Waterbury evening Democrat., 1903-12-07

fences. Nearly Z,UOO,OOO acres so 1n- closed haveI been thrown open on de- mand. Tn but comparatively few cases has it been necessary to go into court to accomplish this purpose. This work will be vigoHously prosecuted until all unlawful incHosures have been removed. PUBLIC LAND LAWS REVISION
 NECESSARY.
 Experience Shas shown that in the western stateS themselves, as well as in the rest of the country, there is widespread con nviction that certain of the public landt laws and the resulting administrative practice no longer meet the present needak The character and uses of the. remA aiming public lands differ widely from those of the public lands which congressl had especially in view when these laws were passed. The rapidly increasing ra5e of disposal of the public lands is not Followed by 8 corresponding increase in h&me build ing. There is a tendency toS mass In large holdings public lands, especially timber and grazing lands, andf thereby to retard settlement. I renew and em- phasize my recommendation of last year that so far as they are available for agriculture in it's broadcast sense and to whatever extent they may be reclaimed under the national irriga- tion law the remaining public lands should be held rigidly for the home builder. The attention of the congress lis especially directed to the timbeF and stone law, the desert land law and the communication clause of the home stead law, which in their operation have in many respects conficted with wise public land policy.
 The discussions in the congress and elsewhere have made it evident that there is a wide divergence of opinions between those holding opposite views lon these subjects and that the op- posing sides have strong and convinced of weight both within land without the congress, the differ fences being not only as to matters of opinion, but as to matters of fact. In order that definite information may be available for the use of the congress have appointed commission composed |pf W. A. Richards, commissioner of the general land office; Clifford Pinchot, chief of the bureau of forestry of the of agriculture, and F. Fl. Newell, chief hydrographer of the geo. logical survey, to report at the earliest practicable moment upon the condi- 'Gion, operation and effect of the pres |ent land laws and on the use, condition, disposal and settlement of the public lands.
 The commission will report especially what changes in organization, laws, regulations and practice affecting the public lands are needed to effect the largest practicable disposition of the public lands to actual settlers who will build permanent homes upon them hnd to secure in permanence the fullest and most effective use of the resources bf the public lands, and it will make such other reports and recommends lions as it's study of these questions may suggest. The commission is to report immediately upon those points concerning which its Judgment is clear; bn any point upon which 1t has doubt t will take the time necessary to make investigation and reach a final judg-  ment
 The work of reclamation of the aria ands of the west is progressing stead i ly and satisfactorily under the terms bf the law setting aside the proceeds rom the disposal of public lands. The orps of engineers known as the recla- nation service, which is conducting the urveys and examinations, has been Thoroughly organized, especial pains be- ng taken to secure under the civil serv- ce rules body of skilled, experienced nd efficient men. Surveys and exami- lations are progressing throughout the rid states and territories, plans for re- elafming works being prepared and passed upon by boards of engineers be- lore approval by the secretary of the Interior. In Arizona and Nevada, in. To- Falities where such work is pre-emi- Pently needed, construction has already been begun. In other parts of the arid vest various projects are well advanced toward the drawing up of contracts, hese being delayed in part by necessi- ies of reaching agreements or under Handing as regards rights of way or
 
 works contemplated for construction ire of national importance, involving nterstate questions or the securing of table, self supporting communities in he midst of vast tracts of vacant land. he nation as a whole is of course the Fatner by the creation of these homes, dding as they do to the wealth and liability of the country and furnishing
 home market for the products of the ast and south. The reclamation law, while perhaps not ideal, appears at present. to answer the larger needs for which it is designed. Further legisla- jon Is not recommended until the ne essities of change are more apparent.
 PRESERVATION OF FORESTS.
 The study of the opportunities of eclamatfon of the vast extent of arid and shows that whether this reclama- ion is done by individuals, corpora ions or the state, the sources of wa er supply must be effectively protect