The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1903-03-10


He thus proposed to dispose of at least
100000 acres of the remaining public do
main at one fell swoop, with a provision
that these claims could all be assigned
to one corporation if so desired
The greater number of land filings now
being made are upon the fertile valley
and bench lanes which the government
purposes to reclaim under the National
Reclamation act, with It's fund of $50, OOO,-
900, more or less, The officials of the Geo
logical Survey, who are engaged in the
anxious and important work of preparing
for the great hydraulic constructions
which the government will shortly built
to reclaim its arid property. are seriously
alarmed at the inroads now being made
upon the reclaimabie area, and some of
the best locations for reservoirs have been
put out Of the running owing to the
wholesale taking of the reclaimable land
by big live stock outfits, who have hired
men and women to use their citizenship
rights contrary to law. for the benefit OF
others
President Roosevelt has recently declar-
ed his Interchangeable purpose of remain
ing steadfast in his opposition to this
wrongful use of public lands. He has
said that home building is but another
name for the upbuiding of the nation"
and he declares that he will exert every
influence in his power to see that this
principle controls the general land office.
If he is able to wake up that venera-
BILE institution to a sence of its own short
cominge he will do more than any pre-
vious executive head of the government
has been able to accomplish Land COM
missioners come and go. but the imInu-
liability of the land office as an institution
goes on forever. The dust accumulates
on its files. and to have the papers in
a case letter perfect is the highest stan
dard required of an alleged settler, who
may, nevertheless be perjuring himself
in every line of his legal documents.
Those who are opposed to remedial leg
islation and who favor some measure
whereby the three million acres of pub
lie grazing land can be permanently de-
voted to the range industry and kept from
settlement state thaey will not cease their
activity with the adjournment of Con-
Sress.
Every effort possible will be made. TO
bring converts to their cause to confuse
the minds of disinterested members Of
Congress, to secure control of important
departments by getting men appointed,
who. while without personal blemish. are
sympathetic with the range interests
In no particular instance is the inc
quality of representation in the United
States senate so marked as in this par
ticular. for the range industry OF the
west has a bigger representation on the
floor of the senate than half a dozen
of the greatest commemorative east OF
the Mississippi.
The money Of the great packing house
firms of the west is loaned upon the
nocks and herds which now Craze upon
the public lands and millions Of dollars
are forthcoming on demand whenever any
funds are needed to build up these great
live stock ranches of to perpetuate con-
troll Of free grass by private individuals.
There is no lack OF political power, no
lack of financial strength, no lack Of
ability, energy. industry or initiative with
in the group OF men who now hold des-
putic sway over the entire states and
territories through their control OF the
land.
Nevada. with ninety-six per cent Of its
entire era still belonging noulinally to the
government. is controlled in every vital
feature OF the life of the state by less
than a score OF men. who own the other
four per cent which surrounds the water
supply Of that arid state.
Public opinion is now aroused The
land committees OF both house and sen
ate have been flooded this winter with
thousands Of petitions. copies Of resolu-
tons and every other form Of APPEAL
which can De made BY organized labor.
commerce and industry 70 the lsCisia-
tive body to enact some laws 20 save the
remaining public lands 10 the people for
the purpose OF home building
\ majority Of congress IS disintsrestei
in this matter and when once aroused
popular indignation win bring about the
inevitable and the range representation
IN the capitol viii disappear n the sans
manner as the long horned steer has re-
treated before the man with the hoe