The San Francisco call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1895-1913, 1896-01-08
The Irregularity in the Way of
Securing Land Patents to
Be 0bviated.
INDUSTRIES TO BE DEVELOPED.
Cattle.Growing Expected to Become a
Great Feature Of the Northern
Land.

WASHINGTON. D. c., Jan. IA bill
introduced by Senator Perkins to-day is
calculated to completely reform the land
laws of Alaska. The Senator in explana-
ton of his bill said TO a CALL CORE
spondent:
sit will enable firms and individuals,
who have landed interests in Alaska, to
secure patents from the Government on
claims to land which have been taken up
in such places and in such forms as best
suited the purposes of their business, but
to which there has been difficulty in Sc
curing title. The provisions of the present
law also render it very hard, and in some
cases practically impossible. to secure the
evidence necessary to secure title. My
bill provides that claim shall include all
improvement made by the claimant, pro-
vided that not more than 100 acres are in
Guided. The land in question may be,
and often is, very irregular in shape on ac-
count of these improvements, which were
made according to exigencies of the BUSH
ness transacted.
This irregularlty has hitherto stood in
the way of securing patents from the
Government, but il is recognized and
allowed by the new bill. Canneries and
other enterprises are particularly affected,
as it has been necessary to place their
buildings wherever they were needed,
without reference to the square form of
the Government survey.
1.-THE present law compels claimants and
their witnesses TO visit Sitka in order to
make final proof. This has been a very
great hardship, for claimants and wit
DortlonI nh
other points in California, and even in the
East. A journey to the neighborhood OF
the north pole is, therefore, hardship,
and has materially interfered with secur-
ing patents to Alaska lands. The bill pro-
vides that testimony may be taken
wherever and when witnesses may be
conveniently found, but it is provided that
land officers anywhere may take and re-
ceive testimony. The measure, moreover
confirms all entries already made on
dispositions taken outside of Alaska.
deputy surveyors are given authority
to make surveys whenever on the ground
and are requested to do so without COM
| municating with the office at Sitka or re-
ceiving special instructions. They are also
empowered to do all work pending in the
locality. 1t is provided that dispositions
shall be received if made at any time be-
fore the deputy returns his survey. These
dispositions may be applied to the pur-
chase price and certificates of deposit
made transferable.
"a part of Alaska is well adapted to
stock purposes, provided sufficient acreage
is allowed. The ordinary agricultural
pursuits may not be profitable, but AM
NAL raising may succeed. The bill en-
courages the experiment. The district is
now practically a waste. If it can be util-
lied by some industry for profit to invest
ors, shipping or revenue, it is given Sc
curity by right to title.
''The islands are natural stock ranges,
and special privileges are given to persons
who will stock them with an adaptable
source of income. The coast westward OF
Yahutat Bay is a succession of islands.
They should be devoted to some useful
purpose. 1t may be available to devote
them to animal raising, and encourage
ment is extended to the venturesome in
vestors.
ALASKA contains large areas of coal
lands. There is no law for acquisition of
title to them, and in the absence of some
law for their sale private capital is slow in
developing them. There is no special coal