The Washington times., 1903-01-03
RADICAL REFORMS IN
LAND GRANTS NEEDED
Mr.. WheIpley Tells Scientists That Five-Year Resi-
dence and Cultivation Should Be Required

\ number OF important addresses on
Government lands and timber protec-
ton were made yesterday afternoon at
the closing session of the section on so
cial and economic science of the Ameri-
can Association for the Advancement of
Science.
J. D. WheIpIey. Of this city, spoke at
length upon the value of the remaining
public lands of the United States, and
the need Of conserving them for use OF
homesteaders instead Of speculatCTs-
The Land Office Of the United States"
he SAID. has had under its control fo1
disposal under such laws as have pre-
vailed from time 10 time an area prob
ably amounting to about 100000, 900
acres Of land About 1000 600. 600 acres
Of it have passed from Government TO
private ownership. About SOC 600 600
acres remain subject to the law of Con
gTess.
Blind TO Defects.
THE economic value of the 1000, 600
coo acres which have already been dis
posed OF has been fully demonstrated.
The world power of the United States as
a nation has become great in direct "a
ito to the development of the natural re-
sources OF the public lands. The tremen-
dous increase in wealth resulting from
The rapid settlement of the 1.000 Gee 600
acres OF public land has blinded the peo-
pie OF this country 10 the serious defects
which have existed in the laws govern
ing the disposal of the same.
600 remaining are suitable to profitable
and comfortable occupation by American
citizens under existing economic. physf-
cal, and social conditions. It is now
generally recognized that it is of su-
preme Importance that the Government
should inteuigentIy conserve the posi-
bic economic values Of that area of tha
United States which is still included
within the limits OF the public domain
Room is needed for more population
more raw material is necessary 10 mains
tain our manufacturing industries and
one homesteader and his family settled
happily upon 100 acres Of carefully titled
land is worth more to the Industrial
commercial. transportation. and social
interests of the country than the non
aesident ownership of range industry
covering many thousand acres.
Radical Change Needed.
Every Secretary of the Interior for
twenty-five years past has recommend
ed a curtaiIment Of the land privilege.
Congress has responded in some degree
to this demand, but there is immediate
need Of radical changes in the laws now
upon the statute books Not another
acre of the public lands should be sold
for cash or its equivalent Residence and
cultivation should be required before
title can be obtained, and this residence
ssas cultivation should be at least five
years, so as To insure a permanent and
not Speculative interest in the holding.
The desert land law and the commuJa-
ton clause of the homestead act should
be repealed, for while there may be $50
lated cases produced in evidence Of the
alleged beneficial character Of these Avs
vast majority Of the land acquired
under these filings is for other than the
legitimate purpose Of settlement, occu-
patton and general development Of the
country
In 1892 about 20,o00.000 acres were
taken from the public domain under the
various laws now on the statute books.
Il is estimated that there viii be nearly
100000 acres appropriated in 1903 In
1901 there were but 16. 000 coo, and yet at
that time that figure was considered
enormous and alarming. Those who are
building up large land holdings in the
West realize that public sentiment is
aroused, and they are crowding in every
direction to secure title TO as much land
as possible before Congress takes this
matter q hand.
Land Skimming-
The cream Of the peoples land is be
ing skinned each year, and with less