30 LAWS APPLICABLE TO THE NATIONAL FOEESTS. 



Building's. 



The limitation of $500 on the cost of buildings, contained under 

 " General expenses," in the appropriation for 1911, applies also to 

 ranger cabins erected under the appropriation for " Improvement of 

 National Forests." (Comp. Dec. of May 23, 1911, unpublished.) 



Under the provision in the appropriation act for 1912 an existing 

 ranger cabin may be enlarged to meet the present needs of the Forest 

 Service, provided the total cost of the enlarged building does not 

 exceed $650. < (2 Sol. Op., 679.) 



The foregoing provision does not, however, authorize additional 

 expenditures on old cabins merely for the purpose of making them 

 more comfortable and commodious for the same number of rangers 

 and the same amount of business as they were originally constructed 

 to provide for. (2 Sol. Op., 679.) 



One who has contracted for the construction of a ranger station 

 may transfer such contract to another party ; the United States may 

 recognize the assignment and require the assignee to complete the 

 ranger station. (2 Sol. Op., 1094.) 



Roads. 



An appropriation for the " improvement of the National Forest," 

 with a provision that the money appropriated may be expended as the 

 Secretary of Agriculture may direct, authorizes him to cooperate with 

 county commissioners in the construction of a county road through a 

 National Forest, by contributing money for that purpose. (1 Sol. 

 Op., 154.) 



Telephone lines. 



The Forest Service may legally enter into an agreement for the 

 cooperative construction of a telephone line where under the terms of 

 such agreement the United States is to retain title to all timber taken 

 from the National Forests used either in the construction or mainte- 

 nance of said line, the other contracting party to furnish all other 

 materials and labor necessary. (2 Sol. Op., 999.) 



Where telephone lines belonging to the Forest Service have been 

 constructed over public lands, in the patents issued to such lands there 

 will be inserted a clause excepting from the conveyance the telephone 

 line and all appurtenances thereto, together with the right of the 

 United States, its officers, agents, or employees, to maintain, operate, 

 repair, or improve such telephone line so long as needed or used for 

 or by the United States. (Letter (D-17542) of Assistant Secretary 

 Sweeney, dated Aug. 31. 1915, directed to the Commissioner of the 

 General Land Office.) 



Sale of condemned property. 



Government property in the nature of fixtures, such as cabins, 

 fences, etc., may be sold as personal property either before or after 

 the land to which they are attached is released from withdrawal for 

 administrative use of the Forest Service. (1 Sol. Op., 272.) 



Logs from deserted cabins on National Forests may be sold by the 

 Forest supervisors under authority of Revised Statutes, section 3618. 

 (1 Sol. Op., 109.) 



