The San Francisco call., 1907-06-18
DELEGATES ARRIVE FOR
LANDS CONVENTION
Hundreds to Meet in Denver
for Consideration of
Big Issues
GARFIELD is PRESENT
Secretary of Interior on
Hand as Roosevelt's
Special Envoy
GARFIELD is PRESENT

DENVER, June 17.-Seversl hundred
delegates from western states TO the
public lands convention called by Gov
ernor Henry A Buchtel OF Colorado.
under resolutions adopted by the gen.
eral assembly OF this state, arrived in
this. city today and an attendance OF
about 1000 delegates is expected
The convention meets tomorrow at
the Broadway theater. Governor Buch-
tel viii call the convention together and
briefly outline its objects. cautioning
the delegates against the injection Of
politics into their deliberations Either
United States Senator Thomas II. Carter
OF Montana or DR.. J. NJ Wilson OF wy
ouing, president of the national wool
growers association. will be named as
temporary chairman and Lieutenant
Governor Erastus B. Harper OF Colorado
is slated for permanent chairman.
James r Garfield, secretary of the In
terror. President Roosevelt's special en-
voy TO the convention. reached Denver
this afternoon clifford Pinchot OF the
forestry department F. H. Newell of
. the reclamation service and Richard A.
Ballinger OF the general land Office are
also here. prepared to explain the plans
OF the administration if given an oppor-
tunity- In an interview outlining the
presidents position on the public land
questions Newell said today:
The presidents whole policy is 10 secure bona
hde settlement 10 home seekers on the public
land Whst the president wants Is 10 regulate
the distribution OF lands they viii be divided
among the people who actually desire 10 make
He proposes that II the public range is 10 be
used Al al it should be fairly divided and that
. and his livelihood. should have the same benefits
the big Briefly stated. the question
AZ issue IS whether the administration IN endeav-
preventing him from securing land FOR settle
ment and being unjust TO the larger owners.
Delegates from Oklahoma who ar
rived today announced that the Okla
homa delegates. headed by Governor
Frank Frantz. viii support the presi-
dents policy.
fairs on a business basis They stopped
( the leaks. they inaugurated system and
method. dispIacing chaos and confu
. sion. soon getting every fund upon its
proper and cash basis.
Nor is this all. With the aid and
consent of the tax payers and other
built our splendid seawail-pai6 for II
in cash as II progressed. That was
one public contract, involving s1,25e,-
600, in which there was not one nickel
in rebates. commission or graft, the
people getting an honest return for
every dollar paid out So ii would ap
pear that the old form OF government
is good enough when placed in the
hands OF efficient, honest and success
terests as they would their own
RAISING OF GRADE
The details OF our grade raising and
filling work are under the supervision
Of a grade raising board. consisting
Of three OF our best citizens, who are
appointed by the governor. and this
board has entire control of that work.
except the financing OF same, which is
taken care of by our city government,
and ali payments made upon approval
of the grade raising board
The appointment by the governor
removes these officers from all politi-
cal or other evil influences. and in
sures continuance of>the work TO COM
/ pletion under the original satisfactory
management
Our public school system is under
the supervision and control of board
of trustees, elected by the people, and
all taxes assessed for educational pur-
poses are collected by the city and
7 turned over TO our school board for
distribution and maintenance of the
schools. In this particular branch OF
our government we have been very
( fortunate. for In its councils every OBJ
I jectionable feature which might enter
/ into its management has been entirely
! eliminated. and harmony and efficiency
prevail throughout the system.
Municipal reform must originate
with the people, but such movements
are generality delayed until forced
upon them by excesses and abuses, and,
whether caused by carelessness. incon-
i potency or graft, the result to the tax
payers is the same
Every civic administration can have
: just as good government as 2 majority
OF its citizens make an honest and ef-
fective effort TO have, and this can be
accomplished only by each citizen TAX
1 ing an active interest in seeing that
none but good and competent men are
! elected to office. Yours truly,
H A LANDES. Mayor President"