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During a National Live Stock association conference resolutions regarding federal laws concerning grazing conditions in the West have been drawn up and will be presented to a special land commission appointed by President Theodore Roosevelt. The cattlemen are confident that their resolutions will be successful.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1904-08-06
President Roosevelt believes that Representative Lacey’s bill authorizing the leasing of public lands and the removal of natural resources from them is the best of the three bills.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-22
President Roosevelt tells Secretary of the Interior Hitchcock that he believes radical action is needed in the matter regarding public lands. Roosevelt feels that illegal fencing is takes public lands away from the public use, and will recommend that Congress pass laws for the government to handle these areas in the same way the forests are managed. Roosevelt wants government officers examining the situation. He also plans to ask for the power to supervise lands used for coal mining, noting that the current related laws “put a premium on fraud.” Roosevelt says that an unnamed university chancellor visited him to complain about damage to his school due to the current coal land-related laws.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-12-13
Assistant Attorney General Cooley provides President Roosevelt with a preliminary report on the circumvention or violation of laws relating to the disposal of public lands in the Territory of New Mexico, including the involvement of the Territory’s governor, Herbert J. Hagerman. Cooley presents evidence that Hagerman’s actions were both “illegal and unjustifiable.”
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-04-12
Overton W. Price of the United States Forest Service suggests changes to President Roosevelt’s order regarding the issuance of patents for public lands to eliminate opportunities for fraud. Price also recommends changing the wording to allow any authorized officer of the government to investigate cases.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-01-22
George F. Pollock submits a report to Secretary of the Interior Hitchcock following an order from President Roosevelt that no patent be issued to public land until an “examination on the ground” has been made by an agent of the Department of the Interior, in order to hinder “theft of the public lands.” Pollock reports on the current pending cases and requests additional funding to carry out the work.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-12-22
Regional Director Merriam outlines the next steps in the land exchange negotiations with the State of North Dakota and the Bureau of Land Management. Original and copy.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1949-07-14
Maurice A. Roady encloses the document “Public Land Order revoking Public Land Order No. 249 of November 17, 1944.” The document is to be filed and published by the Division of the Federal Register.
Theodore Roosevelt National Park
1949-07-27
President Roosevelt notifies Secretary of the Interior Garfield that his executive order on public lands is cancelled because the United States Congress did not appropriate enough funds to carry out the order. The Commissioner of the General Land Office will attempt to act using the appropriated funds.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-03-12
Assistant Secretary of the Treasury Keep, Comptroller of Currency Murray, and Chief Forester Pinchot provide President Roosevelt with a detailed report of the organization and operations of the Department of the Interior. The report highlights “grave defects” in the structure of the Department such as redundant job functions, an “abuse of letter writing” that impedes public business, and rampant inefficiency. The report recommends the dissolution of several divisions.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1906-10-22
Eben Weaver Martin reports to Seth Bullock on attendance at the Public Lands Convention held in Denver, Colorado, saying it was “packed anti-administration,” but that there were many pro-administration people there as well. Forest Service Chief Gifford Pinchot was pleased with the resolutions made by the convention, but Martin disagrees with Pinchot’s ideas about a forest ranger service. Martin believes a system of land leasing would interfere with homesteading.
Library of Congress Manuscript Division
1907-06-21