420 ANNUAL REPORTS OF DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



BRANCH or LANDS. 



The new form of power acjreement mentioned on page 11 will be 

 perfected as rapidly as possible. It is desired to secure the criticism 

 of all who are in touch with the subject and care to express tliom- 

 selves concernins: the specific features of the an^reement, in order 

 that it may be well adapted to its work. When it has been completed, 

 permits will be issued under it. Holders of permits under the old 

 form of asjreement will not be required to suostitute the new form 

 for the old unless they choose to do so. It is believed, however, that 

 because of the fact tliat the new asjreement imposes a lower charge 

 than the old those to whom permits have been issued will prefer to 

 surrender them and take out in their place permits under the new 

 form. 



To strengthen the force of examiners of land sought for the devel- 

 opment of hydroelectric power there will be established a civil- 

 service register for hydroelectrical engineer, from which appointments 

 of men properly equipped for tiiis work may be made. 



In the claims work of the Forest Service an effort will be made to 

 simplify the procedure and at the same time to bring about closer 

 cooperation between the Forest Service, the Office of the Solicitor of 

 the Department of Agriculture, and the General Land Office. In 

 general, the aim will be to secure a form of procedure which will at 

 once safeguard the interests of the Government and the public in 

 prevention of the illegal passing of title of National Forest lands to 

 private persons and avoid the" laying of hardship upon bona fide 

 claimants who have substantially fulfilled the requirements of law. 



Examinations of claims made by Forest officers will result in a 

 report of the facts found by the examiner, which will be submitted 

 to the District Forester, who, if he thinks that a contest should not 

 be instituted, will mark the report ''No protest" and send it directly 

 to the chief of field division concerned ; but if the District Forester 

 thinks that a contest should be instituted, he will submit the report 

 to the Assistant to the Solicitor, who will examine it with reference 

 to the evidence submitted and the law involved, and, if satisfied that 

 a contest should be instituted, will frame the charges to be recom- 

 mended to the Chief of Field Division by the District Forester. 

 Upon the submission of the report and recommended charges to the 

 Chief of Field Division, the (question whether a hearing will be ordered 

 will then be subject to his decision, with proper opportunity of 

 appeal, in behalf of the Department of Agriculture, by the Solicitor's 

 Office. 



Although contest will not be initiated upon slight, technical non- 

 compliance with the law, whenever it appears that an entry is not 

 made or a claim initiated in good faith, but is believed to be a sub- 

 terfuge to acquire title to timberland, or to control water, a water- 

 power site, or rights of way, or to interfere materially with the 

 essential interests of National Forest administration, the claim mil 

 be contested. No mining claim will be contested except after 

 examination and report by a competent mineral examiner. Mining 

 claims which manifestly do not affect Forest interests one way or 

 another ^\ill not be given a mineral examination. 



