River Falls journal. [volume] (River Falls, Pierce County, Wis.) 1872-2019, 1903-12-10

say that their steady progress has been
such as to make it unnecessary to spend
much time in discussing them. ct the
congress should ever keep in mind that
a peculiar obligation rests upon US to
further in every way the welfare OF
these communities. The philippines
should be knit closer TO US by tariff ar
rangements 1t would. of course, be i'm
possible suddenly to raise the people of
the islands to the high pitch of Industrial
prosperity and of governmental efficiency
to Which they will in the end by degrees
attain; and the caution and moderation
shown in developing them have been
among the main reasons why this devel-
opment has hitherto gone on so smooth
Nv. Scrupulous care has been taken in
the choice of governmental agents, and
the entire elimination OF partisan politics
from the public service. The condition
of the islanders is in material things FAR
better than ever before, while their gov
ernmental, intellectual and moral ad,
advance. No one people ever benefited
another people more than we have bene-
flied the Filipinos by taking possession
of the islands
The Public Lands.
gratifying disposition has been
eyinced by those having unlawful IN
closures of public land to remove their
fences. Nearly 10000 5000; on acres So SO IN
In but comparatively few cases has 1t
been necessary to go into court to &C
compliSh this purpose. IHS work VIII De
vigorously prosecuted until all unlaWIul
Enclosures have been removed.
Experience has shown that in the west
ern states themselves. as we'll as in the
conviction that certain of the public land
laws and the resulting administrative
practice no longer meet the present needs.
nublfc lands differ widely from those of
the public lands which congress had es-
pecially in view when these laws were
BASED The rapidly increasing rate of
disposal Of the public lands is not fol-
lowed by corresponding increase in
home building. There is tendency to
mass in large holdings PUBIC lands es5
thereby to retard settlement. l renew
and emphasize my recommendation of
last year that SO far as tney are avallaoie
to whatever extent they may be re-
claimed under the national irrigation law,
the remaining public LANDS should be held
ton of the congress is especially direct
ed to the timber and stone law, the
desert-land law. ana the commutatlon
clause of the homestead law. which in
their operation have in many respects
conhicted with wise public-land policy.
The discussions in the congress and else
where have made it 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-
tiyes 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% order that definite
information may be available for the use
of the congress, / have appointed COM
mission COMPOSED of w. A. Richards
commissions of the general land office;
Clifford PinchOt chief of the bureau of
forestry of the department of agricul-
ture, and F. H. Newell, chief hydrogra-
pher of the geological survey, to report
at the earliest practicable moment upon
the condition, operation and effect of the
present land laws and on the use, con-
dition, disposal and settlement of the
public lands The commission will report
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 will build
permanent homes upon them, and to Sc
cure in permanence the fullest and most
effective use of the resources of the pub
lie lands: and it will make such other
reports and recommendations as its
study of these questions may suggest
The commission is to report immediate
it's Judgment is clear: on any point upon
which it has doubt it will take the time
necessary to make investigation and
reach a final judgment.
Progress of Irrigation.
The work of reclamation Of the arid lands
of the west is progressing steadily and sat-
isfaCtorily under the terms of the law set
ting aside the proceeds from the disposal
o.
known as the reclamation service, which
is conducting the surveys and eXamina-
tons, has been thoroughly organized, es-
pecial pains being taken to secure under
the civil service rules body of skilled, eX-
perienceG and efficient men. Surveys and
examinations are progressing throughout
the arid states and territories, plans for
retaining works being prepared and
passed upon by boards of engineers before
approval by the secretary of the interior
In Arizona and Nevada, in localities where
N,ly ted
struction has already been begun In other
parts of the arid west various projects are
well advanced towards the drawing up of
contracts, these being delayed in part by
necessities of reaching agreements or un-
Outstanding as regards rights of way or
acquisition of real estate. Most of the
works contemplated for construction are
of national Importance, involving inter-
state questions or the securing of stable,
self-supporting communities in the midst
of vast tracts of vacant land. The nation
as 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 a home market for the
products of the east and south The re-
clamation law, while perhaps not ideal,
appears at present to answer the larger
needs for which it is designed. Further
legislation is not recommended until the
necessities of change are more apparent.
The Civil Service.
During the year ended June 30 last 25, 566
persons were appointed through competi-
examinations service
rules. This was 1852 more than during the
preceding year, and 40 per cent. of those
who passed the examinations This alb
normal growth was largely occasioned by
the extension of classification To the rural
free delivery service and the appointment
last year of over 5000 rural carriers A re-
on April 10 last. which has greatly i'm
proved their operation. The completion of
the reform of the civil service is recognized
by good citizens everywhere as a matter
of he inha Y11Jh In INN nr-to and + 6n
success of the,nerit system largely depends
upon the effectiveness of the rules
and the machinery provided for their
of friendly cooperation exists in all
the departments of the government in the
enforcement and uniform observance of
both the letter and spirit of the civil Serv-
ice act. Executive orders of July 3, 1902;
March rs, 1903, and July 8, 1903, require that
appointments of all unclassified laborers,
both in the departments at Washington
and in the field service, shall be made with
the assistance of the United States civil
service commission, under system of
registration to test the relative fitness of
applicants for appointment or employment
This system is competitive, and is open to
all citizens of the United States qualified
in respect to age, physical ability, moral
character, industry and adaptability for
manual labor; except that in case of vet
Grams of the civil war the element Of age is
omitted. This system of appointment is
distinct from the classified service and does
not classify positions of mere laborer un-
der the civil service act and rules. Regu-
lations in aid thereof have been put in
operation in several of the departmen ts
and are being gradually extended in other
parts of the service. The results have
been very satisfactory, as extravaganza
has been checked by decreasing the number
of unnecessary positions and by increasing
the efficiency of the employees remaining.
The Army and Navy.
The effect of the laws providing a gen
eral staff for the army and for the more
effective use of the national guard has
been excellent Great Improvement has