that if such had been the practice from 1910 to 1914, inclusive, assuming that the same number of homesteads had been entered, it would have produced about $40,000,000. The experience of the Government in the sale of Indian lands tends to the belief that such a practice would not greatly deter settlement. UNAPPROPRIATED PUBLIC LANDS. Annually there is furnished to the public, in circular form, a tabulated statement or schedule showing, by States, land districts, and counties, the area of unappropriated and unreserved public lands, surveyed and unsurveyed, together with a brief description of the character of the vacant lands. While this schedule always carries the date line of July 1, it is usually issued at a much later date, sometimes several months, due to the extreme difficulty of securing the necessary statistics from the district land offices. This year, however, the necessary statistical information was so promptly furnished that the office was able to compile and issue the schedule ready for distribution by the last day of July. The schedule is printed as a part of this report: see page 200, Appendix. In this connection it should be stated that the description of the lands in the above-mentioned circular and table is of a very general character. The fact that the Government has made no general classification of all its public lands and is unable to give the public any description thereof by legal subdivisions has been the subject of much comment and no little criticism. The Geological Survey has done a large amount of work in the way of classification of mineral lands, and for the purposes of the enlarged-homestead act, but no general classification of agricultural land has ever been attempted, save the descriptions made by the surveyors in their field notes, which, while valuable and sufficient for that purpose, do not afford home seekers the detailed information they desire in seeking public lands for settlement and entry. In the past, the greatest amount of classification has been made by the settler who seeks out the land he desires to suit his purpose. I desire to suggest, therefore, for consideration, the question of whether or not it is advisable to recommend to Congress that provision be made for such a detailed classification and taking of stock, so to speak, of the public-land resources, both for the purpose of assisting the settler and to afford Congress more detailed and accurate information as a basis for future legislation. REPORTS ON BILLS. Incident to the other duties imposed upon the Commissioner of the General Land Office is the preparation of reports and data, for the use of the Secretary, on bills introduced in Congress affecting the disposition of the public land. It is true that legislation of this character includes many small bills for the relief of individual cases; but, on the other hand, the proposed legislation as a rule traverses a wide field, that not only requires for its proper consideration a thorough fundamental knowledge of all prior land legislation, but also a careful analysis of the decisions of the Federal courts and the United States Supreme Court construing such laws, together with a study of the subject matter involved. When the enactment of laws on lines of a constructive policy to meet new conditions is contemplated, time and attention without measure must be given, for it goes without saying that the most painstaking consideration should precede the enactment of all public-land laws. An unwise or ill-advised statute may readily lead to such complications as can only be remedied after years of litigation and heavy expense, and even then at the cost of our public domain. During the year that has passed the office has prepared reports on 285 separate bills. The number of bills upon which report is made in the first instance is not, however, much indication as to the actual labor involved, for it often happens the first report leads only to the opening of other fields of research and investigation, calling for additional reports as different phases of the proposed legislation develop under further consideration. LEGISLATION. In the last annual report a number of recommendations were submitted, with a view to securing new legislation the necessity for which had developed under the law as it theretofore stood. Among the subjects thus suggested were the demarcation of boundaries between certain States; consolidation of the Carey Acts; similar legislation with respect to the several right-of-way acts; provision for the forfeiture of rights of way acquired under the acts of March 3, 1875 (18 Stat., 482), and March 3, 1891 (26 Stat., 1095), on account of nonuser; amendment of laws relating to Alaska; provision for a final proof taking officer; equalization of fees in public-land proceedings; and provision for an additional assistant commissioner. A number of these suggestions have found expression in legislation now pending before Congress, notably that with respect to the Carey Acts and the laws relating to public lands in Alaska. At the present time I find no reason to modify my views expressed on these subjects, and therefore renew my recommendations with respect thereto. GENERAL RESULTS. On the whole I believe that I am justified in the statement that results indicate that the Land Department has made good progress during the fiscal year 1914. As a rule the work has been brought more nearly current, a number of weak points in the organization have been strengthened, and numerous difficult questions have been settled, though many still confront us. I feel that in the main we have had the full cooperation of all employees in this and subordinate offices. Registers, receivers, and surveyors general are getting out of the habit of viewing those offices as political sinecures and are doing real substantial work, in many instances of a high order. This bureau has endeavored at all times, to the best of the ability of those in charge, to administer the important governmental matters within its jurisdiction as required by law and to carry out the broad, constructive policies you have from time to time outlined for the progress and permanent upbuilding of the public-land States and for the general welfare. Very respectfully, CLAY TALLMAN, Commissioner. The SECRETARY OF THE INTERIOR. STATISTICS RELATING TO THE DISPOSITION OF THE PUBLIC DOMAIN. Area of States and Territories. [Based upon careful joint calculations made in the General Land Office, the Geological Survey, and the Bureau of the Census.] Owing to their location adjoining the Great Lakes, the States enumerated below contain approximately an additional number of square miles as follows: Illinois, 1,674 square miles of Lake Michigan; Indiana, 230 square miles of Lake Michigan; Michigan, 16,653 square miles of Lake Superior, 12,922 square miles of Lake Michigan, 9,925 square miles of Lake Huron, and 460 square miles of Lakes St. Clair and Erie; Minnesota, 2,514 square miles of Lake Superior; New York, 3,140 square miles of Lakes Ontario and Erie; Ohio, 3,443 square miles of Lake Erie; Pennsylvania, 891 square miles of Lake Erie; Wisconsin, 2,378 square miles of Lake Superior and 7,500 square miles of Lake Michigan. In addition to the water areas noted above, California claims jurisdiction over all Pacific waters lying within 3 English miles of her coast; Oregon claims jurisdiction over a similar strip of the Pacific Ocean 1 marine league in width between latitude 42° north and the mouth of the Columbia River; and Texas claims jurisdiction over a strip of Gulf water 3 leagues in width, adjacent to her coast and between the Rio Grande and the Sabine River. 590, 884 3, 435 77 |