Omaha daily bee., 1910-12-07

nuluneIt ana there are several OF lNe-e
shipyards, extensively equipped with mod
ern machinery. which after investigation
the secretary Of the navy believes to be
entirely useless for naval purposes He
asks authority to abandon certain OF them
and to move their machinery to other
places, where II can be made OF use
In making these recommendations 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
dismantling unnecessary and Inadequate
plants and disseminating their existence
where Il 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. Its 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 Guantanamo
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. am quite aware that such action
Is hkely to arouse local opposition; but
conceive II TO be automatic that in leRis-
lHlihs 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 a navy
yard or station ought to play no part. 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 be made
to construct a suitable crypt at Annapolis
Tor the custody Of the remains Of 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
ments 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,
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
change Of the law in respect to the pro-
cedure in adjudicating 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 a
judicial consideration OF the rights Of the
claimant. This change finds complete anal
osy in the present provision for appeals
from the decisions of the commissioner of
patents. The judgments Of the court in
such cases would be OF decisive value to
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 land
and would, l think, obviate a good deal OF
the subsequent litigation that now arises
in our western courts. The bill is pend
ing, 1 believe in the house, having been
fayorably reported from the committee on
public lands and recommend its enact
ment.
One Of the difficulties in the Interior de-
partment and in the land office has been
the delays attendant upon the considera-
ton by the land office and the secretary
OF the Interior OF claims for patents OF
public lands to individuals. 1 am glad to
say that under tho recent appropriations
Of the congress and the earnest efforts OF
the secretary and his subordinates these
arrears have been disposed Of and the
work OF the department has been brought
more nearly up to date In respect to the
pending business than ever before in it's
history. Economies have been effected
where possible without legislative assist
ance, and these are shown in the reduced
estimates for the expenses Of the depart
ment during the current fiscal year and
during the year TO come.
The subject Of the conservation OF the
public domain has commanded the atten-
ton OF the people within the last two or
three years.
There lie no need for radical reform in
the methods OF disposing Of what are really
agricultural lands The present laws have
worked well. The enlarged homestead law
has encouraged the successful farming OF
lands in the semiarid regions.
The total sum already accumulated in the
fund provided by the act for the reclana-
ton OF arid lands is about Sss A. O5s. 7s and
Of this all but 3s,21. o5s. rs has been allotted
to the various projects OF which there are
thirty. Congress at its last session pro-
vided for the issuing Of certificates OF in
debtedness not exceeding S9O.OO0,OOO. to be
redeemed from the reclamation fund when
the proceeds OF lands sold and from the
water rents should be sufficient. Meantime
In accordance with the provisions OF the
law, appointed board Of army engineers
20 examine the projects and to ascertain
which are feasible and worthy OF compile
ton. That board has. made a report upon
the subject, which / shall transmit in
separate message within a few days.
Conservation AddreHses.
In September last a conservation coneress
was held at St Paul, at which / delivered
an address on the subject OF conservation
so far as Il was within the Jurisdiction and
possible action OF the federal government