The Detroit times. [volume] (Detroit, Mich.) 1903-1920, 1909-03-29
PRESIDENT TAT 7
/ RELENTLESS ON
LAND THIEVES
sEcRETARv sALrfNoER TO CON,
TINuEssosE PLANNED
~ oxAFIECp-w.nNER RE.
MAINS IN PENSION BUREAU.

w AonIANNlONs htAN
IL TO be no 3et-up In the eradication of
the evils from the vast interests
which are under the jurisdiction OF
the department OF the interior. says
John Callahan OLoughlin. IN dis
patch TO the Chicago Record-Herald.
The new secretary, X. A. Ballinger,
has announced his purpose 20 continue
the Garfield policies of reform with
such notifications Gnd even complete
changes as in his judgment may seem
desirable.
The man who has acquired public
lands. whether agricultural, timber, or
coal. fraudulently. has as much reason
TO fear. the interior department OF to-
day as he had during the Roosevelt
administration. Mr.. Ballinger pro-
poses to.increase the force OF specin.
agents for the double purpose of clos
ing up as rapidly as possible pending
Investigations, which are disturbing
to western homemakers. and TO ferret
out attempts to cheat the government.
These agents will be employed under
the provisions in the sundry civil law
appropriating s1o0o,00o to enforce
existing public land laws.
The instructions given 10 the agents
forbid them 10 presume man guilty
OF violation of law. They are required
to keep their own counsel and report
facts and not suspicious to the depart
ment. IL the charges be supported by
SUFFICIENT evidence prosecution will fol.
low, no matter what the position OF
the offender may be.
In the interest of efficient admins
tration, Mr.. Ballingcr is making few
changes In the personnel OF his de-
partment. Thurs he has given assur-
ances that Vespasian Warner OF ILL
nois, the commissioner OF pensions. is
to be retained in his present office.
This decision unquestionably will b,
gratifying to the old soldiers and ac-
ceptable to the country. Mr.. Warner
has served as commissioner for four
years. During that period he has re-
duced the operating expenses OF his
bureau more than 81 ,000,. >, while a
the same time executing new orders
and laws under which Thousands OF
names have been added to the pension
rolls.
Work Was Behind.
When Mr.. Warner assumed ofiee
the work OF the bureau was one year
behind Today 1t ~ up to date. As
an indication of what he has done, the
attention or the secretary was called
to the way In which he had enforced
the act OF Feb. 6, 1907, which grants
sYeFsions to persons who served 30
days or more In the army or navy
during the civil war, or 60 days In the
Mexican war.
!. From the date OF the approval IF
this act to-June, 80 last, AL. l33 appl.
cations were fled Car pensions or in-
grease of pensions. AL but 5000 had
been disposed of when the fiscal year
closed, Not a single complaint has
been received from any source IN con-
fection with Mr. Warmers admlnistra-
tfon. and the president and Secretary
Ballinger believe IL desirable under
the circumstances that he should re-
main in public service.
~ Two other subordinates of Secretary
Ballinger have been requested to re-
main-Fred bennett, OF North Dakota.
commissioner of the general land o.
nee. and Francis f. Leupp. commits
eioner of Indian affairs. Mr. bennett
was assistant commissioner when Mr.
Hallinger was the commissioner two
years ago. He is in entire sympathy
with the policies of AIS superior
II is understood that the secretary
proposes to take notice OF the agita-
ton throughout tho west respecting q,
public land laws and ii Is likely he
will urge that all lands be brought
under general classification, defined
as agricultural lands. pasture lands.
timber lands, and coal lands.
q Agricultural lands will include all
lands suitable for agricultural pur.
poses. or capable of being brought
under cultivation. or capable If pro.
ducing crops of wild hay or suitable
for agricultural purposes when artl.
fcially irrigated. Pasture lands will
cover all lands wholly unfit for cult
vation. or which cannot under any
reasonable conditions, be brought
under cultivation.
=. No. More Preserves Sought.
n. Ali lands outside OF national forests
containing timber suitable for lumber
Ing purposes will be classed as timber
lands until the timber shall have been
removed, when they will be consid.
cred as agricultural. pasture or min
eral lands. as the case may be.
Coal lands will comprise all lands
containing deposits OF coal which car.
be mined at a profit. provided they
hhall not be more valuable .or deposits
Uf gold, silver. copper or other metals.
Il Is not the intention OF Mr.. Bal
finger TO recommend to the president
the creation of any more reserves at
the present time. Indeed, he Is exam
lining the reservations which have been
made. and In the case o: coal lands
particularly. he is restoring tn entry
those containing low grade OF Ignite.
Mr.. Ballinger caused CONSERVATION
among the governors of the territories
by issuing an order requiring them to
stay at home and perform their duties.
lie now has in mind thorough inves-
tigation OF the reclamation service.