Durango semi-weekly herald., 1903-12-10


bureau OF forestry OF the department
of agriculture. and + H. Newell. CHIEF
photographer OF the geological survey.
to report at the earliest practicable
moment upon the condition, operation.
and effect OF the present land laws
and on the use, condition. disposal and
settlement of the public lands. The
commission will report especially what
changes in organization. laws, regn-
lations. and practice affecting the pub
lie lands are needed to effect the larg-
est practicable disposition of the pub
lie lands TO actual settlers who will
build permanent homes upon them,
and TO secure in permanence The full
est and most effective use of the re-
sources of the public lands. and 1t
will make such other reports and rec
concentrations as It's study OF these
questions may suggest, The commits
sion is TO report Immediately upon
those points concerning which its
judgment is clear. on any point upon
which 1t has doubt ii viii take the
time necessary to make investigation
and reach final judgment.
Irrigation.
The work OF reclamation of the arid
lands of the West Is progressing
steadily and satisfactorily under the
terms OF the law setting aside the pro-
ceeds from the disposal of public
lands. The corps OF engineers known
as the reclamation service, which is
conducting the surveys and examina
lions has been thoroughly organized,
especial pains being taken to secure
under the civil service rules body
of skilled, experienced and efficient
men, Surveys and examinations are
progressing throughout the arid states
and territories. plans for reclaiming
works being prepared and passed upon
by boards of engineers before approval
by the secretary Of the interior. In
Arizona and Nevada, In localities
where such work is pre-eminently need
ed construction has already been be-
gun. In other parts of the arid West
various projects are well advanced To-
wards the drawing up of contracts,
these being delayed in part by necessl-
ties of reaching agreements or under
standing as regards rights OF way or
acquisition OF real estate Most of
the works contemplated for construc
lion are OF national importance, in
volying Interstate questions or the Sc
curing Of stable, self-snppGrting com
munites In the midst OF vast tracts OF
vacant land. The nation as "A whole
is OF course the gamer by The creation
of these homes. adding as they do to
the wealth and stability of the coun-
try, and furnishing home market for
the products of the East and South
The reclamation law, while perhaps
not ideal, appears at present to an
swer the larger needs for which 1t is
recommended until the necessities of
change are more apparent,
Preservation Of Forests.
The study OF the opportunities OF
reclamation of the vast extent of arid
land shows that whether this reclama-
ton is done by individuals. corpora
tons. or the state, the sources OF wa.
ter supply must be effectively protect
ed and The reservoirs guarded by the
preservation of the forests at the
headwaters of the streams. The engi-
neers making the preliminary exam
nations continually emphasize this
need and urge that the remaining pub
lie lands at the headwaters of the i'm
porlant streams OF the West be re-
served TO insure permanency of water
supply for irrigation Much progress
in forestry has been made during the
past year. The necessity for perpeu-
atng our forest resources, whether in
public or private hands, is recognized
now as never before. The demand for
forest reserves has become insistent
in the West, because the West must
use the water, wood, and summer
range which only such reserves can
supply. Progressive lumbermen are
striving. through forestry. TO give
their business permanence. Other
great business interests are awakening
10 the need of forest preservation AS
a business matter The government S
forest work should receive from the
congress hearty support, and especial
ly support adequate for the protection
OI lUc lbTtSt ItetINtS dSdluSA me-
The forest reserve pols'y of the gov
ernment has passed beyond the expe-
rimental stage and has reached a con
dition where scientific methods are es-
sential to Its successful prosecution.
The administrative features OF forest
reserves are at present unsatisfactory
being divided between three bureaus
of two departments. II is therefore
recommended that all matters pertain
ing to forest reserves, except those
involving or pertaining TO land titles
be consolidated in the bureau OF for
estry OF the department of agrieul'
ture.
Cotton WeeVjl.
The cotton-growing states have re
Gently been invaded by weevil that
has done much damage and threatens
the entire cotton industry. suggest
to the congress the prompt enactment
of such remedial legislation as its
judgment hay approve.
Patents to Foreigners.
In granting patents to foreigners tho
proper course for this country to fol
low is to give the same advantages tc
foreigners here that the countries il
which these foreigners dwell extent