us by tariff ar
possible suddenly to raise the people Of
the islands to the high pitch of Industrial
prosperity and Of governmental efficiency
attain: and the caution and moderation
shown In developing them have been
among the main reasons why this devel-
care as 50 tsRe% IN
the choice of governmental agents, and
the entire elimination of partisan politics
from the public, service. The condition.
better than ever before, while their gov
ernmental. Intellectual and moral ad-
/ vance has kept pace with their material
another people more than we have bene-
flied the Fflipinos by taking possession
of the islands.
The Public Lands.
a 1aoI gratifying TT disposition has been
Closures 81 pubiic land aSn 70 remove their
fences Nearly 100000 acres so in
closed have been thrown open on demand;
complish this purpose. This work will be
vigorously prosecuted until all unlawful
Enclosures have been removed.
Experience has shown that in the west
ern, states themselves. as we'll as in the
rest of the country. there is widespread
conyictioa that hat certain Of the public land
The character and uses OF the remaining
public lands differ widely from those Of,
passed. The: rapidly increasing rate Of
disposal Of the public lands is not fol-
home building. There is a tendency to
mass in large holdings public lands. es-
psecially timber be1o: and grazing lands: and
and emphasize my recommendation of
last year that SO far as they are available
for agriculture In its broadest sense. and
claimed under the national irrigation law,
| the remaining public lands should be held
rigidly. for the home builder. The atten-
ed to the, timber and stone law. the
desert-land law. and the Communication
clause of the homestead law. which in
contiicted with wise public land policy
The discussions in the congress and else
where have made 1t evident that there is
those holding opposite views on these
| subjects: and that the opposing sides
have strong and convinced representa-
t1ves 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 composed of W. A. Richards,
CLIFFORD Pinchot. chief of the bureau Of
ture, and F. H. Neweli. Chief hydrogra-
pher of the geological survey, to report
| at the earliest practicable moment upon
! the condition. operation and effect Of the
present
dition, disposal and settlement of the
public lands. The commission will report
| 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
| reports and recommendations as Its
| study Of these questions may suggest
| The commission IS to report immediate
| ~ upon those points concerning which
Which It has doubt !; wi % lake the a t@e
reach 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-
pecia! pains being taken to secure under
the civil service rules a body of skilled, ex-
examinations are progressing throughout
| the arid states and territories. plans for
retaining works being prepared and
passed upon by boards Of engineers before
approval by the secretary Of the interior.
In Arizona and Nevada, in localities where
such work is prominently needed, con-
parts Of the arid west various projects are
| we'll advanced towards the drawing I'D of
contracts, these being delayed in part by
9 9ecst ii OF reaching agreements or I'm
| acquisition of real estate. Most of the
works contemplated for construction are
on Of national Importance, involving inter
self-supporting communities in the midst
| OF vast tracts Of vacant land. The nation
as whole Is Of course the gamer BY the
TO the wealth and stability of the country,
and furnishing home market for the
products of the east and south. The re-
olamation law. while perhaps not ideal,
appears at present to answer the larger
needs for which it is designed. Further
legislation Is not recommended until the
necessities OF change are more apparent
The Civil Service.
| During the year ended June 30 last q. 5ss
persons were appointed through competio
tive examinations under the civil service
rules. This was 1852 more than during the
passed shs @ Ssn f n ab
normal growth was largely occasioned by
the extension of classification to the rural
free delivery service and the appointment
vision Of the civil service rules took effect
on April IS last which has greatly i'm
proved their operation. The completion Of
by good citizens everywheresas matter
Of the highest public Importance, and the
success . Of the merit system largely depends
and the machinery provided for their
enforcement. A very gratifying spirit
Of friendly cooperation exists in all
enforcement and uniform observance Of
both the letter and spirit Of the civil serv-
Ice act; Executive orders Of July s, 1902;
appointments Of ali unciassified iaborers
and in the field service, shall be made with
service commission, under system Of
registration to test the relative fitness of
applicants for appointment or employment
czeea f and Is psg
IN respect to age. physical ability, moral
cnaracte 1 industry and adaptahility for
manual nrano lahnor; except that IN case Of vet
distinct from the classified service and does
the ev act IT and rules
lations In aid thereof have been put in
operation 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 Embarrassing the number
OF unnecessary positions and by increasing
the emciency of the employees remaining.
The Army and Navy.
The effect of the laws providing gen
!eral stan 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 Q0nf effect NJ fhoaa rnonouvoru rDon