294 



the protective limit, a division of the permit among different owners may be 

 allowed, provided that not more than one new owner is allowed a renewal of 

 permit for less than the protective-limit number of stock. 



The purpose of this amendment is to prevent the division of existing permits into 

 numerous holdings of less than the protective limit. This practice if allowed to con- 

 tinue would result in the creation of a large class of permittees who, while not strictly 

 Class A settlers, would still be entitled to increase up to the protective limit, to the 

 exclusion of bona fide Class A applicants and at the expense of other prior users of 

 the range holding permits in excess of the protective limits. The instruction as 

 amended applies with equal force to cases of division between the individuals with 

 interests in a permit, and to cases where a part or all of the stock covered by a permit 

 is sold to one or more persons not otherwise entitled to grazing privileges. 

 Collection of Bounties for Destroying Predatory Animals 



The Forest Service has customarily allowed all forest officers to collect the bounties 

 offered by States, counties, and stock associations for the killing of predaceous ani- 

 mals, whether the animals were killed by them in the discharge of their regular duties 

 or otherwise. In the appointment of forest rangers and guards for assignment to the 

 work of destroying predatory animals the revenue derived from the collection of 

 bounties has heen given consideration, and such appointments have in consequence 

 been made at the minimum salary. 



It is not the intention to discontinue this practice, but it must be definitely under- 

 stood by all members of the Forest Service that the acceptance of bounties for the 

 killing of noxious animals will only be authorized by the Forester when such bounties 

 are freely and voluntarily offered and paid by the State, county, or stock association. 

 In the cases where the payment of bounties is protested by State, county, or stock- 

 association officers on the ground that the forest officer's position requires him to 

 destroy predaceous animals at every opportunity without extra compensation, any 

 action on the part of a forest officer to enforce the payment of bounties will be dis- 

 approved by the Forester, and will be regarded as a breach of official conduct. 



LANDS 



Lands: Organization 



On February 5 the following letter was approved by the Secretary of Agriculture: 



FEBRUARY 5, 1910. 

 The Honorable, 



The SECRETARY OF AGRICULTURE. 

 SIR: 



I hereby recommend that a Branch of Lands be established in the Forest Service 

 and that it have the following organization and jurisdiction: 

 OFFICE OF OCCUPANCY. 



This Office will have charge of all matters relating to the uses of National Forest 

 land, not already covered by the Branch of Silviculture and the Branch of Grazing, 

 which are allowed by law and regulation. This shall also include reports upon 

 rights-of-way projects to the Department of the Interior and the preparation of stipu- 



