FOREST SERVICE. 



351 



last year's report, whereby reports on claims are submitted by the 

 district foresters directly to chiefs of field division of the General 

 Land Office. When it appears necessary to contest a claim, the dis- 

 trict assistant to the Sohcitor of the Department of Agriculture con- 

 siders the evidence submitted by the Forest Service field examiner, 

 and the law involved; and, if satisfied that a contest should be ini- 

 tiated, frames the charges to be recommended to the chief of field 

 division. The latter decides whether or not a hearing shaU be 

 ordered. 



In examining mineral claims the procedure followed is so planned as 

 not to interfere with legitimate mineral development. Reports on 

 mining claims are made to the General Land Office only when patent 

 is applied for, or when the land is held for purposes other than mining 

 and the claim is interfering with the admininstration of the Forest. 

 On notification that patent to National Forest land is sought under 

 the mining laws a forest officer makes an examination and, if he finds 

 that the claim is apparently held in good faith for mining purposes and 

 its location is such that the issuance of patent will not prejudice 

 National Forest interests, his recommendation is favorable. When 

 he finds that the claim is located on land valuable for its timber, or 

 which has a high value for purposes other than mining, an examination 

 is made by a mining expert to determine whether the mineral law has 

 been fuUy complied with. Adverse recommendations are never made 

 to the General Land Office except upon the report of such mineral 

 experts. 



To supply the Forest Service with a sufficient force of properly 

 qualified men the Civil Service Commission held an examination and 

 established a register of eligibles designated as mineral examiners. 



Field examinations of claims furnished a basis for reports to the 

 General Land Office as follows : 



Reports to the General Land Office on unpatented claims. 



Action upon claims to National Forest land before the Department 

 of the Interior resulted as follows: 



Claims to National Forest land disposed of by the Department of the Interior. 



