Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1929-08-27
HOOVER PROPOSES
| LAND COMMISSION
Body to Study Reclamation
Policies With Idea of Giving
States More Power.

TUIlCIGS WIFI IuGd VI 0lvIIiy
States More Power.
With q view to carrying out more
intensive land conservation program,
President Hoover will shortly appoint
special commission to investigate the
entire subject.
The Presidents objective is to have
the State authorities cooperate with
the Federal Government, which CO.
operation will include the transferring
to the Federal Government by the
states Of surface rights regarding State
owned properties. In making this known
1T the White House today 1t was stated
that the Presidents proposal to appoint
such a commission was unanimously
approved by the conference OF govern
ors of certain Western States now meet
ing In Salt Lake City. President Hoover
hopes that this will be the first step
toward bringing about more positive
and complete conservation OF LANDS. he
is known to be concerned about the So
called range countries because they nave
grazing facilities are rapidly diminish
ing. He would not be surprised TO see
the range lands absolutely worthless for
pasturage within the next so years
unless something is done in the matter
of conservation in the meantime.
The conservation step will not only
concern soil and the improvement OF
water supplied and water storage. put
would simplify the relations between
the States and the Federal Government.
Moreover. the transfer Of surface rights
to the Federal Government would make
A. possible for a more constructive rec
lannation program for the future. 1t also
would contribute to the improvement
of the preservation of forest lands.
Proposal Made In Letter.
SALT LAKE CITY. August ~ R.-
Drastic changes in the relations between
the Federal and State Governments IN
respect to the public lands and recla-
nation service were suggested by Presi-
dent Hoover in q letter to Joseph M.
Dixon. Assistant Secretary Of the Int
rior, which was read yesterday by that
oficial at a meeting of the governors
of the Public Land States.
The President disclosed that ne pro-
poses to appoint commission OF or
10 members, at least Of whom Will
he Of the Public Land States. TO study
the policies now being pursued and the
changes in existing laws which ne
might recommend to Congress. HIS
idea is to bring about a greater measure
of control by the State governments
themselves.
Plans Constructive Policies.
"c;enerally I may state" the Chief
Executive wrote, that il Is my desire
Ia work out more constructive policies
for conservation in our grazing iands,
our water storage and our mineral re-
sources, at the same time cheek the
growth of Federal Bureaucracy, reduce
Federal interference in AFFAIRS OF essen
TALLY local interest, and thereby IN
crease the opportunity OF the states 70
govern themselves. and In all OBTAIN
better government"
Tentatiye suggestions put forward by
Mr. Hoover for the consideration OF the
commission, the members Of which from
the public land States would be taken
from lists to be supplied by the state
governors, included:
Public lands-That the surface rlgnts
of the remaining unapproprlateo, unre-
served public lands subject 10 certain
details for the protection OF homestead
ers and the smaller stockmen. De trans
ferred to the State governments Tor pup,
lie school purposes and thus be placed
under State administration.
Plans for Water Storage.
Reclamation service-That the direc-
tion of the reclamation service be re-
oriented primarily as to the storage OF
water and to simplify its administration.
That the reclamation service for all new
projects be confined to the construction
of permanent works, that Is dams ana
such construction as results IN water
storage, and at their completion the
entire works be handed over to the
States with no obligation for repay
rnent to the reclamation fund except
such revenues as might arise from cleo
trical power and in some cases 1or the
sale of water until the outlay has been
repaid.
That the Reclamation Service be au-
thoriged to join with States and local
or private individuals 1or
the creation of water storage for irri-
cation purposes.
Mineral resources: That abuse OF per-
mits for mineral development or un-
necessary production or waste In the
resources must be vigorously
prevented.
Reciting that as result Of his order
further issue OF ou-pros-
pecting permits on public lands there
viii be a reduction of permits covering
40 600 600 acres of the public domain
to these affecting only 100000 acres.
the President wrote that the public DO
main Is being rapidly cleared OF the
abuses heretofore existing.
Representatives OF IL western states
meeting here yesterday, received from
the United States Government proher
of a gift of some 200 000, 600 acres OF
public lands, regarded It askanee and
decided to think 1t ever until today.
Gov. George II. Dern Of Utah, who
took the floor after George M. Dixon,
First Assistant Secretary Of the In
terror, had made the offer as President
ioover's spokesman, expressed the fear
that what looks at o distance like a
fine, large horse" might turn out on
closer inspection to be a white ele-
plant.
other speakers took different view,
and while some Of them were not as en-
thusiastic as might be when gifts are
in question others urged that the public
land States should take all they could
get now and hope for more later.
The difference Of opinion arose over
eral rights to the land, together with
the forests and other acreage set aside
for specific purposes, such as national
parks and Indian reservations, be with
held from the grant to the States.
without the forest lands and the
minerals, Gov. Dern insisted, the land
would be more OF liability than an
asset to the States which would have
to administer it.