Albuquerque weekly citizen. (Albuquerque, N.M.) 1891-19??, 1903-12-12
mOGheP'S
;; :: y; !. Friend

civil service rules n body of skilled.
experienced. and efficient men. Sur.
veys and examinations are progress
ing Throughout the arid states and ter.
ritor.es. plans for retaining works
being prepared and passed upon by
boards OF engineers before approval
by the secretary OF the interior. In
Arizona ana Nevada in localities
where such work IL prominently
needed, construction has already been
begun. In other parts OF the arid west
various projects are well advanced to-
wards 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
interstate questions or the securing OF
stable, self supporting communities In
the midst of vast tracts or vacant
land. The nation as whole Is OF
course the gamer by the Grafton 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 IL IL de-
signed. Further legislation il not rec
commended until the necessities of
change are more apparent
Preservation of Forests.
The study of the opportunities of re-
clamation of the vast extent OF arid
land shows that whether this recla.
nation Is done by individuals. corpor-
atoms. or the state, the sources of wa
ter supply must be effectively protect
ed and the reservoirs guarded by the
preservation of the forests at the head
waters of the important streams OF
the west be reserved to insure perma-
nency OF water supply for irrigation.
Much progress in forestry has been
made during the past year. The neces-
sity OF perpetdating our forest re-
sources. whether In public or private
hands. IL recognized now as never be-
fore. 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. Progress
I've lumbermen are STRIVING, through
forestry, to give their business perma-
nance. Other great business interests
are awakening to the need OF forest
preservation as a business matter.
The governments forest work should
receive from the congress hearty sup
port, and especially support adequate
for the protection Of the forest re.
serves against fire. The forest re-
serve policy OF the government has
passed beyond the experimental stage
and has reached condition where
scientific methods are essential TO its
successful prosecution. The admins
trative features OF forest reserves are
at present unsatisfactory, being d..
vided between three bureaus OF two
departments. II Is therefore recon.
mended that all matters pertaining to
forest reserves, except those involving
or pertaining TO land titles, be consoh-
dated In the bureau OF forestry OF the
department OF agriculture.
Cotton WeevlI.
The cotton growing states have re.
Gently been invaded by weevil that
has done much damage and threatens
the entire cotton industry suggest
tt the congress the prompt enactment
OF such remedial legislation as It's
judgment may approve.
Patents to Foreigners.
In granting patents to foreigners
the proper course for this country 10
follow Is TO give tho same advanta ges
to foreigners here that the countries
n which these foreigners dwell ex-
tend 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 pat.
entable in the foreign countries con.
cerned-where an American could
get a corresponding patent In such
countries.
Indian Affairs.
The Indian agents should not be
dependent for their appointment or
tenure OF Office upon considerations OF
partisan politics: the practice OF ap.
pointins, when possible, ex-army Of
hcers or bonded uperintendents 10
the vacancies that occur Is working
well. Attention is Invited to the wide
spread illiteracy due TO Jack OF public
schools in he indian Territory.
Prompt heed should be paid TO the
need OF education for the children in
this territory.
Safety Appliance Law.
In my last annual message the at.
tention OF the congress was called to
the necessity OF enlarglng the safety
appliance law. and 1t is gratifying TO
note that this law was amended IN
important respects. With the increas-
ing railway mileage OF the country,
the greater number OF men employed.
and the use II larger and heavier
pnulnmapt the urppnpv for rauawad
effort to prevent the loss OF life and
limb upon the railroads of the coun-
try, particularly TO employees. Is ap-
parent For the inspection OF water
craft and the lie saving service upon
the water the congress has built up
an elaborate tody OF protective legis-
islation and thorough method OF
inspection and is annually spending
large sums OF money. II is encourag-
ing 10 observe that the congress Is
arve h. the interests OF those who are
cmr,oyed upon our wonderful arter.