21 



with definiteness. Such statements as " absent part of the time/' or " occasional 

 absence," are of no value whatever as a basis for the Forester's recommenda- 

 tion. 



The General Land Office insists that a report must be accompanied by the 

 names and post-office addresses of witnesses and the substance of the matters 

 to which they would testify if called upon at a hearing. The showing must be 

 sufficient, if established to be true at a hearing, or other proceedings had, to 

 warrant the cancellation of the entry or the rejection of the claim. If wit- 

 nesses are not available, the fact should be stated. The ranger or guard, and the 

 supervisor, should embody in the report a statement of the facts and conditions 

 showing noncompliance with the law to which they are competent to testify at 

 a hearing, should one be had. 



Forest officers, in reporting on claims under the timber and stone act of 1878, 

 should remember that the essential facts to be made clear are (1) whether the 

 application, or s\vorn statement, was filed prior to the date of the withdrawal of 

 the land for National Forest purposes; (2) whether the final proof and cash 

 payment were made within the time required by law, and (3) whether the 

 claim, or entry, was made for the exclusive benefit of the claimant, or, if they 

 believe the claim or entry to have been made at the instance or in the interests 

 of another, or a company, to state their own knowledge of the facts, or any 

 information which justifies their belief, and the names and post-office addresses 

 of reliable witnesses and brief abstracts of their testimony. 



If the Forest officer has complete cover data available, an examination of the 

 land need not be made, except where it is believed that title to the laud is 

 being sought for another purpose. 



In many cases no response has been received from calls made for several 

 months past for reports on claims. If Forest officers can not make prompt 

 report, they should inform the Forester and give reasons for delay. 



The name of the land district should invariably be given in reports on claims. 



Supervisors should keep themselves supplied with the latest editions of forms 

 654 and G55, and form 175 for reporting on mill-site claims. 



Many reports on claims, on form 655, have been received from the supervisors, 

 in which under paragraph 16, after recommending cancellation of the entry or 

 adverse action, the statement is made that the tract is desirable for a ranger 

 station or administrative site, or that in the event of the cancellation or setting 

 aside of the claim the land should be withdrawn for such purposes. 



The fact that land covered by an entry or claim might be useful for a ranger 

 station or administrative site can have no influence on the recommendation of 

 the Forester or the action of the General Land Office. Where any such tract 

 is desired for an administrative site, the recommendation should not be made 

 in the report on the claim, but a separate report, in proper form, should be 

 submitted. 



