The commercial. (Union City, Tenn.) 190?-193?, 1906-01-05

ditions has already been brought about by
range control on the forest reserves, and
that the great bulk of the western stock
men are definitely in favor of government
control OF the open range.
Fifth' pom facts presented at many
public meetings held throughout the West
and upon tnnumerable SuggeS tons which
have been received and considered.
Your commission concurs in the opinion
of the stockmen that some form OF gov
eminent control Is necessary at once, but
Is opposed to the immediate application OF
any definite plan to all of the grazing
lands alike, regardless of local conditions
or actual grazing value. The following
uai application 10 each locality Of a
form Of control specifically suited TO
that locality, whether IL may be APP
Your commission recommends that suit
able authority be given to the Presl-
dent to set aside, by proclamation, certain
grazing districts or reserves. To the Sec
rotary of Agriculture. in whose depart,
ment Is found the special acquaintance
with range conditions and livestock ques-
lions which is absolutely necessary for the
wise solution of these problems, authority
should be given to classify and appraise
the grazing value of these lands, to APP
point such officers as the care of each
grazing district may require, to charge
and collect a moderate fee for grazing
permits, and to make and apply definite
and appropriate regulations TO each graz
ing district. These regulations should be
framed and applied with special reference
20 bringing about the largest permanent
occupation of the country by actual set
tiers and home seekers. All land covered
by any permit so given should continue
TO be subject to entry under reasonable
regulations notwithstanding such permit.
Mining Laws.
Your commission has not yet found II
possible to take up the extremely tmpor-
tant subject of the revision of the mining
laws with the thoroughness which 1t de-
serves. From the evidence already sub
mitted 1t Is obvious that important
changes are necessary, both in the United |
States ami in Alaska. Tine commission
hopes 10 treat this matter more at length
in subsequent report.
Rights Of Way.
Year after year the question Of rights OF
way across the public lands and reserva-
tions has been called to the attention OF
the Congress In the reports of the Secre-
tary OF the Interior and the Commissioner
of the General Land Office. The laws on
this subject are numerous and apparently
often incongruous. Rights of way are
granted contingent upon the execution or
WORK within definite time, but decisions
and practices are now in force under
which it has become almost Impossible 70
divest the public lands OF the incubus OF
these rights, granted conditionally in the
first place. but still in existence. although
the conditions were not fulfilled.
Rights such as these are very numerous.
They lie dormant uatii actual development
has begun to take place, either under the
reclamation act or otherwise; then they
appear In enormous numbers to the very
serious hindrance of new enterprises.
Your commission is engaged on a study of
this subject and will report hereafter
upon II.
Attention is called again to the recon-
mendation of your commission in its pre-
vious report thereto attached that entry
of agricultural lands included I'm forest re-
serves be permitted under surveys 10y
metes and bounds, and special emphasis Is
dire ted to the recommendation. which is
here renewed, that in such cases actual
residence at home on the land be rigidly
required and that no Communication be al
lowed
Large and Small Holdings.
Detailed study OF the practical operation
of the present land laws. particularly 81 ,
the nnsnrf In nd anf and III nfnnf liNn