New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-08
THE PUBLIC LANDS.

for the last fiscal year were SHOP 743 O.. an
increase Of $4.762. SIG AZ over the preceding year
OF this sum. approximately. IS 461, 493 win -,
to the credit Of the fund for the reclamation ~
arid land. making the total Of this fund I'd "a
June 80. 1903. approximately. $1619fs 36
A gratifying disposition has been e-incaF h..
those having unlawful Enclosures Of public Lars
to remove their fences Nearly two million
acres so tnelosed have been thrown open on d.
mand- In but comparatively few cases has h.
been necessary to go into court to accOuDIfsb
this purpose This work will be vigorously pros
ecuted until all unlawful Enclosures have been
removed.
Experience has shown that in the wezta~,
States themselves, as well as in the rest a. tho
country, there Is widespread conviction that car-
tain Of the public land laws and the resrIting
administrative practice no longer meet the Dres-
ent needs. The character and uses OF the -
naming public lands differ widely from tbo4s -
the public lands which Congress had esuacfsrI-,
I, IN view when these laws were passed. The rsB-
ldIy increasing rate or disposal Of the D1bIio
lands is not followed by a corresponding fr
crease in home building. There IS a tendaro-- -
mass in large holdings public lands asnaci.ti,1
timber and grazing lands, and thereby to ra+a-f
settlement / renew and emphasize NV racC-,-
mendaton Of last year. that so far "a they 80
available for agriculture in its broadest sensa
ana 20 Whatever extent they may be Reclaimed
under the national irrigation law. the rernainT-,
public lands should be held rigidly for the ro~oa
builder. The attention Of the Congress "a esna
cially directed to the timber and stone law rbs
desert land law and the Communication cIsl1sa -
the homestead law which IN their ora~s+so-
lie land policy. The discussions IN the Corr
gresS and elsewhere have made it evident ira
there Is a wide divergence Of opinions between
Jhose hoIdlng opposite views on these subjects
and that the opposing sides have strong ana
convinced representatives OF weight both within
and without the Congress, the differences being
not only as 70 matters Of opinion. but as to NAT
tiers OF fact. In order that definite fnforrarfor
may be available for the use Of the Congress
have appointed commission, composed OF W A
Richards, Commissioner of the General LAM
ONCE; Clifford Pinchot chief OF the Bureau or
Forestry OF the Department Of Agriculture, and
:. n NeWeII' chleT hydrographer OF the Geo
logical Survey, to report at the earliest prac-
ttcable moment upon the condition. operation
and effect Of the present land laws and on rha
use, condition, disposal and settlement Of the
public lands The commission viii report espe-
cially what changes in organization. laws, regu-
lat1ons and practice affecting the public lands
are needed to effect the largest practicable dis
position of the public lands to actual settlers
who will build permanent homes upon them. and
to secure IN Dermanence the fullest and most
effective of the resources of the public lands.
and it viii make such other reports and recon-
mendatiOns as its study Of these questions nav
suggest The commission is to report fmmeGi-
ately upon those points concerning which its
Judgment is clear; on any point upon which it
has doubt it viii 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 sa1isfac-
tOrily under the terms Of the law setting aside
the proceeds from the disposal Of public lands
The corps OF engineers, known as the RecIarl7-
ton Service. which is conducting the SURVEYS
and examinations. has been Thoroughly organ
lied, especial pains being taken TO secure under
the CIVL service rules q body or skilled, expert
enced. and efficient men. Surveys and exar7579-
lions are progressing throughout the arid States
and Territories, plans for reciaiming works
being prepared and passed upon by boards o-
engineers before approval by the Secretary Of
the interior. IN Arizona and Nevada. fl To-
Calities where such work is pre-emiDaur.-
needed, construction has already been begun
In other parts of the arid West various projects
al ~
contracts. these being delayed in part IS r--
cessities OF reaching agreements CT understand
ing as regards rights OF way or acquisition of
real estate. Most Of the works contemplated for
construction are of national Importance iu-
volv1ng interstate questions or the securing OF
STABLE SeLI-SuppOrulnS communities IN the InltS
OF vast tracts of vacant land. The nation as q
whole is OF course the gamer BIZ the creation o.
LheSe nOIneSs AIDING as they do 10 the wealth
and stability of the country. and FURNISHING q
home market for the products OF the East and
South. The reclamation law while perhaps MOI
ideal. appears at present to answer the Ia~..er
needs for which it is designed Further IegisLa-
ton is not recommended until the necessities OF
change are more apparent
FOREST PRESERVATION.
The study. OF the opportunities Of reclamation
or the vast extent OF arid land shows that
whether this reclamation is done by in
dividualS corporations the State the
sources of water supply must be effectively
protected and the reservoirs guarded by the
preservation Of the forests at the headwaters
Of the streams The engineers making the pre-
I
this need and urge that the remaining public
lands at the headWaterS of the important
streams Of the West be reserved to insure per
nanency or water supply for irrigation Much
progress in forestry has been made durins, the
past year. The necessity for perpetuating our
forest resources, whether in public or private
hands is recognized now as never before. The
demand for forest reserves has become iusistent
/ in the West, because the West must use the
water, wood and summer range which only
/ such reserves can supply. Progressive lumber
men are striving, through forestry. to give their
business permanence. Other great business in
tereSts are awakening to the need OF forest
preservation as business matter The govern
InenI forest Work should receive from the
/ Congress hearty support. and especially support
/ adequate for the protection Of he forest re-
serve against fire. The forest reserve policy or
/ the government has passed beyond the expert
| mental stage and has reached a condition where
scientific methods are essential to its successful
/ prosecution The administrative features or
/ FOREST reserves are at present unsatisfactory
/ being divided between three bureaus OF two
/ departments. 1t is therefore recommended that
/ all matters pertaining to forest reserve except
/ consolidated in the Bureau OF Forestry OF the
/ Department OF Agriculture
THE COTTON BOIL wEEvIL.
The cotton growing States have recently been
| invaded by a weevil that has done much damages
/ and threatens the entire cotton industry. suG-
| gest to the congress the prompt enactment OF
| such remedial legislation as its Judgment may
/ approve
/ In granting patents to foreigners the proper
| course for this country 10 follow is TO give The
| Same advantages to foreigners here thai he
! countries in which these foreigners dwell
tend in return TO our citizens; that is. to extend
me benefits of our patent laws on inventions and
! the like where in return the articles Would De
/ patentable in the foreign countries concerned
| where an American could set a corresponding
| patent in such countries
INDIAN AFFAIRS.