Arizona republican., 1910-12-07

the secretary of the navy believes to be entirely useless for naval purposes. i He asks authority to abandon cer- tain of them and to move their ma- chinery to other places where it can be made use Of.
 The secretary points out that the most important naval base in the West Indies is GuanatamO. in the southern part of Cuba. Its geographi- cal situation is admirably adapted to protect the commercial path to the Panama canal. and he shows that by the expenditure of less than half a million dollars and the machinery which he will take from other navy yards he can create naval station at GuanatamO of sufficient size to serve the purpose of an emergency naval base. l earnestly join in the recommendation that he he given the authority which he asks. l unite with the secretary in the recommendation that an appropriation be made to con struct a suitable crypt at Annapolis for the custody of the remains of John Paul Jones.
 pEARY.
 The complete success of our coun- try in Arctic exploration should not remain unnociced The unparalleled achievement Of Peary in reaching the north pole April 6. 1909. approved by critical examination of the most ex- pert scientists. has added to the dis tinction of our navy. to which he be- longs. and reflects credit upon his country. His unique success has re- ceived generous acknowledgment from scientific bodies in Europe and Am erica. l recommend fitting recognition by congress of the great achievement of Robert Edwin PSeary.
 DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR.
 Appeals to Court in Land Cases The secretary of the interior recOm- mends a change in the law in respect to the procedure in adjudicating claims for land. by which appeals can be taken from the decisions of the department to the court of appeals Of the District of Columbia for a judi cial consideration Of the rights of the claimant.
 This change finds complete anal ogy in the present provision for ap- peals from the decisions of the com missioner of patents. The judgments of the courts ir such eases would be of decisive value to land claimants gen. erally and to the department of the interior in the adminiE ration of the law and would enable, claimants to bring into court the final consideration of issues as tn the title of government land. and would, I think. obviate a good deal of the subsequent litigation 1 that now arises in our N estern courts | The bill. is pending. I believe. in the | house. having been favOrably reported ] rom the committee om public lands l md I recommend its enactment
 One of the difficulties in the in- | erior department and in the land | office has been the delays attendant | lpon the consideration by the land | 'ffice and the secretary of the in- | erior of claims for patents of pub | ic lands to individuals. I am glad to iay that under the recent apTopria- ions Of congress and the earnest ef- orts of the secretary and his subor- inates. these arrears have been dis ] 'osed Of and the work of the depart nent has been brought more nearly ID to da te in respect To the pending
 
 ory. Economies have been effected 'here possible without legislative as- istal1ce and these are shown in the edu ced estimates for the expenses of he department during the current scal year and during the year to ome
 CONSERVATION.
 The subject of tshe conservation of ne public domain has commanded the tteDion of the people within the lst two or three years.
 AGRICULTURAL AL LANDS.
 Thereis no need 1or radical reform ! the methods of ,disposing of what re really agricultural lands The resent laws have worked well. The nlarged homestead law has eRcour- ged the successful farming of lands the semi-arid regions
 RECLAIM ATION.
 The total sum ah:eady accumulated
 the fund provided by the act for ;9.449.95S.76, and of this. all but '.241.G5S.76 has been allotted to the irious projects. of which there are irty. Congress tat its last session 'ovisled for the issuing of certifi- ltes of indebtedriess not exceeding OED0. 900. to be redeemed from the camation fund when the proceeds
 lands sold and from the water ms should be sufficient Meantime.
 accordance with the provisions of { H law, I appointed board of army {