OCR Text |
Show tion and survey of a further line extending from the town of Lawton, Okla., to the town of Duncan, Ind. T. The maps of definite location showing the survey and location of these lines, excepting that between Lawton and Duncan, were filed in this o5ce June 20, and were returned for correction on account of a discrepancy shown on the maps. By reason of the opening of the surplus lands of the Kiowa, Comanche, and Apache Reservation and the urgent need of telephonic communication, the Department, July 26, authorized Mr. Wright to commence the construction of his pro-posed lines on condition that maps of definite location, properly pre-pared, should be filed within ten days thereafter. A portion of the maps are now on file in this office, and the office is informed that maps showing the location of the entire line will be filed at an early date. RAILROADS ACROSS INDIAN LANDS. During the fiscal year ending June 30,1901, great activity has been manifested in the direction of railroad operations in the Indian Terri-tory and Oklahoma. This alertness is not only noticeable among railroad companies organ-ized and having lines of railroad in operation in these Territories prior to June 30,1900, but also in the organization of new companies evi-dently incorporated for the purpose of acquiring franchises through this resourceful region whereby to participate in the development of the country. Operations in this line have been stimulated, no doubt, in the Indian Territory by reason of the appivaching consummation of the plans of the General Government for the extinguishment of the several tribal governments and a reorganization of the political and social conditions now prevailing, and in the Territory of Oklahoma by the allotment of the lands in the Wichita and the Kiowa, Comanche, and Apache reservations to the Indians in severalty and the subsequent opening of the surplus lands to public settlement. Applications for rights of way submitted by the newly organized companies have in most instances been filed under the provisions of the general right-of-way act approved March 2, 1899 (30 Stats., 990), and the regulations of the Department prescribed thereunder, dated April 18, 1899. Pai~graph 18 of the regulations above referred to was amended April 8, 1901, to read as follows: 18. In filing maps of location for approval under this act, the same should there-fore be accompanied by the affidavit of the preident or other principal officer of the company, defining the purpose, intent, and ability of the company in the matter of the construction of the proposed road. Further, each map should be accompanied by evidence of the service of an exact copy thereof and the date of mch service, as foliows: "1. In the ease of lands in any Indian reservation or reserved for any purpose in connection with the Indian service, upon the agent or other officer in charge. |