Kansas agitator. [volume] (Garnett, Kan.) 1890-1905, 1904-12-09

the Union and the islands of the sea late
ly come under our flag. Cooperation Is
had with the state experiment stations,
and with many other institutions and in
dviduals. The world Is carefully search
ed for new varieties of grains, fruits
grasses. vegetables. trees. and shrubs,
suitable to various localities in our coun-
try; and marked benefit to our producers
has resulted
irrigation.
During the two and a half years that
have elapsed since the passage of the
reclamation act rapid progress has been
made in the surveys and examinations OF
the opportunities for reclamation in the
thirteen states and three territories of
the arid West. Construction has already
been begun on the largest and most i'm
portant of the irrigation works, and plans
are being completed for works which Will
utilize the funds now available. The
reclamation act has been found to be re-
markedly complete and effective, and so
broad in its provisions that wide range
of undertakings has been possible under
1t. At the same time, economy is guar
anteed by the fact that the funds must
ultimately be returned to be used over
again.
FOFeStS.
1t Is the cardinal principle of the for
est-reserve policy of this Administration
that the reserves are for use. What
ever interferes with the use Of their re-
sourcs is to be avoided by every possible
means. But these resources must be used
in such a way as to make them perma-
nent.
Although the wisdom of creating for
est reserves is nearly everywhere heart
lily recognized. yet in few localities
there has been misunderstanding and
complaint. The following statement is
therefore desirable:
The forestreserve policy can be sue
cessful only when 1t has the full support
of the people of the West 1t can not
safely. and Should not in any case. be i'm
posed upon them against their will. But
neither can we accept the views of those
whose only interest In the forest Is tenn
porary: who are anxious to reap what
they have not sown and then move away,
leaving desolation behind them.
The making of forest reserves within
railroad and wagon-road land grant linn
its will hereafter, as for the past three
years. be so managed as to prevent the
issue. under the act of June 4, 1897. OF
base for exchange or lieu selection (usu-
ally called scrip. In all cases where
forest reserves within areas covered by
land grants appear to be essential TO
the prosperity of settlers miners, or 9TH
ers. the government lands within such
proposed forest reserves will, as in the
recent past be withdrawn from sale or
entry pending the completion of such
negotiations with the owners of the land
grants as will prevent the creation of So
called scrip.
Establishment of game reserves
wherein may be preserved specimens
of our wild animals which are now
rapidly tending toward extinction is
urged.
Pensions.
The veterans of the civil war have a
claim upon the nation such as no other
body of our citizens possess The pen
sion bureau has never in its history been
managed in a more satisfactory manner
than is now the case.
Indians.
The progress of the Indians toward civ
iization. though not rapid, is perhaps all
that could be hoped for in view Of the
circumstances. 1t is commonly declared
that the slow advance of the Indians is
due to the unsatisfactory character of
the men appointed to take immediate
charge of them. and to some extent this
is true. While the standard of the en-
ployes in the Indian service shows great
over that of bygOne years.
and while actual corruption or fragrant
dishonesty Is now the rare exception, 1t
is nevertheless the fact that the salaries
paid Indian agents are not large enough
to attract the best men to that field OF
work. To achieve satisfactory results
the official in charge of an Indian tribe
should possess the high qualifications
which are required in the manager of a
large business. but only in exceptional
cases is it possible to secure men of such
a type for these positions.
Postal Service.
In the Postoffice Department the serv-
I've has increased in efficiency and con-
ditions as to revenue and expenditure
continue satisfactory. The increase of
revenue during the year was $9,35S, 1910,
or 60 per cent. the total receipts amount
ing to $1i3,3S2 .624.34. The expenditures
were $152 1862 1870. an increase of about
3 per cent over the previous year. being
thus $S.979. SO in excess of the cur
rent revenue. Included in these eXpendi-
lures was a total appropriation of $12.-
$50. 631.35 for the continuation and extern
sion of the rural free delivery service. |
which was an increase of $4902. 237. 80 |
over lHt dIlltull tAptIlutu ioi tIiS pun
pose in the preceding fiscal year. Large |
rs this expenditure has been the benef- |
cent results attained in extending the |
free distribution of mails to the residents |
Of rural districts. have justified the wis |
lom of the outlay. Statistics brought |
lown to the 1st of October, 1904. show |
that on that date there were 27,13S rural |
routes established. serving approximately |
~, 900 900 of people in rural districts re- |
mote from postoffices. and that there |
we're pending at that time $3.50 petitions |
'or the establishment of new rural routes |
rnquestonably some part of the general |
Increase in receipts is due to the in
creased postal facilities. which the rural |
service has afforded. The revenues have
ilso been aided greatly by amendments
n the classification of mail matter, and |
he curtailment of abuses of the second
lass mailing privilege. The average in
,rease in the volume of mail matter for
he period beginning with 1902 and end
ng June. 1905 (that portion for 1905 be-
ng estimated Is 40.47 per cent, as COM
pared with 25.46 per cent for the period
preceding, and 1892 for the
our-year period Immediately preceding
hat.
The message here points out the
need for improvement in our consular
system, advises the creation of a ma
.ional art gallery and suggests the
enactment of national quarantine