The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1906-12-12
Says Courts Abet
Land Thieves
Hitchcock Tells of Fight to
End Stealing of Domain

lands in open disregard or criminal
statute without thereby encouraging
others to do likewise; and here 1T may
be properly noted that reports on nle
in the department indicate that ap.
proximately 100000 acres and more OF
the public domain in certain States and
propriated to the exclusive use of pri-
vate interests for private gain
MUST REPEAL LAWS
Until, therefore, the opportunities af-
forded for the fraudulent acquisition or
public lands by the timber and stone
homestead law are removed by the re-
peal or modification OF these measures
the Government may expect 10 expend
IL. ats money and energy IN aPprenfe o ass
fraud it out OF it's public lands &C
cordingly renew the recommendatlons
past five years. that the aboye-men-
toned laws be repealed or modified.
My official influence In this matter
Will soon terminate. but I shall have
the comfort In reiring from the public
service of a well-founded conviction
that the action of the President rela-
tive to this class of lawlessness will be
SO rigorous as to enable my successor
to successfully administer the law.
In my last annual report twelve trrt-
cations were reported as under con-
struction, under the act OF June ~.
1902, known as the Reclamation act"
Such progress has been made during
the past year that there are now
twenty-three of such projects in pro-
do project in New Mexico, is practi-
cally completed and 1T is believed will
be in operation in a short time
Twenty-Five additional forest reser-
vations have been established by Pres
idential proclamation, under the act of
March 8. 1891, the areas of three have
been reduced, seventeen have been en-
larged and two have been consolidated.
In effecting the consolidation referred
to several small areas were excluded
and large quantity of land was added
area Of forest reserves during the year
was 81, 5000 acres. The total num-
Der of forest reservations created I'M
aggregatin e 1eS' s sss.4as s acres. iO0'
WOULD ABOLISH OFFICE
In my last annual report 1 stated
that the matter of the further contInu-
ance of the office of Receiver OF Public
Moneys for United States land offices
was one of questionable propriety and
Commissioner of the General Land
Office that such Office be abolished.
desire to renew such recommendation.
believing that its effectuation will re-
suit in more economical as well as a
more efficient administration of the
land service.
fiscal year ending June 80. 1906, public
lands aggregating 19,431,1 87.47 acres.
The total cash receipts during the ifs
cal year from various sources, in
amounted to s6,52s, 477sS; and Indian
lands, 1867 1880; from depredations
on public lands. s47,740.23; from depre-
dations on Indian lands. sSS0.94; from
sales of timber. 1925; from sales OF
Government property. s10,542.s5. and
for furnishing copies Of records OF
plats, $30.225: aggregate. s7,5S5, 523.90
with the preceding fiscal year.
The following table compiled from re-
ports received from the various local
land offices gives. by States and Terri
tories. an approximate estimate of the
unappropriated public lands in the
public-land States and Territories al
the close of this fiscal year: