The daily sentinel., 1912-01-08

] poses. lnefe is also serious need,
he declares, for the enlargement of
the work of the bureau of mines
Conservation Not Hindiance.
'The great movement for the con-
servation of our national resources. ."
says Secretary Fisher, lis not in any
way opposed to prompt and wise de-
velopment of the public domain. The
essential thing is to see that under
the guise of settlement, we do not
permit mere exploitation. which in
the last analysis retards both settle
ment and development" He recon-
mends therefore, certain modifica-
tions of existing laws relating to the
public domain so as to permit its pro-
per development
Should Help Homcsteaders.
Many of the restrictive provisions
which now irritate and hamper the
bona fide settler and industrial pio-
neer. should be removed, he says.
The man on the ground hould be
the object of our solicitude, and we
should protect him against those who
place upon his shoulders any unnec-
essary BURDEN
In regard to agricultural land set
tiers, Secretary Fisher holds that the
law should insist absolutely upon
cultivation but should permit the
relaxation of the rule requiring res
idence during the first two years" in
some cases on account of conditions
there being mo reason whatever for
insisting upon the requirement of ac-
tual residence at the outset"
Repay Reclamation Charges.
Some modification of the law in re-
gard To repayment of reclamation
charges is recommended and II change
in the law is proposed To permit the
settlers mt any time after five years
from date of entry and after he has
lived for three years upon his land.
to acquire title To the property.
No land should he open to home
stead entry" he declares, except
that which is really suitable for
homes; and then the homeseeker
should he aided in every proper way"
Enlarge Leasin.s.
Tin fact, the enlarged application
OF the leasing principle to the pub
lie domain generally. will in my
Judgment. more effectually promote
development and protect the public
interest than the present system.
Certainly coal. oil. gas, asphalt. nj
trate, and phosphate lands can he
more appropriately developed by the
leasehold than by the present system
of classification and sale of the fee
which prevails with respect to coal.
In respect to such leasing in Alas
ka, the secretary recommends that
passage of liberal but carefully
guarded leasing law for the develop
ment of its mineral resources, and es-
pecially for its coal lands Alaska's
great resources are her minerals and
in the development of these. the pres
cious metals still hold the predomi-
nant place. Careful consideration of
provisions of an appropriate leasing
law for the coal lands of Alaska is
being continued through the direct
or of the bureau of mines with a view
to suggesting such changes in or sub
stitute for bills on this subject which
are now pending in congress. as may
be desirable"
Wants Patent Building.
He concurs in the recommendation
of specially appointed board which
suggested the appointment of an In
ternational Colorado River Commiss-
ion, to be composed of American and
Mexican engineers, to work out the
treatment of that problem.
A modern and properly equipped
building for the patent office. addi-
tional mine safety cars for the bureau
of mines. the reestablishment of the
board of pension appeals. and in
creased resources for federal bureau
of education to carry on its work. are
among the other recommendations in
the report.
Should Move Patents.
The secretary calls attention anew
to the Inconsistent manner in which
the work of the government has been
divided among the interior, agricul-
tural and commerce and labor de
partments "The patent office" he
saws. "should be under the denart-