Northern Wisconsin advertiser. [volume] (Wabeno, Wis.) 1898-1925, 1903-12-10
GENERAL LAnD OFFICE.

The cash receipts of the general land of
nee for the last fiscal year were 81 ,024-
1885, an increase of SAFE. S1647 over the
preceding year. OF this sum- approx
mately, IS. 461 .49s will go TO the credit Of
the fund for the reclamation or arid land,
making the total of this fund. up to the
$16 1886
gratifying disposition has been eyinced
by those having unlawful Enclosures of
public land to remove their fences Nearly
two million acres so inclosed have been
thrown open on demand. In but compare
lively few cases has it been necessary to
go into court to accomplish this purpose
This work VIII be vigorously prosecuted
until all unlawful Enclosures have been re-
moved.
Experience has shown that in the west
ern states themselves. MS well as in the
rest of the country. there is widespread
conviction that certain of the puhIic-land
laws and the resulting administrative prac-
tice no longer meet the present needs. The
character and uses Of tho remaining pub-
lie lends differ widely from those of the
public lands which congress had especially
in Wow when these laws were passed The
randly Increasing rate of disposal OF the
public lands is not followed hv CORE
SDonding increase in home bulGing Thare
is tendency to mass in large holdings
public lends. especially timber and graz
ing lands. and thereby to retard settle
ment ren"w and nmphasiz NV recon-
mendation If last that so far as they
Gre available for agriculture in ITS broad
est sense. and to whatever extent thev
NAV he reclaimed under the national irri-
CATION law. the remaining public lands
should be held rigidly for the home
builder. The attention of the congress is
especially directed TO the timber and stone
law, the desert-land law. and the commu-
tatiOn clause of the homestead law. which
in their operation have in MANY respects
conficted with wise public-land policy
Inc discussions In the congress and else
where have made ii evident that there Is a
wide divergence of opinions between those
holding opposite views on these subjects:
and that the opposing sides have strong
and convinced representa- Of weight
both within and without the congress; the
differences being not only as to matters of
opinion but as to matters of fact. In or
der that definite information may be avail
able for the use Of the congress, 1 have APP
pointed commission composed NJ w. 4.
Richards, commissioner Of the general land
Office: Clifford Pnchot, chief of the bureau
of forestry, and +. III. Newell. chief ny
drographer of the geological survey, TO re-
port 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
especially what changes In organization,
laws. regulations. and practice affecting
the public lands are needed to effect the
largest practicable disposition Of the pub
lie lands to actual settlers who viii
permanent homes upon them. and to secure
In permanence the fullest and most effec-
tive use Of the resources of the public
lands: and IL will make such other reports
and recommendations as it's study Of these
questions NAV suggest. The commission is
concerning which It's judgment is clear:
on any point uDOn which - has dorbt n
will take the time necessary to make in
vestigation and reach a final judgment.