Las Vegas daily optic. [volume] (Las Vegas, N.M.) 1880-1908, 1903-12-08

demand. In but comparatively few
cases has 1t been necessary to go into
court 10 accomplish this purpose. This
work will be vigorously prosecuted
until all unlawful Enclosures have been
removed"
Revision Of Public Land Laws and
irrigation.
Experience has shown that In the
western states themselves. az well a.
In the rest OF the country, there IL
) widespread conviction that certain Of
the public land laws and the resulting
administrative practice no longer
meet the present needs The charac-
ter and uses OF the remaining public
lands differ widely from those OF the
public lands which congress had es-
pecially In view when these laws were
passed. The rapidly increasing rate
OF disposal Of the public lands Is not
followed by a corresponding Increase
In BODYBUILDING There is a tendency
to mass In large holdings public lands.
especially timber AMI grazing lands,
and thereby 10 retard settlement. 4
renew and emphasize my recommen.
dations 81 last year, that 50 far AZ
they are available for agriculture In
its broadcast sense. and 10 whatever
extent they may be reclaimed under
the national irrigation law. the re-
naming public lands should be held
rigldly for the home-builder. The at.
tention Of the congress Ii especially
directed 10 the timber and stone law.
the desert land law, and the commu.
tatlon clause Of the homestead law,
which In their operation have Iii many
respects conflicted with wise public
land policy. Tho discussions In tho
congress and elsewhere have made II
evident that there Ii q Wide diverg-
ence Of opinions between those hold.
INK opposite Views on these subjects;
and that the opposing sides have
strong and convinced representatives
Of weight both within and without
the congress; the differences being
not only as to matters OF opinions but
as TO matters Of fact In order that
definite information may be available
for the use OF the congress. ! have
appointed q commission composed OF
w. Al. Richards. commissioner OF the
general land office; Clifford Plnchot.
chief Of the bureau Of forestry 0 the
department or agriculture. and +. II.
Newell. chief photographer Of the geo.
logical survey, to report at the earliest
practicable moment upon the condi-
ton, operation and effect or the pres
ent land laws and on the use. condi.
ton and settlement Of the public
lands. The commission will report es.
pecially what changes In organization.
laws. regulations and practice affect.
ing the public lands are needed 10
affect the largest practicable disposi-
lion of the public lands 10 actual set.
tiers who will build permanent homes
upon them, ana 70 secure In perma.
hence the fullest and most effective
use Of the resources OF the public
lands. and II win make such other re-
ports aud recommendations as lis
study Of these questions may suggest.
The commission Ii TO report immedr
atoiy upon the points concerning
which ils judgment Is clear. On any
point upon which II has doubt II will
take the time necessary 10 make M
srstigation AMI reach i final judg.
ment
irrigation.
The work Of reclamation OF the
aria lands 81 the west II progressing
steadily and s~atisfactori y under the
terms Of the law setting aslde the pro.
ceeds from the disposal OF public
lands. The corps Of engineers known
as the Reclamation Service. which Is
conducting the surveys and cxamina-
tons. has been thoroughly organized,
especial pains being taken 70 secure
under the civil service rules a body
Of skilled, experienced and efficient