Semi-weekly herald., 1911-01-09

WSi tStSiNSup 1oBico NaoSo WNAO hH
vestigated. and 43,554 cases were clos.
ed. Four hundred and sixty-six civil
and criminal convictions were found;
S227,1l1.79 was rendered for settle
ment of trespasses on the public do
main; $114,653.05 was actually paid
in as the result of civil and criminal
actions. Four thousand Six hundred
and sixtyfive entries were Cancelled
as the result OF Investigations; 12,065
acres were restored through proceed
ings for the removal OF unlawful In
closures.
The area Oh public and Indian lands
included in original entries and filings
during the fiscal year 1910 is 26.391,-
269.09 acres, which Is an increase OF
6,49S. .765.33 acres over the area enter
ed during the year 1909.
The area patented during the fiscal
year 1910 is 10.9S3. .15012 acres, OF
which amount 7,404,59S acres was dis
posed OF under the homestead law.
The total cash receipts from the
sales of public lands, including fees
and commissioners. were SS.371 ,637.1C;
from the sales OF Indian lands, 81
037. .551.GS; reclamation water right
charges, $770,5S6.35; depredations on
public lands, sales of government prop
erty, and copies of records, S24S, 1888,
making the total cash receipts from
all sources in connection with the
public lands $11. .463, ,924.06, decrease
of $751;, .33 from the fiscal year 1903.
The excess OF receipts over all ex-
penditures and estimated liabilities OF
the public land service is $S,284, ,560.57.
There has been an increase over pre-
vious years in area OF lands entered,
but decrease in the acreage patented,
although patents issued have exceeded
in number those issued during the pre-
ceding year, showing a wider dis
tribution of the lands patented.
For the survey OF the public lands.
congress at the last session increased
the appropriations over former years,
auu dutHJllZeu lue dDdHuouuehl VI
the old contract method of surveys.
The reports thus far received from
the Department. surveying forces III
the field indicate that the surveys are
being made under the new system at
a reduced cost per acre, and at very
great increase of speed. Surveys that
have had heretofore to await years of
examination will now be adjusted and
approved, on receipt OF data from gov
ernment surveyors, without delay.
In view of the conflict between wa
ter power Withdrawals and applica-
tions for rights of way for purposes
OF irrigation, as well as the develop
ment OF power, the department is
granting. after field investigation,
rights of way for irrigation where the
value OF the site is found to be higher
for the reclamation OF arid lands than
for the development OF commercial
power. There have been also granted,
after field investigation, some revoca-
bic permits under the act OF 1901 in
cases where the claims had been ini'
tiated prior to withdrawal and ap-
peared not to conflict with the pub
lie interest. All applications of both
classes, however. have been granted
under stipulations designed to limit
and control the use. The system OF
granting revocable permits under the
act of 1901 is unsatisfactory both to
the government and the applicant and
tends to discourage investment and
healthful development Of such prof.
ects. especially in cases where large
capital is necessary for the construc-
ton of plants and works.