The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1903-12-08

course, be impossible suddenly to raise
the people Of the islands to the high
pitch Of industrial prosperity and Of
governmental efficiency to which. they
will in the end by degrees attain. and
the caution and moderation shown in
developing them have been among the
main reasons why this development
has hitherto gone on sc smoothly.
Scrupulous are has been taken in the
choice of governmental agents and the
entire elimination of partisan politics
from the public service. The condition
Of the islanders is in material things
far better than ever before, while their
governmental, intellectual and moral
advance has kept pace with their ma
terial advance. No one people ever
benefited another people than we
have benefited the Filipinos by taking
possession of the islands.
Preservation of Forests.
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 proceeds
from the disposal Of public lands.
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 water
supply must be effectively protected
and the reservoirs guarded by the pres
%ervation of the forests at the head
waters of the streams. The necessity
for perpetuating our forest resources.
whether in public or private hands. is
recognized now as never before. 1t is
recommended that all matters pertain
ing to forest reserves, except those in
volving or pertaining to land titles, be
consolidated in the bureau of forestry
of the department of agriculture.
The cotton growing states have re-
Gently been invaded by a weevil that
has done much damage and threatens
the entire cotton industry. l suggest
to the congress the prompt enactment
Of such remedial legislation as its judg-
ment may approve.
No other class of our citizens de-
serves so we'll of the nation as those
to whom the nation owes it's very be-
ing, the veterans of the civil war. Spe-
cial attention is asked to the excellent
work Of the pension bureau in expedit-
ing and disposing Of pension claims.
During the fiscal year ending July 1,
1903, the bureau settled 251,9S2 claims,
an average of S25 claims for each
working day of the year. The number
of settlements since July 1, 1908. has
been in excess of last years average.
approaching 1000 claims for each
working day. and it is believed that
the work of the bureau will be current
at the close Of the present fiscal year.
Extension of Civil ervic Rules.
During the year ended June 80 last
25,566 persons were appointed through
competitive examinations under the
civil service rules. This was 12.672
more than during the preceding year
and 40 per cent Of those who passed
the examinations. This abnormal
growth was largely occasioned by the
extension of classification to the rural
free delivery service and the appoint
ment last year of over 5000 rural car
riers. A revision Of the civil service
rules took effect on April Is last, which
has greatly improved their operation.
The completion of the reform Of the
civil service is recognized by good citi-
zens everywhere as a matter of the
highest public Importance. and the sue
cess of the merit system largely depends
upon the effectiveness of tile rules and
the machinery provided for their en-
forcement. A very gratifying spirit of
friendly cooperation exists in all the
departments of the government in the
enforcement and uniform observance
of both the letter and spirit of the civil
service act.
The Army ind Navy.
The effect Of the laws providing a
general staff for the army and for the
more effective use of the national guard
has been excellent. Great improve
ment has been made in the efficiency
of u army in recent years. Such
schools as those erected at Fort Leay-
enworth and Fort Riley and the insti-
tuition of fall maneuver work accom-
n o11 n n