The Monte Vista journal., 1909-12-04

Indian Bureau.
Washington, Nov. 2s.-The annual
report to the president OF Richard A.
Ballinger, secretary Of the interior.
was made public to-day and makes In
terestinE reading. The report covers
. portion of the time under the ad-
ministration Of James R. Garfield. and
Mr.. Ballinger gives him credit for his
earnest and EN- cient services.
Secretary Ballinger comments on
the old public land statutes, and con-
tinues:
THE liberal and rapid disposition of
the public lands under these statutes
and the lax methods Of administration
which for a long time prevailed nat
urally provoked the feeling that the
public domain was legitimate prey for
the INSCRIPTIONS and that 1t was no
crime to violate or circumvent the
land laws. It 10 to be regretted that
We. ~ . nation. were so tardy to real
ise the Importance Of preventing so
large . measure Of our natural re-
sources passing into the hands Of land
pirates and spectators, with no view
to development looking to the national
welfare.
Must Continue Prosecutions.
1T may be safely said that millions Of
acres Of timber and other lands have
been unlawfully obtained, and 1t is
also true that actions to recover such
lands have in most instances long
since been barred by the statute of
limitations. Tho principal awakening
to our wasteful course came under
your predecessors administration. The
bold and vigorous prosecutions of land
frauds through Secretaries Hitchcock
and Garfield. have restored a salutary
respect for the law. and the public
mind has rapidly grasped the impor-
lance OF safeguarding the further dis
position of our national resources in
the public land ID the interest OF the
public good ~ against private greed.
Notwithstanding this. 1t Is necessary
to continue with utmost vigor. through
all available sources. the securing OF
Information Of violations Of the public
land laws and to follow such viola
tons with rigid prosecutions.
Uss Private Enterprise.
IN this present policy Of conserving
the natural resources Of the public do
main, while development 10 the key
note, the best thought Of the day Is
not that development shall be by ma
tional agencies. but that wise utiliza
ton shall be secured through private
enterprise under national supervision
and control. Therefore. II material
progress 10 to be made in securing the
best use Of our remaining public lands
congress must be called upon to enac,
remedial legislation"
Mr.. Ballinger then gives In detail
his recommendations for the classifi
cation Of public lands. and the fea
lures Of Q measure which he advises
for the direction of the disposal ol
water power sites.
The Reclamation Service.
Concerning the reclamation service
the report says In part:
I'm view OF the Importance OF
speedy completion OF existing projects
and their proper extension. ana Of thu
necessity IN 1912 OF an adjustment be
tween the states by which the majo'
portion OF the funds arising from thu
sale Of public lands within each STATE
and territory shall have been ex
pended 20 far ~ practicable within
such state or territory. and In view
Of the importance Of making . bene
nciai use OF waters already ap
propriated or capable Of approprta
tioa to which rights may b los
for nouuss. I believe Al urgent ap
PEAL should b made 70 coagrsss 4
authorize the issuance of certificates
Of indebtedness. or Of bonds agains
The reclamation fund. 70 IN aggregate
q not exceeding so. ~. 900. or .,
much thereof ~ may b ussded."
Energetic reorganisatioo Of the II
dian bureau 10 In progress, says Nj
Ballinssr, and be recommsnAs tina
he loliaa warehouses q NV Yorh
CAieaeo, Omaha. g. Lsa10 ~ -,
reaacisco b closed - soea - poa
dbss. A more advanced policy n
spscsias The maintenaAee. Improve
nsas asd operation Of ~ Ysiowstoe'
~ Yosemite national parks y urge
a the government.