The Washington times., 1905-12-05
PUBLIC LAND LAWS
Inquitous Methods By Which Public Lands Are Monopo
Hzed More Generally Known Further Restrictions
Should Be Placed Upon Assignments

Once again I call your attention to
the condition Of the public land laws.
Recent developments have given new
urgency to the need for such changes
as will fit these laws TO actual present
conditions. The honest disposal and
right use Of the remaining public lands
is OF fundamental Importance. The in
iQuitous methods by which the monOpo-
lizing OF pubic lands Is being brought
about under the present laws are be-
coming more generally Hnown. but the
existing laws do not furnish effective
remedies. The recommendations Of the
Public Lands Commission upon this sub
ject are wise and should be given effect
The creation OF small irrigated farms
under the reclamation act is a power
full Offset to the tendency OF certain
other laws to foster or permit monopoly
OF the land Under that act the con
stTuction OF great irrigation works has
been proceeding rapidly and successful
ly. the lands reclaimed are eagerly TAX
en- up. and the prospect that the policy
Of national Irrigation will accomplish
all that was expected Of IT is bright.
The act should be extended to include
the State of Texas.
Keeps Down Monopoly.
The reclamation act derives much Of
it's value from the fact that II tends 10
secure the greatest possible number Of
homes on the land. and TO create com
munities of freehOlders, in part by
settlement on public land. IN part by
forcing the subdivision OF large private
holdings before they can get water from
Government irrigation works.
gTzf- L.
use of water for land In private owner
ship shall be sold for a tract exceeding
100 acres TO any one landowner. This
provision has excited active and power
full hostility. but the success Of the law
itself depends on the wise and firm en-
forcement Of It. We can not afford to
substitute tenants for freehOlders on
the public domain.
The greater part OF the remaining
public lands cannot be irrigated They
are at present and Will probably always
be Of greater value for grazing than
for any other purpose. This fact has
led TO the grazing homestead OF 640
acres In Nebraska and to the proposed
extension of II TO other States II is
argued that a family cannot be sup
ported on 100 acres OF arid grazing land.
a family be supported on C4O acres Of
much Of the land to which # is pro-
posed to apply the grazing homestead.
Arbitrary Limit Unwise.
To establish universally any such ar
bitrary limit would be unwise at the
present time. 1t would probably result
on the one hand in enlarging the hold
lngs OF some Of the great landowners.
and on the other in needless suffering
and failure on the part OF very con
siderable proportion Of the bona fide
settlers who give faith TO the implied
assurance Of the Government that such
an area is sufficient. The best use Of
The public grazing lands requires the
careful examination and classification
OF these lands in order to give each
settler land enough to support his fam
fly and no more.
While this work is being done. and un-
III the lands are settled, the Govern
ment should take control Of the open
range. under reasonable regulations
sCited to local needs. following the gen
eral policy already In successful opera
ton on the forest reserves. 1t is prob
able that the present grazing value of
the open public range is scarcely more
than half what IL once was or what II