The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-01-16


The estimated average value per acre
OF the total number OF acres filed upon -
1910. while the average value OF The seiec-
tons approved by the secretary OF the
interior Is Ss.4l The latter lands Were
the first selected The old board accepted
3ei $50 acres of the selections. valued at
s.. 93s. d. an average value OF sos. 1t
will be seen that the average acre value
has been raised si.o4 by the new board as
the result OF vtgilance and that cpporfu-
nifty to follow closely the cruising work
which was not enjoyed by the old board
on account of their othec exacting duties
as state officers. II the present average
value is preserved, and there is every rea-
son to believe Ii will be increased under
the privilege Of township reservation now
afforded the state. from one-half to three
quarters of a million enhancement OF rev.
enue from the granted lands is assured
1t will be observed, too. that the average
values are undergoing such modification
as should bring them to a parity. While
the maximum difference of average In the
selections approved by the secretary Is
1873 an acre, 1t Is reduced to $i4o in the
by the board.
OF the total of the grants. 140.s46.o6 acres
remain to be selected. and of the 4sI. "a
acres taken up. as5, 605.0S acres have not
been approved by the interior department.
Protest has been presented to the secre-
tary to suspend approvals until the sub
ject can be fully considered by your hon.
orable body. and such provision made as
will secure to the state every advantage
to be derived under the operation Of the
new amendment to the sundry civil bill.
A recruising of the suspended selections
would seem to be advisable. The work
with the present manner OF outlay,
Though the cooperation OF the land ap-
praisers appointed under the act OF March
Is. 1898. with the beard of state land COM
missioners. For thousands Of acres COM
prised In filings more valuable tracts
could be substituted. while the large
areas selected as agricultural land In the
arid belt might be rejected for future in
clusion in the grant conferred on the state
under the Carey reclamation act.
AS the further employment of assistant
attorneys general at local land offices Is
now rendered needless and nugatory. the
repeal OF the law which brought them
into existence Is recommended
RECLAMATION OF THE ARID LANDS
Section of the Federal sundry civil
act of 1894 prescribes the manner in which
100 600 acres OF desert land may pass un-
der the ownership and control of those
a lxyaS nf he
gift. The purpose OF the law Is TO en-
power the public land states to promote
the reclamation. cultivation and settle
ment OF the arid areas within their
boundaries and thus augment with all
possible dispatch the permanent produc-
tive estate of the commonwealth. In
striking the ultimate balance of accounts
the state Wal have been at no expense.
since the proceeds from the sales of the
reclaimed lands are to be applied to the
reimbursement OF the state for the mon
eys invested. the residue Of the revenues
derived from the 1.c00. 900 acres to create
fund for the reclamation of additional
desert lands The establishment OF the
irrigation plant, which must precede set.
Element and sales, devolves upon the state
the present, however. the only step essen
tial TO the eventual requirement OF the
grant is the passage OF law providing
for a reconnaissance of the watersheds of
Eastern Washington. preliminary survey
ard such other preparatory wc-k as
would be comprehended In study of the
irrigahle possibilities of the Columbia
river desert BASIN. In considering the ur-
geney of this matter it should be rernern-
bered that the arid belt comprises nearly
one-fffth of the total area OF the state.
and that every township therein contains
i,sso acres OF school land now valuiess.
HARBoR AREAS READY FOR LEASE.
The work OF establishing the harber
lines Of our cities having been finished, /,
10 time to provide for the leasing OF har-
Dor areas TIE policy should be TO so
shape legislation in the premises that the
lowest possible wharfage charges will re-
suit High rates OF lease for the purposes
OF pubic revenue mean high rates OF
wharfage, 10 the detrinent OF commerce.
Cheap wharfage Will attract in increas-
Ing volume to oar shores the transatlantic
srasie certain of diversion through the
eassnaei offering the least resistance.
while IL assures domestic consumers i'm
rnnnify from the burden Of tax imposed
in heavy charges which are in the last
analysis added 70 the costs OF transpoxta-
tom
STATE INSTITUTIONS
The cost az maintaining the state .nsti-
tutionz has increased uzs.1lss during
the two years ending October 81. 1894.
The total cost OF maintenance since state
hood Is 81 so sc. a sum ss22 S.. 81 in ex-
cess Of me outlay for all construction and
improvement curing that period. About
$1,000 was expended the last two years in
per diem ani mileage for the several
boards and commissions
This branch of the public service Is an
open ns!i sav corrective and more COM
prehenssve Legislation. TIE laws Peg
tanning 20 lt are diverse, diffuse and un-
syTnnse Real 4 many-neade9 system %
management. irregular methods OF dis
harsemenE extraordinary Independence Of
controi. ara growing inclination - re-
sons u. localities rather than aaxtisat5es
% government. are rnnrng the coase-
caenees Certain boarss draw warrants
fer quarterly .nazassnauce suns for the
fsSe ~ whsch In detail they are NOS az
e0antasls 10 The state auditing authority
Tsscse warrants are casaess. cfssn a.
premium, ard wh5is as interest deks Is
thus rrsasse 50 pile rp against sfse saxpay-
srs. tae xarssIs aseAlnes he IA banks
nxastsnw an tras@ srs&ts necessity for en-