586 



ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



THE NATIONAL FORESTS. 



Three hundred and seventy claims to lands in the national forests, 

 founded upon the homestead, mineral, railroad grant, lieu selection, 

 and other general and special laws were handled. One hundred 

 and ten decisions were rendered by the Interior Department, 48 in 

 favor of the Government and 62 adverse. Decisions in favor of the 

 Government resulted in the retention in the national forests of lands 

 supporting approximately 99,000,000 feet of timber, worth approxi- 

 mately $280,000. 



Trespass cases on the national forests. 



There were prepared 326 agreements for purchase of lands au- 

 thorized to be acquired by the National Forest Reservation Commis- 



sion. 



FEDERAL AID ROAD ACTS. 



Project statements for 1,245 projects were reviewed during the 

 year to determine whether the projects were eligible for Federal aid. 

 Of these projects 1,237 were approved and 8 disapproved. The 

 1,237 projects which were approved involved a total estimated ex- 

 penditure of $101,568,047, Federal aid in the amount of $48,084,- 

 965. and 3,137.6 miles of road. 



During the fiscal year project agreements and certificates of ap- 

 proval of plans, specifications, and estimates, prepared by the Bureau 

 of Public Roads, for 912 projects were reviewed as to th'eir legal 

 form and sufficiency before being transmitted to the State highway 

 department for execution. These project agreements, such as were 

 not examined and submitted to the Secretary for signature in ad- 



