97 



authorized, in view of the language of the President's proclamation, to award prefer- 

 ence rights of entry to those upon whose application certain lands now to be restored 

 were listed for settlement and entry under the Act of June 11, 1906, and where, as a 

 matter of fact, the lands were not actually open to entry under the said Act prior to 

 their elimination from the National Forest. The Secretary's decision infers that only 

 persons who have actually occupied or are occupying the lands will be given preference 

 rights of entry when the restored areas are restored to the public domain and open to 

 settlement and entry. 



In response to the telegram of October 27 the District Foresters have submitted a 

 list of the names of applicants, the numbers of the lists, and the land districts in which 

 the lands are situated, so that the Commissioner of the General Land Office might 

 instruct local land officers to give preference rights of entry to the applicants named 

 in the lists. The telegram of November 5 informed the District Foresters of the Sec- 

 retary's decision and they were instructed to inform applicants who had been told 

 that they would have a preference right that the Secretary had reversed the Com- 

 missioner's decision and that, as a matter of fact, they would have no preference 

 right. Field officers should tell not only persons who have been erroneously informed 

 but should also notify all others who might be affected by the Secretary's ruling. 

 There probably are some lands among those restored areas which are now being 

 advertised for entry under the Act of June 11, 1906, where the applicants are not resid- 

 ing upon the tract. It is suggested that the field officers also notify them and any 

 other person who applied for lands there, but who has not as yet made entry. 

 Instructions Under Claims Cooperation Agreement of Nov. 25, 1910 

 (Circular letter of December 29, 1910.) 



Under the joint letter of instructions from the Secretary of the Interior and the 

 Secretary of Agriculture, dated November 25, the following procedure will be ob- 

 served: 



R EPORTS Supervisors should submit to the District Forester one original and 

 two copies of all reports, supplemental reports, and affidavits prepared and 

 obtained in claims cases. In no case will a report be forwarded to the Forester except 

 where there is a difference of opinion between the District Forester and the District 

 Assistant to the Solicitor as provided for in the joint letter. The District Forester 

 will, when he submits the original report to the Chief of Field Division, in accord- 

 ance with the joint letter of November 25, attach one copy to be used as a file copy 

 by the Chief of Field Division. 



REQUESTS FOR REPORTS BY COMMISSIONER OF THE GENERAL LAND OFFICE 

 \Vhon a request for a report on a claim is received from the Commissioner it 

 will be forwarded by the Forester to the, District Forester and no record will bo 

 kept in the Forester's office. No reply will be made to the Commissioner, either 

 by the Forester or District Forester. 



When the Commissioner's request is received by the District Forester, if a report 

 has already been submitted to the Interior Department, he will write the Chief of 

 Field Division, with appropriate reference to the Commissioner's letter of request, 

 stating the date upon which the report was forwarded. 



