The Parma herald. (Parma, Idaho) 1903-1917, 1903-12-12

Necessity for Revision OF the Laws Is
Pointed Out.

The cash receipts of the General Land
Office for the last fiscal year were
$ll,0 A, 743.65, an increase Of s4,762, 816. A
over the preceding year. OF this sum,
approximately $S,46l ,493 will 60 to the
credit of the fund for the reclamation
of arid land making the total Of this
fund, up to the 30th of June, 1903, ap-
proximately. SIS, 191, 1885,
gratifying disposition has been
evinced by those having unlawful inclos-
ures Of pubic land to remove their fences.
Nearly 100000 acres so inclosed have been
thrown open on demand. In but com
para lively few cases has 1t been neees-
say to go into court to accomplish tn S
purpose This work will be vigorously
prosecuted until all unlawful Enclosures
have been removed
Experience has shown that in the West.
ern States themselves. as we'll as in the
rest OF the country, there Is widespr !
conviction that certain of the public and
laws and the resulting administr alive
practice no longer meet the present needs.
me character and uses of the remaining
public lands differ widely from those OF
the public lands which the Congress had
especially in view when these laws were
passed The rapidly increasing rate Of
disposal OF the public lands Is not toll
lowed by corresponding increase in
nome building. There Is a tendency to
mass in large holdings public lands, cs-
pecially timber and grazing lands, and
thereby to retard settlement l renew and
emphasize my recommendation Of last
year that so far as they are available fer
agriculture in its broadcast sense, anl to
whatever extent they may be reclaimed
urder the national irrigation Jaw, the re-
naming public lands should be held
rigfdly for the home-builder. The atten-
tion OF the Congress is especially directed
10 the timber and stone law, the desert
land law, and the Communication clause
OF the homestead law, which in III cir oper.
alton have in many respects coufiIcted
with wise publ.c-iand policy. The Discus
sions in the Congress and elsewhere have
made 1t evident that there Is wide d.
vergence of opinions between those holc-
Ing opposite views on these subjects: snd
that the opposing sides have strong and
convinced representatives Of weight beth
within and without the Congress; the diff
terences being not only as to matters of
opinion, but as to matters of fact
Reclamation of Arid Lands,
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 corps of
engineers known as the reclamation
service, which is conducting the SURVEYS
ana examinations, has been thoroughly
organized, especial pains being taken to
secure under the civil service rules
body of skilled, experienced and efficient
men. Surveys and examinations are
progressing throughout the arid states and
territories. plans for retaining works h.
ing prepared and passed upon by boards
OF engineers before approved by the Sec
rotary of the Interior. In Arizona and
Nevada, in localities where such work is
needed, construction has AL
ready been begun. In other parts of the
ard West various projects are we'll adj
vanced towards the drawing up of con
tracts, these being delayed in mart Nv
necessities of reaching agreements or I'M
Outstanding as regards rights OF wav or
acquisition OF real estate. Most Of ths
works contemplated for construction ara
Oh national Importance involving inter
state questions or the securing of stable |
communities In the mjdst |
u vast tracts of vacant land The Nation
as a whole Is OF course the gamer hv ~
,reauon OF these homes, adding as thay
40 10 the wealth and stability NJ ~
country, and furnishing a home marts,
,af the products of the East and South
me reclamation law. while PERTAINS no.
aeal, appears at present to answer the
anger needs for which 1t is desigrad
ursner legislation Is not recommenSsss
ansh the necessities of change ara ,-,,.-s.
apparent. arc more