New-York tribune., 1907-08-28
GARFIELD Is PLEASED.
TELLS OF WESTERN TRIP.
Secretary of Interior Satisfied scith
Departments Work.
From The Tribune Bureau !


Washington Aug 27.-James r. Garfield, Sec
retary of the Interior has returned to Washing
ton after a ten weeks absence. during which he
has visited the of most of the great FEDERAL
irrigation projects, a large number OF pubic
land offices and numerous Ipdian agencies
The purpose of my trip to get in closer
touch with the problems with which TINS de-
partment has to DEAL said Secretary Garneid
to-day. and l feel that 1 was entirely success
full. / travelled a great many miles. but 1t was
through most interesting country-the West is
always interesting. / met the people-Repuo-
licans and Democrats alike-learned their views
went into the more remote regions and inspected
the work of our agents. I greatly pleased
with the work of the department and its repre-
sentatives, and I think succeeded in explaining
the aims and purposes of this department as
they never have been understood before.
''In the past the Interior Department has peen
a sort of vague government bureau, seVerdi
thousa nd miles away. There has been reehne
that washington did not understand the condi-
tions in the West. and that too often our de-
cisions based supposition rather tflan
actual KNOWLEDGE II was that irnpression-per-
haps to some extent, that situation-Wh1cn
sought to correct. and think have succeeded
will there be any material changes IN tie
noIicies Of the department the result OF your
trip" he asked.
NO. I see reason for making any ioi
changes" replied Mr. Garfield
.'Wiu the policy of the department WITH re-
gard to leasing the coal and mineral lanoS' ne
the same in the past?'
.,Nothing have seen has inclined me 10 de-
viate from the policy outlined in the PRESIDENT
last annual message" he replied our poncS
will continue TO be the segregation or the nliii-
eraI deposits from the surface. the latter 10 De
rrxyiSn
m anv mineral deposits shall remain in the gov
arn,,ent while anv minerals which may be dis
covered shall be leased TO private operators oii
q royalty basis. .,,s
"I visited the head men Of the FIVE clVllized
tribes. with the exception of the Seminoies' III
their several capitals and talked Win 'iie'h nc
earding their lands. the school ques'ioii anu
o,bar interests and 7 also visited nutloer W
the larger Indian agencies. I was much gra'lneo
with the conditions found and With tiie WI "
the Indian bureau generally
rs there any danger that the sose
,,,r he unable to dispose of all Of It's irrigated
VIZ -;,os ,,,b,cb will reimburse it for the
cost Of irrigation?
~ 81. least There is ample demand 10
..La all the land we have irrigated at the prices
xad found In some places disposltloh W
.,L the government to donate the cost OF 1rri-
oa,,o, IN convert the funds 1T has expehoeu
into q eratuity but promptly explained lid'
that was out Of the question. tnat IL "ouiu "e
N absolute violation Of the spirit OF the iesiSid
,io, and that I was quite sure Congress "ouiu
never consent so far to abandon 'ne pun ip'
and spirit of the irrigation act
..ybat q, the tales OF scandal which have ap-
neared in the papers from time TO Time.
..-rbars fs no foundation for them whatever
Chief Engineer Newell has organized a torce 0i
able and entirely praiseworthy engineers, WHO
are doing splndid work. l must aoihlt l ""s
surprised to hear littlt complaint 'aiheu
with the engineers with the contractors ana
-.:.t, .ha -aon1e and all are satisfied that the
work is progressing well ana along 'iioi'Us-iS
honest and efficient lines
Then. Mr. Secretary. You are satlsned that
the service of the Interior Department is not
fued with abuses which call for immediate cor
rec,ton and is not based on policies Wnlch are
,,psound and demand radical reversal
%, s-.sir1v am OF course do not pre-
tend that the service is perfect. but founo 10
sIaring defects and reason TO revise any
,r,nortant policies At the same time. the ruii
a,d frank discussion which enjoyed with nu-
merous intelligent Western men VIII eraole me
TO apprehend their viewpoint and WILL oe-
lteve prove of the greatest usefulness IN my
future work
Secretary Garfield is the nrst secretary Vi INC
1n,arior TO go through the territory most
vitality affected by the administration OF MS de-
,ortr,art and to learn at first hand the views
- ,ba yyAstern people Numerous reports
have reached Washington expressing the appre-
citation of the people and their gratincatloh at
the interest he has displayed and the common
sense method he has employed toward ooiiter-
atine anv differences which may have. arisen
between them and the Department of the IN
terror.
n1EpY 11IYEn InYIIRInIISIY