Arizona republican., 1911-12-19
Secretary Tells Governors They Should Help in Sc curing Necessary Legisla- tion for the Public Do- main.
GIVES PLAN FOR
 MANY REFORMS
Meeting Held at St. Paul is Important Matter and May Result in Settlement of Long Disputed Public Question.

ST. PAUL. Dec 1S.-After hearing and their accredited representatives outline what in their opinion is wrong with the present administration of the | laEl laws. and what is needed for the | further development of the west, Sec ! rctary of the Interior Fisher explained l today to the congress of western gov ernors the administrations policy re gardlcss of public lands Secretary Fish cr agreed with most speakers that many evils in connection with the land laws should be corrected. but said he hal no power to correct them. That was matter that should be put mp to congress and he asked the assistance or the western governors in assuring needed legislation.
 Secretary Fisher said the fundamen- tai thing needed is authority to clas- sify public lands according to their real value anu then provide laws for the effectual disposition of each class such as timber. mineral, grazing and the like. He said his purpose is to get unappropriated public lands into the hands of bona fide settlers as soon as possible. and yet maintain the purpose of the laws. He said present restric- tive legislation aims to discriminate between actual settlers and the eX- ploiter. He defended the leasing sys- tenn as the only way in which the pub lie domain can be preserved for all the people. although often it seems to work a hardship on individuals.
 At outlined by Governor Morris. of Montana. the sense of the meeting is in favor of the following propositions: T0 pXpediate reclamation and reduce. wherever possible the cost to the sett- Ter. To expediate examination and classification of withdrawn lands. to eliminate from withdrawal areas found not to be valuable for the purpose for which they have been withdrawn. To expedite the survey of the entire pHb-
 lie domain So far as possible to re- move restrictions that are VeXatious to the settlers in making annual final proofs to title. That the proposed leasing power of sites and mineral lands shall be made not for federal revenue but for state revenue if any revenue be received. To prevent any restrictions not necessary: and to pre- vent exploitation by the interests. Settlers should be allowed certain points of forest reservations for the purpose of constructing firehreaks.
 Considerable criticism was directed at the so-called red tape" in the ad- ministration of the land laws which se fn rs.f.t .tT-fI- irg settlement all through the west and divcrting immigration to Canada h. answering this criticism. Secretary Fisher said much of this was due to the present laws: that individual in- spcCtion of claims and the consequent oi delay was to prevent exploitation.
 If timber lands are classified as such" he said. we do not have tO withdraw them to save them" In Sug- sesting reforms in mining laws. See r, tary Fisher advocated aboiiShing of the power of attorney and the apex theory of mining laws. and said the fundamental requirement. should Dc developed The secretary said the administration had been pursuing too liberal policy in the reclamation service. that irrigation laws are un- wise, and ought to be changed; that ii the entire public domain is to be surveyed that money will have to be appropriated for the geological survey He said the leasing system is the only way power can be saved for the peo- pie. but the revenue therefrom should not go to the government. He ad- vocated the leasing system of grazing lands