The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1903-12-08

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 stability of the country,
and furnishing home market for the pro-
ducts OF the East and South. The reclama-
at present to answer the larger needs Tor
which II Is designed. Further legislation
Is not recommended until the necessities OF
cnange are more apparent.
Preservation of Forests.
The study of the opportunities of recla-
nation 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 reservoirs
guarded by the preservation OF the forests
at the headwaters of the streams. The en-
gineers making the preliminary examina-
tons continually emphasize this need and
urge that the remaining public lands at the
headWaters of the important streams or the
West be reserved 10 insure pernanency OF
water supply for irrigation. Much progress
In forestry has been made during the past
year. The necessity for perpetuating our
forest resources, whether in public or pri-
vate hands, is recognized now as never be-
fore The demand for forest reserves has
become insistent in the West, because the
West must the water, wood and sum-
mer range which only such reserves can
ing, through forestry, TO give their business
permanence- Other great business inter-
ests are awakening to the need OF forest
preservation as a business matter. me
governments forest work should receive
from the Congress hearty support, and es-
pecially support adequate for the protec-
ton of the forest reserves against fire. The
forest-reserve policy of the government has
passed beyond the experimental stage and
has reached a condition where scientific
methods are essential to its successful
prosecution. The administrative features
or forest reserves are at present unsatis-
factory. being divided between three bu-
recommended that all matters pertaining
TO forest reserves, except those involving
or pertaining to land titles. be consolidated
In the Bureau or Forestry OF the Depart
nient Of Agriculture.
The Cotton weevn.
The cotton-growing States have recently
been invaded by weevil that has done
much damage and threatens the entire cot
ton industry. / 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 foreign
ers here that the countries in which these
foreigners dwell extend in return to our
citizens: that is, to extend the benefits Of
our patent laws on inventions and the like
where in return the articles would be pat
entable in the foreign countries concerned
where an American could get corre-
spending patent in such countries
Indian Affairs.
The Indian agents should not be depend
ent for their appointment or tenure of Of
flee upon considerations of partisan poll
tics; the practice of appointing, when pos
sible. ex-army officers or bonded superin-
tendents to the vacancies that occur is
working we'll Attention is invited TO the
widespread illiteracy due to lack of public
schools in the Indian Territory. Prompt
heed should be paid 10 the need of educa-
ton for the children in this Territory.