Corvallis gazette. [volume] (Corvallis, Benton County, Or.) 1900-1909, 1903-12-11
PUBLIC LANDS.
Necessity for Revision Of the Laws Is
Pointed Out.


Pointed Out.
The cash receipts of the General Land
Office for the last fiscal year we're
| over the preceding year. OF this sum.
approximately, $S,461. .493 will go to the
credit Of the fund for the reclamation
of arie land, making the total Of this
fund, up to the 30th of June, 1903. ap-
proximately. $16, 1886.
A gratifying disposition has been
evinced by those having unlawful inc'os-
ures Of public land to remove their fences.
Nearly 100000 acres SO inclosed have heen
thrown open on demand. In but COM
para lively few cases has it been nece s.
say to go into court to accomplish tn's
purpose This work will be vigorously
prosecuted until all unlawful inclosurCs
have been removed.
Experience has shown that in the West-
ern States themselves, as well as in the
rest Of the country, there is widespread
conviction that certain of the public. and
laws and the resulting administrative
prs ctice no longer meet the present Eeeos.
The character and uses of the remaining
public lands differ widely from those of
the public lands which the Congress had
especially in view when these laws were
passed The rapidly increasing rate Of
disposal of the public lands Is not fol-
lowed by corresponding increase in
home building. There is a tendency to
mass in large holdings public lands, cs-
pecially timber and grazing lands, and
thereby to retard settlement. I renew and
emphasize my recommendation of laSt
year that so far as they are available fer
agriculture in its broadest sense, anI to
whatever extent they may be reclaimed
urder the national irrigation .aw, the re-
naming public lands should be held
rigidly for the home-builder. The atten-
ton of the Congress is especially directed
to the timber and stone law, the desert
and the communication clause
of the homestead law, which in their oper-
alton have in many respects conhicted
with wise public-land policy. The Discus
sions in the Congress and elsewhere have
made. it evident that there is a wide d.
vergence of opinions between those hoic-
ing opposite views on these subjects; and
that the opposing sides have strong and
convinced representatives of weight beth
within and without the Congress-; the diff
ferences being not only as to matters of
opinion, but as to matters of fact
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 pains being taken to
secure under the civil service rules a
body of skilled, experienced and efficient
men. Surveys and examinations are
progressing throughout the arid states and
territories, plans for retaining works be-
ing prepared and passed upon by boards
of engineers before approved by the Sec
retary of the Interior. In Arizona and
Nevada, in localities where such work is
-eminently needed, construction has al
ready been begun. In other parts of the
arid West various projects are well ad
vanced towards the drawing up of con-
tracts, these being delayed in part by
necessities of reaching agreements or un-
derstanding 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,
supporting communities in the midst
of vast tracts of vacant land. The Nation
as a 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 products of the East and South.
The reclamation 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