Omaha daily bee. (Omaha [Neb.]) 187?-1922, 1910-12-07

extensively equipped with mod
ern machinery which after investigation
the secretary Of the navy believes to be /
useless for naval purposes. He
asks authority 70 abandon certain Of them
and to move their machinery to other
places, where Il can be made OF use
In making these recommendation the
secretary is following directly along pro-
gressive lines which have been adopted in
our great commercial and manufacturing
consultations in this country: that Is. OF
dsmantling unnecessary and inadequate
plants and disseminating their existence
where It has been demonstrated that Il Is
Improbable to continue their maintenance
at an expense not commensurate to their
product.
The secretary points out that the most
important naval base in the West Indies
is Guantanamo. in the southeastern part Of
Cuba It's geographical situation is adj
mirably adopted TO protect the commercial
paths TO the Panama canal, and he shows
That by the expenditure Of less than half
a million dollars. with the machinery which
he shall take from other navy yards. he
can create a naval station at Guantanamp
Of sufficient size and equipment to serve
the purpose Of an emergency naval base.
! earnestly join in the recommendation
that he be given the authority which he
asks. l am quite aware that such action
Is likely to arouse local opposition: but l
conceive II to be automatic that in legis-
latng in the interest Of the navy. and for
the general protection Of the country by
the navy, mere local pride or pecuniary
interest in the establishment Of navy
yard or station ought to play no Fart. The
recommendation. OF the secretary Is based
upon the judgment OF impartial naval Off
GERS entirely uninfluenced by any geo.
graphical or sectional considerations.
unite with the secretary in the recon-
mendation that an appropriation he made
to construct suitable crypt at Annapolis
Tor the custody Of the remains or John
Paul Jones
Peary.
The complete success OF our country in
arctic exploration should not remain un-
noticed For centuries there has been
friendly rivalry in this field Of effort be-
tween the foremost nations and between
the bravest and most accomplished men.
Expeditions TO the unknown north have
been encouraged by enlightened govern
monts land deserved honOrs have been
! granted to the daring men who have con-
/ Quoted them. The unparalleled achieve
inent Of Peary IN reaching the north pole,
I April 6, 1903, approved by critical exam ma
ton Of the most expert scientists, has
added to the distinction of our navy, TO
/ which he belongs. and reflects credit upon
/ his country. His unique success has re-
| ceived generous acknowledgment from
scientific bodies and institutions Of learn
ing in Europe and America ] recommend
fitting recognition by congress Of the great
achievement Of Robert Edwin Peary.
Department of the Interior.
The secretary OF the interior recommends
a change of the law in respect TO the pro
cedure in adjudioatlng claims for lands
by which appeals can be taken from the
decisions OF the department to the court Of
appeals Of the district Of Columbia for g
judicial consideration OF the rights Of the
claimant. This change finds complete anal
ogy in the present provision for appeals
from the decisions OF the commissioner Of
patents. The judgments Of the court II
such cases would be of decisive value tS
land claimants generally and to the De
partment of the Interior In the admins
tration of the law, would enable claimants
to bring into court the final consideration
Of issues as to the title to government lanC
and would. 1 think obviate a good deal o.
the SUBSEQUENT uuBdllOn lual now dIlsel
in our western courts. The bill is pend
ing, 1 believe, in the house. having beer
favorably reported from the committee oil
public lands and recommend It's enact
ment.
one OF the difficulties in the Interior de
partment and in the land office has beel
the delays attendant upon the consldera
ton by the land office and the secretar
L. he tsHa 90 .1a n
public lands to individuals. 1 am glad t
say that under the recent appropriation
Of the congress and the earnest efforts O
the secretary and his subordinates thes
arrears have been disposed Of, and tn
work Of the department has been brough
more nearly up to date In respect to tn
pending business than ever before in II
history. Economies have been effecte
where possible without legislative Rssds
, Rnce, and these are shown in the reduce
, estimates for the expenses Of the depart
ment during the current fiscal year an
during the year to come.
The subject OF the conservation OF II
! public domain has commanded the after
Q ton OF the people within the last two
y three years.
I There is no need for radical reform
r the methods OF disposing Of what are real
n agricultural lands The present laws hay
r worked well. The enlarged homestead Ia
Z has encouraged the successful farming
3 lands In the semierid regions
;, The total sum already Accumulated in Il
< fund provided by the act for the reclaim
9 ton Of arid lands is about 500 AZ, 05s 7e, a.
s Of this all but S6,2l. o5s.T6 has been allott,
to the various projects. OF which there a
= thirty. Congress at its last session DIT
vided for the issuing OF certificates OF /
. debtedness not exceeding f20.000OOO, to
= redeemed from the reclamation fund wit
the proceeds OF lands sold and from 4
!. water rents should be sufficient Meantirr
n IN accordance with the provisions OF q
a law appointed a board Of army enginee
Ie to examine the projects and to ascerta
y which are feasible and worthy OF COMP
ID ton. That board has. made a report up
It the subject, which / shall transmit in
y seperate message within a few days
Conservation Addrenaea
In September last a conservation congro
o was held at st. Paul, at which / deliver
VI an address on the subject OF conservati
N so far as II was within the Jurisdiction a