16 
also to protect the interests of the various settlers and ranchmen who 
occupy land in or adjoining the National Forests. 
This office has charge of the meters installed by the different elec- 
trical companies and the inspection of their plants in connection with 
the conservation charge made by the Forest Service. 
On the larger pieces of work an experienced man, either an engineer 
or a man experienced in that particular line of work, is detailed to 
the forest supervisor to assist in the construction. The regular force 
on the National Forests is large enough to take care of the routine work 
only, and it is necessary that additional labor be employed in special 
cases. 
OFFICE OF LANDS. 
The office of lands deals with questions involving the validity of 
claims asserted under the public land laws, applications for permits 
for special use of the resources of the National Forests, changes in 
the boundaries of Forests, and the examination of lands applied for 
under the act of June 11, 1906, for agricultural settlement. The 
utmost encouragement is given to bona fide claims for mineral and 
agricultural lands. The miner is protected and assisted in the exploi- 
tation of his claim and is given free use of timber for firewood and 
building purposes. It is for the protection of the miner and the 
farmer that only those seeking title in good faith are permitted to 
enjoy the products of the Forest, while others are treated as tres- 
passers. 
The section of boundaries deals with the examination of lands for 
proposed National Forests or additions to and eliminations from exist- 
ing Forests. The act of March 3, 1891 (26 Stat. L., 1095), provides 
that the President may set aside, by proclamation, in any public land 
State or Territory lands wholly or in part covered with timber or 
undergrowth as National Forests. Under the authority of this act 
practically all of the existing National Forests have been created. 
Congress may, however, take action, and has done so in a few cases. 
In an amendment to the agricultural appropriation act, approved 
March 4, 1907, it is provided that ‘‘hereafter no forest reserve shall 
be created, nor shall any addition be made to one heretofore created 
within the limits of the States of Oregon, Washington, Idaho, Mon- 
tana, Colorado, or Wyoming, except by act of Congress.” The power 
of the President to create or enlarge National Forests in other States 
and the Territories is unimpaired. 
In 1903 the need of better choice of Forest boundaries led to the 
establishment of the section of boundaries, comprising a force of 
trained men devoted exclusively to boundary examinations under a 
uniform and complete system of field study and reports. The results 
were satisfactory and the system remains in effect. Before any new 
[Cir. 36] 
