The Washington times., 1903-12-14
LAND FRAUDS NEED
FURTHER LEGISLATION

and every clue to wrongdoing has
been quietly followed to it's source,
with the result that it is the confident
belief of those in charge of the inquiry
that the guilty parties Will be appre-
hended and speedily brought to justice.
1T has been my determination from
the beginning that the matter should be
probed to the bottom regardless of the
apparent influential character of some
of the men involved, and the inquiry has
been conducted throughout along these
lines. The work is now nearing compile
tion, and the whole matter will at an
early date be in shape for definite and
appropriate action against the offenders.
No Congressman Involved
While several hundred thousand
acres OF public lands are involved in the
illegal transactions brought to light the
number of acres to which patents have
been obtained by the perpetrators of
the frauds is comparatively small II is
proper TO say also that some of the
statments in regard to the matter have
recently appeared in newspapers. both
in the East and in the West are more
or less exaggerated and others arc mere
Surmises. The statements widely circu-
lated to the effect that five United States
Senators and large number of Repre-
sentatives were implicated, and that the
lands Involved would reach in value
Sl5,eo 600 or $4,000. 900. are without foun-
dation in fact. II can be positively
stated that they did not originate in this
department. The details and results OF
the investigation are known only to q
few, and sensational stories based upon
statements which have heretofore ap-
peared I'm the press must be received
with due allowance
At the proper time a full statement
viii be made covering the results Of the
entire investigation. and the whole mat
ter will be given TO the public; but for
obvious reasons it is not deemed expe-
dent that detailed statement of the
facts should be given at the present
time.
THE work of the investigation has
been conducted by Arthur B. Pugh. as
sistant attorney in this department. and
William J. Burns. of the Secret Service
OF the Treasury Department. Mr. Burns
was called into the case last May. and
since that time has had entire charge
of the Secret Service features of the
work while Mr. Pugh has attended to its
eigal phases. 1 am highly gratified with
the efficient services rendered by these
officers in this matter.
Irrigation Works.
BY act of Congress approve = IuIy II.
1902, provision was made for the con-
struction OF irrigation works FOR the
reclamation of arid and serni-arid lands
of the Western States Thereafter a
reclamation service was organized. sur
veys made, and various projects consid-
cred. A contract has been let for the
construction of diversion works in the
Truckee River, Nevada, and also a canal
To carry waters TO a reservoir on the
Carson River. Investigations in connec-
ton with other projects are rapidly ap-
preaching the point where contracts can
be let for their construction. 4 detailed
report of the results Of the reclamation
work as herein outlined will be submit
ted TO Congress, as required by the pro-
visions Of section of the act above
mentioned.
Two additional forest reservations
have been established and two reserves
have been slightly reduced in area The
management of these reservations dur
ing the year has been satisfactory I
am OF the opinion. however, that the
transfer OF this service to the Agricul-
tural Department would be productive
Of better administrative results.
Admission Of Territories.
AS to the question of admitting the
Territories of Arizona. Oklahoma and
New Mexico into the Union. Mr. Hitch
cock M kes no recommendation. After
recitiEs the urgent plea Of Governor
Brcc'c of Arizona in his report. he says:
Til question Of the admission OF the
Territory as a State is one wholly with
in the jurisdiction Of Congress, and this
department can do no more than direct
your attention to the views of the gov
ernor in the matter"
As to Hawaii. Secretary Hitchcock
says:
"A review of the extended and inter
esting annual report of the governor Of
the Territory of Hawaii. Hon. Sanford
b. Dole. presents some valuable infor-
nation as TO the progress. development.
and present status of the Territory.
with recommendations as to further
measures of administrative policy.
School children of the Hawaiian.
Portuguese. japanese. and Chinese races
number 1929. being an increase Of as
over the previous year The school
children OF European descent other thnn
Portuguese. and OF American descent
other than Porto Rican. number 1905.
an increase Of eighteen over the pre-
vious year.
"Intermarriages are frequent between
Hawaiian women and white men. and
the offspring of such marriages are an
Improvement in thrift and enterprises
over the pure Hawaiian"