THE USE BOOK. 293 



test against the claim, you will suspend the proof and submit a 

 brief statement of the facts in the case to the special agent in 

 charge of the district in which said proof is made, such state- 

 ment to include the names and addresses of claimants and 

 witnesses, and your reasons for the suspension of the proof. 

 You will forward the proof to this Office with a copy of your 

 letter to the special agent. The special' agent will then proceed 

 to make such investigation as he may deem necessary, and to 

 submit his report on the approved form. Upon the receipt of 

 his report, appropriate action will be taken upon the entire 

 record as then made up. 



(5) If you believe the proof to have been made in good faith 

 and that the law has been in all respects complied with, you 

 will pass such proof to entry in the regular order, upon com- 

 pliance by the claimant with all the requirements therein and 

 on the payment of. fees and commissions, but you will in no 

 case issue final certificate or pass a mineral application to entry 

 when any definite protest by a forest officer has been made 

 against the claim. 



(6) You will promptly notify the Forest Supervisor of what- 

 ever action you take in every case. 



(7) The names and addresses of Forest Supervisors will be 

 furnished you by this Office. Notices of claims in forest re- 

 serves in which there is no forest officer in charge should be 

 forwarded to the Forester, Agricultural Department, Washing- 

 ton, D. C. 



Very respectfully, J. H. FIMPLE, 



Acting Commissioner. 

 Approved : 



THOS. RYAN, 



Acting Secretary. 



MANNER OF PROCEEDING UPON SPECIAL AGENTS' REPORTS. 



DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR, 



GENERAL LAND OFFICE, 

 Washington, D. (7., November 25, 1907. 

 To SPECIAL AGENTS AND REGISTERS AND RECEIVERS, 



U. 8. Land Offices: 



The following rules are presecribed for the government of 

 proceedings had upon the reports of special agents of this of- 

 fice. All existing instructions in conflict herewith are super- 

 seded : 



1. The purpose hereof is to secure speedy action upon claims 

 to the public lands, and to allow claimant, entryman, or other 



