22 The Oregon Surveyor | Vol. 47, No. 1 Surveyors in the News By Pat Gaylord, PLS The Morning Oregonian October 14, 1907 We’ve all come across GLO surveys that seemed to lack in quality. In 1907, a General Land Office Commissioner set out to fix the problem of shoddy public land surveys and back room deals. REFORM IN SURVEYS Commissioner Ballinger Proposes Radical Changes. RID SYSTEM OF GRAFT Government Jobs Are Let Out to Incompetent Contractors Who do 'Scabby" Work —More Pay for Surveyors-General OREGONIAN NEWS BUREAU, Washington, Oct. 13—If the administration adopts the very sensible views of Commissioner Ballinger of the General Land Office, and if Congress can be induced to enact the necessary legislation, there will be a radical change in the method of making public land surveys. The system now in vogue is cumbersome, slow and ineffective. It is obsolete. It is wrong from the ground up, and both the government and the settler is made to suffer. The government surveys of today are made by deputy surveyors, not in the federal service, but working under contract. In a great many instances, the contractors are “scabs,” and their work is decidedly “scabby.” The contracts are frequently let to political or personal friends of Surveyors- general, and many a contract of this character has gone to pay off a political obligation on the part of a Surveyor-general or of the man who put the Surveyor-general OREGON CHS US MONEY MAKERS Dairying in Washington County Farmers' Most Profitable Industry. BUYING HIGH-GRAD- E STOCK Patrons of Condensed Milk Factory Meet With Company Managers and Discuss Methods for Bettering Business vf Both. FOREST GROVE. Or., Oct. 13. (Special.) The second annual Patrons Meet-In- s of the dairymen sending milk to the Pacific Coast Condensed Milk Company was held here Saturday, and was as much of a success as the first meeting a year ago. There are about 1000 patrons living within a radius of a dozen miles, and nearly all were present, many of them bringing their wives and children. They were the guests of the company, and noondav lunch was served to all In ? one of the bis: storage rooms at the con-- denser. While It was not served with the accessories of silver and china that would mark a banquet, yet it was abundant and varied, and healthy appetites were not marred by absence of style. After lunch the assemblage was called to order by Superintendent Stuart, who extended a word of welcome and explained the object of the company In calling these annual meetings. It was to make the patrons acquainted with .each other and to show them just what the company was doing on its part In building up the business. They were all Interested alike in this matter, and all wanted to secure best possible results for their efforts. Senator Haines was then introduced, who, as a business man of the town, extended a welcome to the patrons of the condenser. He told of the growth of the little city since the factory was located here, nearly doubling in live years. It had also been of great benefit to the farming community. In former times the farmer harvested his crop and received his pay once a year, but now he received his pay twelve times a year. ( Then the merchant had to carry the account until the grain crop was sold, but now the farmer has his cash In his pocket and pays cash as he goes. Farmers' Enviable Position. President Ferrin of Pacific University also gave a word of welcome. He was glad to see here the men and women who were producing the wealth of the country. Never were the whole people so prosperous as now, and the wealth of the nation came from the ground the farms, the mines and the forests. In lfms, JUO.000,000 worth of gold was mined in this cojintry. but the farms yielded seven thousand million dollars' worth of ana every iubmi wuch inc ou Vproauci, this country it is $10,000,000 richer than the day before, because of the products of the farms. With the abundant prosperity given them they ought to give their sons and daughters the hisher educational advantages now required for the new positions in life. Byron Hunter, from the Agricultural College at Corvallls, talked on results of their observations in producing dairy feeds. He believed kale to be the best green feed. If planted early It would he ready to commence on by the last of August, and would continue good until next April. He recommended planting In long narrow strips next to driveways, so it could be loaded on wagons or sleds without driving over ground In wet weather. Rye and vetch sowed in September would make good feed the following Summer, after kale was gone. He also 'urged farmers to get the bulletins of the State and National Agricultural Departments, which were free, and contained the results of the studies of experts on the various subjects discussed. Patrons Company's Partners. A. D. Barber, of the company, talked at length of their plans and wishes. He said the company and lis patrons were partners, and he wanted them to understand fuly what they were doing. The company wanted to make money, but It realized that it could do It best by helping the patrons to make money. Then they would furnish more milk, and that was what the company needed to build up its business. The company had recommended breeding up fhe dairy herds and is aiding It by helping to get better cows and more of them. The Holstein has been found the best dairy cow, and the oompany is aiding In bringing In many of that breed. He . said It was a crime to slaughter heifer calves from good dairy cows. The business at this factorv had Increased SO Mt per cent, the past year, and the company wanted It to increase more. The cream Is now shipped to Russia. Australia, and recently an order was sent to the Fiji Islands. This wide market enabled the company to pay better prices than it could otherwise. He wanted the farmers to buy more cows and better cows cows that would give 40 to 60 pounds of milk per day Instead of 10. He answered many questions about prices and plans and was listened to with great Interest. Dairy Counties Growing Fast. J. W. Bailey, .State Food and Dairy Commissioner, told of the results of his observations In traveling over the State. Counties devoted to grain growing were decreasing in population, but counties engaged In dairying were Increasing rapidly. The dairy counties were the pros perous counties, where land was growing In value. He gave an amusing account of a talk he had not long since with James Wilson. Secretary of Agriculture. Mr. Wilson would hardly believe that kale was a valuable cow feed, and he refused to believe that it would produce SO tons per acre. Mr. Bailey told of dairying in Holland, where each acre of land was supporting an average of 3 3 cows. He declared! that the Willamette Valley would do as well. He also indorsed milking machines as a success, and told what he had seen them doing In dairies in this state. Freight Figures Astounding:. C. A. Malbcf. general freight agent of the Southern Pacific, gave some Interesting figures on the effect of the dairy on the freights on their line. The two milk condensers In Washington County, one at Forest Grove, the other at Hills-b- o ro, furnish more cars of milk to ship In a year than there are cars of wheat shipped along their entire West Slide line from Portland to Corvallls. In 19 their freight receipts from Washington County were 1175.000. this year they will be I1,0i,'i0. No other county 111 the State has shown such an increase In business as 'Washington County, and It Is today the greatest producing section of the State, judging by the freight furnished Use Southern Pacific road. Superintendent Stuart closed the meeting by thanking the patrons for their large attendance, and inviting them to come again next year. HIGHER WAGES FOB TEACHERS Superintendent Acker man .Optimistic Regarding the Future. TILLAMOOK. Or., Oct. 13. (Special.) The annual teachers' Institute closed a three-da- y session In this city last night. Over sixty teachers were in attendance. The programme was a strong one, the lectures being wholly professional, rather than academic. State Superintendent Ackerman was present the first two days of the institute, and delivered a lecture entitled "Some Unsolved Educational Problems." In his lecture Superintendent Ackerman Btated that before another decade there would be one general school board for all of the public schools of the country: that the best teachers available would be sent to the remote country districts; that higher wages would be paid In the country than in the city or village; that inexperienced teachers would not receive their first experience In the country, as now, but In the city where competent supervision may be had and where they 'may receive the necessary training for their profession. The speaker made a plea for an annual salary for teachers and a service pension for those devoting the most of their life to the service. Judging from the interest taken in the woTk of the Institute. Superintendent W. W. Wiley and the people of the county should be congratulated on their excellent corps of teachers. Several of the schools of the county have not yet secured teachers, and are not in session. FRANK WILSON PROVES ALIBI Linn County Man at Crawfords-Tlll- e Day of Brown Tragedy. ALBANY, Or., Oct 13. (Special.) The Frank Wilson wno Is now at Craw, fordsville. Linn County, does not appear to be the slayer of Harvey K. Brown, for he prives an alibi in the fact that he was at Crawfordsville when Brown was killed. This he affirmed over the telephone this morning, and his statement was verified by Crawfordsville men. Furthermore, he never heard of Frank Tucker, who charged' the crime to Frank Wilson, "born and raised in Linn County." Frank Wilson, of Crawfordsville, is the only man of that name who hae nved in Linn County in recent yeaTS. Talking over the long-distan- telephone this morning. George Finley, a leading .citizen of Crawfordsville, told The Oregonian representative that Wilson was at his house now, and had been there the past two weeks, arriving before the Baker City tragedy occurred. "Wilson," said Finley, "lived right here in Crawfordsville until about four years ago, and had been in Prlnevllle ever since, until I wrote him to come home thla Fall, as I could sell his timber claim. He is now here attending to the transfer of this property." LANE GROWERS FORM UNION Unite to Establish Reputation of Fruit of the County. EUGENE. Or., Oct. Yesterday a large number of the fruit and berry growers of Lane County met at the courthouse and decided unanimously to form a permanent fruit growers' union. A committee consisting of George A.' Dorris, Dr. H. F. MeCornack. B. Chase. M. H. Harlow and Mr. Holt was appointed for the purpose of preparing articles of Incorporation and a constitution and bylaws to be considered by a meeting of fruit growers to be held at the courthouse next Saturday. It Is known that Lane County can, and does, produce as fine fruit and berries as any locality in Oregon. That this fruit has not received its proper degree of recognition is not to he wondered at when the methods heretofore used in disposing of It are considered. With this strong organization to Insist on the proper packing of only perfect fruit, the growers feel that the reputation of Lane County fruit will soon be established. FREE LIBRARY AT TILLAMOOK Proposed That Project Be Supported by Taxation Association Formed. TILLAMOOK. Or. Oct. 13. (Special.) At a meeting of the Tillamook Development League last evening, a Free Public Library Association was organized. A constitution was adopted and the following officers chosen: President, Hon. H. T. Betts; Professor W. R. Rutherford; secretary. Miss Mildred Lister. It is the intention of the association to turn the management of the proposed library over to a City Library Commission, which, it is expected, will be provided for by the City Council. There seems to be strong sentiment in favor of the city supporting the library by taxation. The organization of this association is due to the recent visit of Miss Cornelia Marvin, secretary of the Oregon State Library Commission. Farmers to Meet in Oklahoma. OKLAHOMA CITY, O. T.. Oct. 13. The National Farmers' - Association, with a membership extending throughout the United States and Canada, will convene in this city October 17, for its annual meeting, which will extend for five days. THE 3IORMNG OREGOXIAX, MONDAY, OCTOBER 14, 1907. HAS AN EMPTY BAG President Gets fJo Bear in Stamboul Region. DECIDES TO HUNT FURTHER Will Not Change Base to Tensas Parish Finds Fresh Bear Tracks bnt Does Not Catch Sight of . Bruin Hopes Still High. STAMBOUL, La., Oct. 13. The whole countryside turned out today in expectation of seeing the President take his departure from Stamboul for the South, but, by reason of his change of plans, it was disappointed. There were general expressions of satisfaction, however, over the reconsideration of his determination to move to Tensas Parish, for now that the change is not to be made, Stamboul confesses candidly that she would have been much chagrined to have her - distinguished visitor go away with an empty bag before the time originally fixed. General confidence in his success in the new camp on Bear Lake continues and the reports from there are favorable. It is said that a number of fresh tracks were discovered yesterday, and that on one occasion the party came upon a good-size- d bear, but that on account of the. absence of dogs, he made his escape. The hope is very strong that when the hunt Is resumed tomorrow either thla animal or a member of his family will soon be run to earth. Many of the dogs used in last week's strenuous search of the barren are reported lame and a.n effort Is being made ty replace them with fresh animals. It is not believed by the President's associates that he will now make any changes, but he has made no plans. All will depend upon the developments early in the week. There is no doubt of the presence of game now, but it is shy and may disappear In the presence of hunters, as it did from the Montlcello camp. The order for the special train which was ' to have made its appearance today was cancelled last night, but It will be renewed if the President manifests a disposition to go South. The Tensas Parish people are said to be disappointed .over the failure of the President to carryout his programme for a visit to their section. Secretary Latta went out to the camp today. AWAITING TUFT'S ARRIVAL FIRST PHILIPPINE CONGRESS READY TO CONVENE. Various Political Parties Busy. Taft Will Dictate Policy Session Not to Be Opened With Prayer. MANILA. Oct. 13. Great interest Is shown in the first Philippine Congress, which will meet this week, and the arrival of Secretary Taft, who comes at an opportune time in the inauguration of the Philippine home rule. Already the contending political factions are showing great activity and at the caucus recently held the first brush occurred over a motion to have the Assembly proceedings opened with prayer. This was defeated by one vote on the broad ground that church and state should be kept distinct. , The caucus was attended by 38 delegates. The position of the Assembly on questions relating to the political future of the Philippines is expected to be determined largely by the opinions expressed by Secretary Taft in his address opening the session. This is the view held by Filipinos as well as Americans. The latter are generally In favor of a' specific .pronouncement in Philippine policy. The course of legislative action will depend mainly on the result of the fight of the Gomez Radicals for continuance of the National party. The Nationalists, when united, exercise controlling Influence but their Internal divisions give the progressive Independents the balance of power. It is not likely that party spirit will play much part in the Assembly's affairs owing to personal differences within the parties. Guerrero, one of the native leaders In Manila, backs Gomez In his promise to secure the repeal of the drastic "flag sedition" laws. If this repeal is carried through, other Radical measures probably will follow. The conservative element declares against any extreme legislation aifd the better class of politicians favor an ultra conservative course. The Indications are that Manuel Ques-co- n will be the candidate for Speaker. He is believed to be favorably regarded at Washington and his election gives assurance that no resolution for the independence of the Philippines will be STOCKS STILL DEPRESSED Rumor That Harriman Was Cutting Down Pay Has Bad Effect. NEW YORK, Oct 13. Events in the iast week's stock market ran into demoralization by the end of the week as a culmination of growing uneasiness over the unexplained situation and fears of business depression reaction as an outcome of the money stringency. The publication on Saturday of an alleged order by E. H. Harriman to cut down expenses In all departments of the railroad systems under his control accorded so well with these fears that the effect was acute and but little modified by the subsequent denial of such action by authority of Mr. Harriman. The lethargic demand for securities was no new feature in the situation last week, but for some time past it has corresponded with an almost equally torpid state of the selling, so that occasional attacks on the market by bear operators had little effect in dislodging offerings. But last week the selling was urgent. The consequence was seen In the range of prices for a long list of securities which is the lowest of the present year, and therefore a number of years. The movement seemed to have Its inception in Holland, and Amsterdam sent selling orders to the New York stock market direct in such volume as to attract attention and to give rise to rumors that Involved affairs in the market. The firmness of the New York money market with loans on call touching 6 per cent every day until Friday and with time loans commanding as high as 7 per cent, discouraged holders of securities on margin, especially those of the low-pric- non - dividend - paying, which were conspicuous in the week's declines. Lenders of money in which .those stocks figured as collateral were disposed to restrict creditors, while the manifest declining tendency of prices and the calling of loans precipitated the fall in prices. The tightness of the money extends to commercial credits and discussion was very persistent in the financial district of chances of over extension in some 'prices which might result in damaging conditions from the difficulties of the money market. Many annual reports of railraad companies made their appearance during the .week' and were distinguished by the uniform complaints of the dearness of materials and labor and the harassments of restrictive legislation and the decrease in net earning power which follows. Monthly net earnings of railroads reported bore out these complaints as to the actual showing Involved. Copper continued to work to lower levels, but authorities in the iron and steel trade expressed confidence In its position and reported sustained activity in various departments. All allowance must be made for the influence of the disclosures brought out by the New Yorw local traction inquiry and the financial methods revealed were feared for the public reprobation that might be incited for corporation power and the disturbance they engendered. ADDING TO COLLEGE FUND Salem People Pledge $6515 at Sunday Morning Services. SALEM, Or., Oct. 13. (Special.) This was Willamette University day at the First M. E. Church in this city and a start was made on a $30,000 contribution, which Salem lias undertaken to make toward the endowment fund. The total amount now to be raised is 3100,-00- 0, and of this 370,000 has already been subscribed, chiefly outside of Salem. All subscriptions are conditioned on the 3100,000 being subscribed by January 1, 1908. Subscribtions are payable in five annual installments. At the church services this morning Bishop Moore presided and secured subscriptions aggregating 36515, or more than one-fift- h of the amount Salem expects to raise. At the services this evening. Mayor George F. Rodgers presided and addresses were made by Justice F. A. Moore, Senator T. B. Kay, Senator R. A. Booth and Eon. C. B. Moores. ' The tone of the addresses left no doubt that Salem will enter enthusiastically into the work of raising its share of the endowment fund, and that the friends of Willamette everywhere will aid in making this a permanent and steadily growing institution. A committee of Salem business men will take charge of canvass for subscriptions here. Jones' Funerar largely Attended. SALEM, Or., Oct. 13. (Special.) The funeral of the late John Paul Jones was conducted here this afternoon under the auspices of Demolay Command, ery. Knights Templars. Religious services were conducted at RIgdon's Undertaking Parlors, by Rev. Errett, of the Christian Church. At the cemetery the ritualistic bural services of the order was conducted by the Command-er- y under the leadership of A. L. Steiner, commander, and M. L. Meyers, prelate. The Lodge of Elks attended in a body. There was a large attendance of railroad men from Portland and other parts of Western Oregon. jaU iimmunn " 'iP liit.wiirfflinatuia: CLEAR THE RANGE Government Hires 11 Hunters to Kill Wild Beasts. WAGE WAR ON THE WOLVES Cougars', Wildcats, Mountain Lions and Other Predatory Animals Also to Be Destroyed Oregon Ranges Get Man. OREGONIAN NEWS BUREAU, Washington, D. C, Oct. 13. Substantial evidence that the Government la determined to put 1o0h every effort to bring the National Forest lands to the highest point of development is given in the activities of Uncle Sam in planning the eradication of predatory animals which destroy annually thousands of dollars' worth of stock running on the ranges of the forests. Eleven experienced trappers and hunters, whose knowledge of conditions and training In the great West qualifies them to hunt wolves, cougars, mountain Hons, coyotes and wild cats successfully, have been assigned to the work of exterminating these destructive range animals in National Forests of eight Western states. Death to Wild Beasts. These men, supplied with traps, poison, guns and ammunition, are going at their work In a way which is beginning to show its useful effect and the forest officers believe that the losses caused by the animals which make stock their prey have been cut down very materially. The most effective way to destroy wolves and coyotes is to locate their dens, where, in addition to the old animals, the pups may also be 'killed. In the Wind River division of the Yellowstone forest two guards acting as hunters killed 21 pups and two old wolves in two months' work this Summer. In another case where two hunters were working separately, one found a den and killed seven pups and their mother, and the other ranger killed five pups in another, den. Damage Done by Wolves. The importance of killing these 36 wolves in one National forest is realized only when the extent of damage which is done by these animals in a year is known. Vernon Bailey, who made an investigation of the ravages of wolves last year for the Forest Service, reported that in a certain part of New Mexico a moderate estimate of the stock killed by four wolves was a yearling cow or calf every three days, or approximately 100 head of cattle a year to each wolf. Counting all as calves at the low rate of 310 a head, each wolf would, cost the' ranchman $1000 a year. This would make a saving of $36,000 a year to the ranchmen in the Yellowstone National Forest, where the several ' hunters mentioned accomplished such effective work. Of the eleven hunters at Work Oregon gets one and the. others are distributed through the Western states. Some States Pay Bounties. The work of killing off wolves and other predatory animals on the other National forests Is going-- on equally well, and the stockmen grazing under permit in the ranges within the boundaries of the forests will be saved many thousands of dollars annually. An Indirect good coming from the Government's activities will be to spur ranchers grazing outside the National forests to join In the work of ridding the Western ranges of destructive animals. Besides the great saving through preventing the loss of stock, futher encouragement is Given work in many states where bounties as high in some cases as $50 a head are given for killing wolves and $20 and $30 a head for mountain lions. DEAD IN AUTO ACCIDENT Ohio Merchant Killed While Taking Ride in New Machine. MORBNCI. Mich., Oct. 13. Artnur a merchant of Lyons, O., was killed in an automobile accident this afternoon five miles east of this city. Mr. Onwaller had purchased a new automobile and today was taking his first ride in it. His wife and two children were in the machine with him. While driving at full speed he lost control of the machine in some way, and it ran into a deep ditch, turning turtle and crushing him to death beneath it. Mrs. Onwaller and one of the children, a boy, were seriously hurt. The boy was internally injured and Jias a broken arm. Visit Elite China Shop, 352 Morrison, near Park. Elgin watches, Goodman's, 211 Morrison. , XIWLT COMPLETED BRIDGE ACROSS WILLAMETTE FOR PORTLAND-8ALE- ELECTRIC LIXE. OREGON CITY. Or., Oct. 13. (8pecial.) The new bridg at WllsonvNlis for the Oregon Electric Company's line from Portland to Salem has Just meen completed, and a portion of the falsework removed. There Is 800 feet of steel In the huge structure, comprising four spans of 200 feet each. The trestle on the south bank 1 2500 feet in length, and on the north bank bank 1430 feet. The track on top of the bridge is 111 feet from low water mark. The construction of the Wilson-vlL- le bridge Is unusually substantial. The cost of about (200,000. Cars will be running over the bridge by December L Sole Principal Portland Agents for "Nemo" and "Smart Set" Corsets As Advertised Sunday Tailored Suits, values to $45.00, at $18.S5 Regular $1.50 Kid Gloves 98 $6.50 Plaid Silk Waists for $3.88 Regular $1.50 all-sil- k Hosiery w 95 Great Sale of Trimmed Hats $4.95 Sensational Dress Goods Sale 12Vc Twilled Cretonnes, a yard 9 40e White Pique Coat Sets. 28 40c, 18-in- Chiffon Veilings, yard 22 65c and $1.00 Veilings, all colors, yard 48 Great October Curtain Sale Sale of Bead and Xa Valliere Necklaces, 35e Lace Collars, on sale. 19 !pman,UJo!feCa Ml Commissioner Ballinger Proposes Radical Changes. RID SYSTEM OF GRAFT Government Jobs Are Let Out to Incompetent Contractors Who TJo 'Scabby" Work More Pay tor Surveyors-Genera- l. OREGONIAN NEWS BUREAU, Washington, Oct. 13. If the administration adopts the very sensible views of Commissioner Ballinger of the General Land Office, and if Congress can be induced to enact the necessary legislation, there will be a radical change In the method of making public land surveys. The system now in vogue is cumbersome, sljw and ineffective. It is obsolete. It ts wrong from the ground up, and both the government and the settler is made to suffer. The government surveys of today are made by deputy surveyors, not in the federal service, but working under contract. In a great many instances the contractors are "scabs," and their work Is decidedly "scabby." The contracts are frequently let to political or personal friends of Surveyors-genera- l, and many a contract of this character has gone to pay oft a political obligation on the part of a Surveyor-gener- al or of the man who put the Surveyor-gener- in office. In other words, the public land surveys have been made on a political rather than an engineering basis, and like most other government work controlled by politics, the surveys have been generally bad and unsatisfactory. Need More Efficient Surveyors. Commissioner Ballinger would correct the system by requiring every Surveyor-gener- al to be a practical civil engineer, personally familiar with all phases of surveying. He would make proficiency in this science the first and an absolutely necessary requisite. While the appointments would continue to be made on recommendation of United States Senators, he would compel the Senators to pick the right kind of men. Then he would have Congress increase the pay of the office to such sise as would be attractive to competent engineers. The average salary of Surveyors-gener- al is only $2000, though the Surveyor-gener- al of Alaska receives double that amount. The prevailing salaries were fixed in the days when there was a certain amount of graft going with the office, which would permit thrifty surveyors to swell their incomes to J3O0O or more, that graft was recently cut ofl, on recommendation of Commissioner Ballinger, because it was detrimental to the service. Under previous Commissioners, Surveyors-general were permitted outside of office hours to make copies of plats, etc.. which were of record In their offices, and sell the same to entrymen, land dealers and others. The old rule was Intended primarily to permit clerics in the Surveyor-general's office to make extra money by working after office hours, and had this practice been strictly followed, the custom might not have been broken up. But it was found that in most Instances where overtime work was being done, payment for the work was made to the Surveyor-genera- l, and the clerks who actually did the work reoelveat but a small part of the money, the Surveyor-gener- al frequently pocketing the lion's share. This was pure graft, for the Surveyor-gener- al made none of the copies; he gave none of his time to the work, and was not rightfully entitled to the pay, except in such cases as he personally rendered service. A former Surveyor-gener- al in Idaho pocketed 75 per cent, of all money earned by his clerks working by overtime, and his detection did more to break up the graft than anything else, though it was found that most others of his class were grafting on a smaller scale. Present Salaries Inadequate. Now copies are all made during office hours, are paid for at a rate prescribed by the General Land Office, and the money goes into the federal treasury. Commissioner Ballinger is willing to admit that 32009 Is an inadequate salary for a competent Surveyor-genera- l, and at the proper time he will probably recommend a material Increase, but he will also urge that In the future none but civil engineers be appointed to these positions. Another evil of the present system he would correct, and at once, is the contract-survey plan. Instead of having government surveys made by contractors who are not in the federal service and are not accountable to the Interior Department, he would employ a corps of competent surveyors, place them on the government payroll, and have them run all section and township lines, not at so much per mile but at so much per month. He would have only experienced and qualified men, and would have It understood that Inaccurate work would be cause for instant dismissal of any surveyor. This would insure the work being done by men capable of running straight lines, and capable of marking them as they go ahead. That is more than a great many of the contract sur R veyors can do, as is evidenced by th tremendous amount of delay made necessary by corrections of surveys as they are being made today. Moreover, the. employment of government surveyora would render unnecessary the present system of examination. As things run now, every survey made under contract has to be examined in whole or in part by a competent examiner, which virtually amounts to a double survey. This examination takes time and costs money, but both time and money would be saved by changing the system. Jobbery in Awarding Contracts. It is true government survey contracts are awarded after competition, but a careful scrutiny of proposals received at any Surveyor-general- 's office show that a certain clique manage to get all the work, to the exclusion of other bidders, yet the records of the General Land Office show that many successful bidders are notoriously incompetent and unreliable. From which It is safe to conclude that there Is Jobbery in connection with the award of survey contracts (the awards being made by Surveyors-general- ). Whether the changes proposed are to go into effect or not depends largely on the way the Commissioner's suggestions are received by the Administration and Congress. The Commissioner has pointed the way to reform; It is now up to the people, through their representatives, to see that the reform is adopted. The time has come when government surveys should be placed in the hands of the best men available. Practically; all of the level lands have been surveyed: all that are likely to be entered in the near future. The unsurveyed areas lie up in the mountains in rough country, where unusual skill is required in order to attain accurate results. Those of the level lands that remain will be utilized largely under irrigation systems, and with small farm units, accurate surveys are necessary to prevent contests between settlers. Men who have had government contracts heretofore, and who have been unable to correctly run township and section lines, are not competent to run similar lines on mountain slopes and through forests, and are not to be depended upon for surveying irrigation projects. The best surveyors are required, but they will not be had as long as tho' existing political system continues. Captain and Two Men Brown. CAPE HENRT, Va., Oct. The-bar- g Saxon, lumber laden from Georgetown, 8. C, to New York, stranded SO miles north of Cape Hatteras at midnight October 12. The captain and two men of the barge were drowned. One man, Fred; Lunt, managed to reach the shore and was picked up by Ilfesavers. Bv. Monogram Stationery WW. G. SMITH S GO. WASHINGTON" BUILDING. S a won M0C tARNISM - lKir AND STAM COMBINED An old tarnished lamp can very, quickly be made attractive by the application of a coat of JAP-A-LA- C. The DEAD black is just the thing for refinishing a lamp, it produces that beautiful wrought iron effect, which is so jnuch admired. SIXTEN BfTTjOyTti FOR SALE BY I fVAimFiii a FIRST OASSI JJAWDRUG KAlBBl C17FC rarMS 'J SUBSTITUTES! TEA Good tea and tea are quite different; both grow on the same bush. Tour grocer returns reur mossy to 704 don't Ilk BohUllns's Beati w par him.
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