The Atlanta constitution. [volume] (Atlanta, Ga.) 1885-19??, 1903-12-14
QUESTION OF CANAL ROUTE
NOW IRREV0CABLY DECIDED


BY award the right of the United States
10 the control of continuous strip or
border of the mainland shore, skirting
all the tidewater nlets and sinuosties
of the coast, is confirmed; the entrance
to Portland canal concerning which le-
ultimate doubt appeared is defined rs
passing by Tongass inlet and to the
northWestWard of Wales and Pearse ISL
ands; line is drawn from the head Of
Portland canal to the 56th Gegrce IF
north latitude; and the interior border
line of the strip is fixed By lines con
Meeting certain mountain ST nlniils lying
between Portland canal and Mount ST.
ELIAS. and running along the crest Of
tho divide separatinS the cua,:. slope
from the inland watershed at thu only
part of the frontier where the dra nage
ridge approaches the coast within the
distance of o marine leagues stipulated
by the treaty as the extreme width IF
the strip around the heads of Lynn ca
nal and its branches
While the line 50 traced follows tae
provisional demarcaton of 1873 at the
crossing of the Sti1tine river. and that
of 500 al the SUBMITS of the White and
Chilkoot passes, it runs much farther
inland from the. klehini than the tenn
porary line of the later moduS Vivendi,
and leaves the entire mining district Of
the Porcupine river and Glacier creek
within the jurisdiction Of the United
States.
Relations with Turkey and China, and
the rural free delivery system, good
roads and the ST Louis exposition are
treated in brief
Irri cation.
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
iisnosal of public lands The corps OF
1pin 10, mot ion
service. which is conducting the surveys
and examinations has been thoroughly
organized. especial pains being taken TO
secure under the civil-service rules
body OF skilled. experienced and efficient
mon. SURVEYS and eXamina lions are pro-
crossing throughout the arid states ard
territories. nlans for reclaimng works
being prepared and passed upon
by boards Of engineers before
approval by the secretary Of
the interior. In Arizona and Ne
vada in localities whore such work
is prominently needed. construction has
already been begun. In other parts of
the arid west various projects are we'll
advanced toward the drawing up of CON
tracts. these being delayed in part by
necessities of reaching agreements or UNI
derstanding as regards rights of way
acousition of real estate. Most of the
works con emplated for construction are
of national Importance involving inter-
state questions or the securing Of stable
Self-suDp0rting communities in the midst
of vast tracts Of vacant land The ma
ton 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 country. and furnishing q home
market for the products of the east and
south. The reclamation law, while per-
haps not ideal, appears at present to an
swer the larger needs for which If is
designed. Further legislation is not rec
commended until the necessities of change
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 OF the
state, the source OF water supply must
be effectively protected and the reSer-
voirs guarded 10y the preservation of he
forests at the hcadwaters of the streams
The engineers making the preliminary
examinations continually emphasize this
need and urge that the remaining public
lands the hcadwaters of the impor-
tant streams of the west be reserved 10
insure permanency of water supply for
irrigation. Much progress in forestry
has been made during the past year
The necessity Tor perpetuating our forest
reserves, whether in public or private
hands. is recognized now as never before
The demand for forest reserves has be-
come insistent in the west, because tho
west must Use the water, wood ana
summer range which only such reserves
can supply Progressive lumbcrmen arc
striving, through forestry, to give their
business pcrInanence. Other great bust
ness interests arc awakening to the need
OF forest preservation as a business mat
ter The governments forest work
should receive from congress hearty sup
port and especially support adequate for
the protection Of t'.- forest reserves
against fire The forest reserve policy
the experimental stage and has reached
q condition where scientific methods arc
essential TO its successful prosecution.
The administrative features o. forest 70
mo ivi'5ed bo,pyeen fI,r@e hiireal1s If tyyo
de2artments. RI is therefore recon-
mended that all matters pertaining to
forest reserves. except hose Involving
or pertaining TO land titles, be conSol'
da ted in The bureau Of forestry OF the
department OF agriculture.
co++o, Maevil
The cotton growing states nave re-
Gently been invaded by a weevl that
has done much damage and threaten
tta ont;ro cotton industry. susyeest 20
~ nanerees ~ nrornnf enactment Of
me ~ 80 ~ i.'1an,aT,r
NAV approve.
Pensions.
e,,,, .,ei,,o,,, <,,..,,.,.,,
no otAeT class u oul ViliN0"o ue9T' Fo
so well of the nation as those TO Whom
the nation owes its very being, The vet
e,,ane of +he civil war. Special attention
i, .,e},oI ~ he ov5allen, work Of the pen
.jc,, T,,,ll,,, j., ,vneditino and disDosin2r
Of pension claims During the fiscal year
ondi,,a inv 1908 the bureau settled
- * 49,. ..,.1..,.s- 80 ooE oIa f,,,.,