The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1903-12-07

permanent MONIES upon them, ana 10
secure in permanence the fullest and
most effective use of the resources of
the public lands; and 1t will make such
other reports and recommendations as
its study of these questions may sug-
gest The commission Is to report inn
mediately upon those points concerning
which its judgment is clear; on any
point upon which it has doubt it will
take the time necessary to make in
vestigation and reach a final judgment.
ARID LANDS OF THE WEST.
Work of Reclamation Is Progressing
Satisfactorily.
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 sur
'veys and examinations, has been thor
oughly organized, especial pains being
taken to secure under the civil service
rules a body of skilled, experienced and
efficient men. Surveys and examind-
lions are progressing throughout the
arid states and territories, plans for re-
claiming works being prepared and
passed upon by boards of engineers be-
fore approval by the secretary of the
interior. In Arizona and Nevada, in To-
calities where such work is preeminent-
ly needed, construction has already
been begun. In other parts of the arid
west various projects are well advance
ed towards the drawing up of contracts,
these being delayed in part by necessi-
ties of reaching agreements or under
standing as regards rights of way or
acquisition of real estate. Most of the
works contemplated for construction
are of national Importance, involving
intersta questions or the securing of
stable, self-supporting communities In
the midst of vast tracts of vacant
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 prod
ucts of the east and south. The re-
clamatiOn 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 APP
parent.
Preservation of Forests.
The study of the opportunities of re-
clamation of the vast extent of arid
land shows that whether this re-
clamation is done by individuals. cor
portions, or the state, the source of wa
ter supply must be effectively protected
and the reservoirs guarded by the pre-
Servation of the forests at the head
waters of the streams The engineers
making the preliminary examinations
continually emphasize this need and
urge that the remaining public lands at
the headwaterS of the important
streams of the west be reserved to in
sure permanency of water supply for
irrigation. Much progress in forestry
has been made during the past year.
The necessity for perpetuating our for
est resources, whether in public or prl-
vate hands, is recognized now as never
before. The demand for forest reserves
has become insistent in the west, be-
cause the west must use the water.
wood, and summer range which only
such reserves can supply. Progressive
1umbermen are striving, through fores-
try, to give their business permanence.
Other great business interests are
awakening to the need of forest preser-
walton as a business matter. The gov
ernment'S forest work should receive
from the congress hearty support, and
especially support adequate for the pro-
lection of the forest reserves against
fire. The forest-reserve policy of the
government has passed beyond the ex-
perimental stage and has reached
condition where scientific methods are
essential to it's successful prosecution.
The administrative features of forest
reserves are at present unsatisfactory,
being divided between three bureaus of
two departments. 1t is therefore rec
commended that all matters pertaining
to forest reserves, except those involv~
ing or pertaining to land titles, be con-
solidated in the bureau of forestry of
the department of agriculture.
Cotton Weevil.
The ton-growing states have re-
Gently been invaded by weevil that
has done much damage and threatens
the entire cotton industry. l suggest
to the congress the prompt enactment
of such remedial legislation as its 1udg-
ment may approve.
In granting patents to foreigners the
proper course for this country to fol-
low is to give the same advantages to
foreigners here that the countries in
which these foreigners dwell extend
in return to our citizens; that is, to
extend the benefits of our patent laws
on inventions and the like where in
return the articles would be patentable
in the foreign countries concerned
where an American could get a CORE
spending patent in such countries.
The Indian agents should not be de-
pendent for their appointment or ten
ure of office upon considerations of
partisan politics; the practice of ap-
pointing, when possible. ex-army Off
GERS or bonded superintendent to the
vacancies that occur is working well.
Attention is invited to the widespread
illiteracy due to lack of public schools
in the Indian Territory. Prompt heed
should be paid to the need of educa-
ton for the children in this territory.
Self-Appliance Law.
In my last annual message the atten-
ton of the congress was called to the
necessity of charging the safety-ap-
pliance law, and it is gratifying to note
that this law was amended In import
ant respects. With the increasing rail-
way mileage Of the country, the greater
number of men employed, and the use
of larger and heavier equipment, the
urgency for renewed effort to prevent
the loss of life and limb upon the rail-
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