Gilpin observer., 1903-12-10

fling jnterstate questions or the securing
of stable, self-supporting communities In
the midst of vast tracts of vacant land.
The Nation as whole is of course the
gamer by, the creation of these homes,
adding. as they do to the wealth and sta
bility CT the country. and furnishing a
home market for the products of the East
ana 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 rec
commended until the necessities of change
are more apparent. s-.s
Preservation Of Forests.
The study Of the opportunities Of rec
lamation of the vast extent of arid land
shows that whether this reclamation is
done by individuals. corporations. or the
State. the sources OF water supply must
be effectively protected and the reser-
voirs guarded by the preservation of the
forests at the headwaters 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 ir-
rigation. Much progress in forestry has
been made during the past year. The
necessity for perpetuating our forest re-
sources. whether in public or private
hands. Is recognized now as never before.
The demand for forest reserves has be-
come insistent in the West. because the
West must use the water, wood and
summer range which only such reserves
can supply Progressive lumbermen are
striving. through forestry. to give their
business permanence. Other great hlsi-
ness interests are awakening to the need
OF forest preservation as business mat
ter The Governments forest work
should receive from the Congress hearty
support, and especially support adequate
Tor the protection OF the forest reserves
against fire. The forest-reserve policy
of the Government has passed beyond
the experimental stage and has reached
condition where scientific methods are
essential to its successful prosecution.
The administrative features OF forest re-
serves are at present unsatisfactory, be-
Ing divided between three Bureaus of
two Departments. 1t Is therefore recon-
forest reserves. except those involving
pertaining to land titles. be consolidated
In the Bureau OF Forestry OF the Depart
ment Of Agriculture.
Cotton Weevii.
The cotton growing States have re-
Gently been invaded by n weevil that has
done much damage and threatens the
entire cotton industry. I suggest TO the
Congress the prompt enactment OF such
remedial legislation as Its judgment may
approve.
Patents to Foreigners.
In granting patents to foreigners the
proper course for this country to follow
Is to give the same advantages to for
eigners here that the countries in which
these foreigners dwell extend in return
TO our citizens; that is. to extend the
Dement'S OF our patent laws on inventions
and the like where in return the articles
would be patentable in the foreign coun-
tries concerned-where an American
could get corresponding patent in such
countries.
Indian Affairs.
The Indian agents should not be de-
pendent for their appointment or tenure
OF office upon considerations of partisan
politics; the practice OF appointing. when
possible. ex-army officers or bonded su-
perintendents to the vacancies that oc-
cur Is working well. Attention is invit-
ed to the widespread iliteracy due to
lack OF public schools in the Indian Ter
ritory. Prompt heed should be paid to
the need Of education for the children in
this Territory.
safety-Applianee Law.
In my last annual message the atten-
tion of the Congress was called to the
necessity Of enlarging the safety appliance
law. and II Is gratifying to note that this
law was amended In important respects
With the increasing railway mileage of
the country. the greater number of men
employed. and the use of larger and
heavier equipment. the urgency for re-
newed effort to prevent the loss of life
ana limb upon the railroads OF the coun-
Try. particularly to employees. is apparent.
for the inspection of water craft and
the Life-Saving Service upon the water
the Congress has built up an elaborate
body of protective legislation and
thorough method of inspection and Is an
nually spending large sums OF money. 1t
Is encouraging to observe that the Con-
gress Is alive to the interests of those
who are employed upon our wonderful
arteries OF commerce-the railroads-who
SO safely transport millions Of passen-
gers and billions Of tons of freight The
Federal inspection Of safety appliances.
Tor which the Congress is now making
appropriations. Is n service analogous to
that which the Government has upheld
for generations In regard to vessels, and
II Is believed will prove Of great practical
beneft. both to railroad employees and
the travelling public. As the greater part
OF commerce Is interstate and exclusively
under the control OF the Congress the
needed safety and uniformity must be se-
cured by national legislation.
Pensions.
No other class OF our citizens deserves
SO well OF the nation those to whom
the nation owes its very being the vet
Grams OF the civil war. Special attention
IL asked to the excellent work of the
PENSION Bureau In expediting and dispos-
Ing OF pension claims. During the fiscal
year ending July l. 1908. the Bureau set
tied 2ol.ss2 claims. an average of SOS
claims for each working day OF the year.
The number of settlements since July
i. 1903 has been in excess of last years
average. approaching 1000 claims for each
working day, and It Is believed that the
work of the Bureau will be current at
the close Of the present fiscal year.
Extension Of Civil-ServIce Rules.
During the year ended June 80 last
competitive examinations under the civil
service rules. This was 1852 more than
during the preceding year. and 40 per cent
OF those who passed the examinations.
This abnormal growth was largely occa-
stoned by the extension OF classification
to the rural free-delivery service and the
appointment last year Of over 5000 rural
carriers. A revision OF the civil service