Deming graphic. (Deming, N.M.) 1903-1948, 1903-12-16
PRESIDENTS MESSAGE.
few Extracts from the Subjects Of Most Interest to
New Mexico and the West

message in full but we take the following eX.
tracts because they bear directly on the subjects
which are of particular interest to the people OF
the Southwest:
REVISION OF PUBLIC LAND LAWS AND IRRIGATION
Experience has shown that in the western
states themselves, as well as in the rest of the
country; there is widespread conviction that GER
tain of the public land laws and the resulting ad.
miniStrative practice no longer meet the present
needs. The character and uses of the remain
ing public lands which congress had especially in
view when these laws were passed. The rapidly
increasing rate of disposal of the public lands is
mt followed by a corresponding increase in home
building. There is a tendency to mass in large
holdings public lands, especially timber and
grazing lands, and thereby to retard settle
ment. renew and emphazise my recommends
tons of last year that so far as they are UNI
available for agriculture in its broadcast sense,
and to whatever extent they may be reclaimed
under the national irrigation law, the remaining
public lands should be held rgdy for the home
builder The attention of the congress is espe-
cialy direct to the timber and stone law, the de-
sert land law, and the communication clause of the
homestead law, which in their operation have in
many respects conhicted with wise public land
policy. The discussions in the congress and else
where have made it evident that there is wide
divergence of opinion between those holding OPP
poSite views on these subjects and that the OPP
posing sides have strong and convinced repre-
sentativeS of weight both within and without the
congress- the differences being not only as to
matters of opinions but as to matters of fact In
order that definite information may be available
for the use of the congress, | have appointed a
commission composed of W. A. Richards, COM
missioner of the general land office; Clifford Pin
chot. chief of the bureau of forestry of the de-
partment of agriculture, and F. H. Newell, chief
photographer of the geological survey, to report
at the earliest practical moment upon the condi-
ton, operation, and effect of the present land
laws and on the use, condition, disposal and
settlement of the public lands The commission
will report especially what changes in organiza-
tion laws, regulations, and practice affecting the
public lands aYe needed to affect the largest prac-
ticable disposition of the public lands to actual
settlers who will build permanent homes upon
them, and to secure in permanence the fullest
and most effective use of the resources of the pu-
bic lands and it will make such o'her reports
and recommendations as its study Of these queS-
tons may suggest. The commission is to report
Immediately upon those points concerning which
its judgement is clear; on any point upon which
it has doubt it will take the time necessary to
make investigation and reach a final judgment.
IRRIGATION.
The work of reclamation of the arid lands
of the west is progressing steadily and salts
factorily under the terms of the law setting aside
the proceeds from the disposal of public lands
The corps of engineers known as the Reclama.
ton Service; which is conducting the surveys anC
examinations, has been thoroughly organized
especial pains being taken to secure under the
civil service rules body Of skilled experienced
and efficient men. Surveys and examinations are
progressing throughout the arid states and ter
ritories, plans for retaining works being pre-
pared and passed upon by boards of engineer;
before approval by the secretary of the interior
In Arizona and Nevada, in localities where sucl
work is pre-eminenty needed construction ha
been begun. In other part of the arid west va
rious projects are well advanced towards tn,
drawing up contracts, these being delayed ir
part by necessities of reaching agreements or un
derstanding as regards rights of way or acquisi
ton of real escate. Most of the works contem
plated for construction are of national impo-tanc
involving interstate question or the securing O
stable, self-supporting communities in the mids
of vast tracts of vacant land The nation as
wholeis of course the gamer by the creation o
these homes, adding as they do to the wealth an,
stability of the country and furnishing hom
market for the products of the east and south
LII .nA.a.. ln. .I.k.ln ....kn,s III