The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-08
PUBLIC LANDS, FORESTS
AND IRRIGATION.
Revision Of Laws Necessary-Work Of
Reclafmfng the Arid Regions
Preservation of the Woods.

The cash receipts OF the General Land
Office for the last fiscal year were sI1,o24,-
1885. an increase of s4.762,Sl67 over the
preceding year. OF this sum. approxi-
mately, S, 461. 4ss will go to the credit of the
fund for the reclamation OF arid land, max
ing the total of this fund. up to the soth OF
June, 1903. approximately. sl6.l9l, sss
A gratifying disposition has been evinced
by those having unlawful Enclosures OF
public land to remove their fences. Nearly
100000 acres so inclosed have been thrown
open on demand. In but comparatively few
cases has 1t been necessary to go into court
to accomplish this purpose This work will
be vigorously prosecuted until all unlawful
Enclosures have been removed
Experience has shown that in the western
States themselves. as well as in the rest OF
the country. there is widespread conviction
that certain of the public land laws and
the resulting administrative practice no
longer meet the present needs The char
acter and uses of the remaining public
lands differ widely from those of the pub
lie lands which Congress had especially In
view when these laws were passed. Tho
rapidly increasing rate of disposal of the
public lands is not followed by a corre-
spending increase in home building. There
is a tendency to mass i'm large holdings
public lands especially timber and grazing
lands, and thereby TO retard settlement.
renew and emphasize my recommendation
OF last year that so far as they are avail
able for agriculture in its broadcast sense.
and TO whatever extent they may be re-
claimed under the national irrigation law.
the remaining public lands should be held
rigidly for the home builder. The attention
OF the Congress is especially directed TO the
timber and stone law, the desert land law
and the Communication clause of the home
stead law, which I'm their operation have in
many respects confiictedk With wise public
land policy. The discussions i'm the Con-
gress and elsewhere have made IL evident
that there Is a wide divergence OF opinions
between those holding opposite views on
these subjects, and that the opposing sides
have strong and convinced representatives
of weight both within and without the Con-
gress the differences being not only as TO
matters of opinion, but to matters or
fact.
In order that definite information may be
a haye Appointed Commission ss COMPOSED OF
w. A. Richards, commissioner OF the Cen
eral Land Office: Clifford Pinchot, chief OF
the Bureau or Forestry OF the Department
of Agriculture, and Il. III. Newell, CHIEF
photographer of the geological survey, 10 re-
port at the earliest practicable moment
upon the condition, operation and effect or
the present land laws and on the use. con-
dftion, disposal and settlement Of the pub
lie lands The commission will report es-
pecially what changes in organization. laws.
regulations and practice affecting the pub
lie lands are needed to effect the largest
practicable disposition of the public lands to
actual settlers who Will build permanent
homes upon them, ana 10 secure IN ptfma-
nence the fullest and most effective use OF
the resources OF the public lands; and 10
will make such other reports and recon-
mendations as its study of these questions
may suggest. The commission is To report
Immediately upon those points concerning
which its judgment is clear; on any point
upon which IL has doubt IL will take the
time necessary 10 make investigation and
reach final judgment.
Reclamation Of Arid Lands.
The work OF reclamation Of the arid lands
of the West is progressing steadily and
satisfactorily under the terms OF the law
setting aside the proceeds from the disposal
of public lands. The corps OF engineers
known as the reclamation service. which Is
conducting the surveys and examinations
has been thoroughly organized. especial
mains being taken 10 secure under the civil
service rules a body OF skilled. experienced
and efficient men. Surveys and examina'
lions are progressing throughout the arid
States and Territories, plans for reclaimine
works being prepared AID passed upon by
boards OF engineers before approval by the
secretary OF the interior. In Arizona and
Nevada, I'm localities Which such work IL
pre-eminently needed construction has al
ready been begun. In other parts OF the
arid West various projects are we'll adj
vanced towards the drawing up OF con-
tracts, these being DELAYED In part by ne
| cessities OF reaching agreements or under
standing as regards rights OF way OF ac'
! ouisition OF real estate Most OF the work.
| contemplated for construction are OF ma
questions or the securing or stable. SELF