58th Congress, ) SENATE. j Document 



M Session. \ (No. 188. 



PUBLIC LANDS COMMISSION. 



MESSAGE 



FROM THE 



PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, 



BUBMITTINO 



THE PRELIMINABY REPORT OF THE PTJBLIC LANDS COMMISSION 

 APPOINTED OCTOBER 22, 1908, TO REPORT UPON THE CONDI- 

 TION, OPERATION, AND EFFECT OF THE PRESENT LAND LAWS, 

 AND TO RECOMMEND SUCH CHANGES AS ARE NEEDED. 



Makch 7, 1904. — Bead, referred to the Committee on Public Lands, and ordered to 



be printed. 



To the Senate and Souse of Representatimes: 



I submit herewith the preliminary report of the Public Lands Com- 

 mission appointed by me October 22, 1903, to report upon the condi- 

 tion, operation, and effect of the present land laws, and to recommend 

 such changfes as 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 permanence the fullest and most effective 

 use of the resources of the public lands. The subject is one of such 



great importance and great intricacy that it is impossible for the 

 ommission to report in full thereon at this time. It is now ready, 

 however, to suggest certain changes in the law as set forth in the 

 accompanying report. I commend these suggestions to the fa voidable 

 consideration of the Congress. 



Theodore Roosevelt. 

 White House, Ma/rck 7, 190Ji,. 



PARTIAL REPORT OF THE PUBLIC LANDS COMMISSION. 



Washington, D. C, March 7, 190^. 

 Sir: This Commission, appointed October 22, 1903, to report to you 

 upon the condition, operation, and effect of the present land laws, and 

 to recommend such changes as are needed to effect the largest practi- 

 cable disposition of the public lands to actual settlers who wUl build 



