And State Papers 68 1 



stead law, which in their operation have in many 

 respects conflicted with wise public-land policy. The 

 discussions in the Congress and elsewhere have made 

 it evident that there is a wide divergence of opinions 

 between those holding opposite views on these sub- 

 jects ; and that the opposing sides have strong and 

 convinced representatives of weight both within and 

 without the Congress ; the differences being not only 

 as to matters of opinion but as to matters of fact. 

 In order that definite information may be available 

 for the use of the Congress, I have appointed a 

 commission composed of W. A. Richards, Com- 

 missioner of the General Land Office; Gifford Pin- 

 chot, Chief of the Bureau of Forestry of the De- 

 partment of Agriculture, and F. H. Newell, Chief 

 Hydrographer of the Geological Survey, to report 

 at the earliest practicable moment upon the condi- 

 tion, operation, and effect of the present land laws 

 and on the use, condition, disposal, and settlement 

 of the public lands. The commission will report 

 especially what changes in organization, laws, reg- 

 ulations, and practice affecting the public lands are 

 needed to effect the largest practicable disposition 

 of the public lands to actual settlers who will build 

 permanent homes upon them, and to secure in perma- 

 nence the fullest and most effective use of the re- 

 sources of the public lands; and it will make such 

 other reports and recommendations as its study of 

 these questions may suggest. The commission is to 

 report immediately upon those points concerning 

 which its judgment is clear; on any point upon 



