1904 



FORESTRY AND IRRIGATION 



59 



HON. WILLIAM A. RICHARDS, 



COMMISSIONER OF THE GENERAL LAND OFFICE. 



MR. RICHARDS, as Commissioner of the General Land Office, occupies a position of 

 extreme importance at this time. The gigantic land frauds that have been going on 

 for years, and which continue to-day, owing to our pernicious land laws, render his work 

 of a most trying character. A residence of many years in the public land states of the West 

 was naturally a strong factor in his selection for his present position. For this reason also, it 

 was to be expected that President Roosevelt would select him as a member of the Public Land 

 Commission, which is now preparing a report to Congress. Mr. Richards was born at Hazel 

 Green, Wis., on March 9, 1849, and later removed to AVyoming, where he filled the position of 

 surveyor-general of that state from 1889 to 1893 ; he was later elected governor of Wyoming, 

 serving from January i, 1895, to January i, 1899. 



