The Ravalli Republican., 1898-04-13
NEW REGULATIONS
Regarding the Cutting OF Timber OH The
Public Lands.

Regarding the Cutting OF Timber OH The
Public Lands.
Hon. John NJ. Evans, register Of
the Missoula land office, furnishes the
REPUBLICAN an important circular
Just issued by the commissioner Of
the general land Office, and which
rcvcrses the procedure formerly OBJ
served as to the cutting Of timber on
government lands. Formerly the
government allowed the cutting Of
timbor by permit, ahd the present
commissioner Of the general land Of
fee restricted the amount to be in
cludcd in any one permit to l60 acres.
Now, however, the government is to
sell the timber to those Whudesirc to
use it for commercial purposes, and
methods Of appraisement are provid-
ed for in the new regulations just
sent out. The regulations apply to
non mineral lanes, however, and do
not in any sense affect the rights Of
miners as they formerly existed.
Neither are the rights of settlers
who arc unable to procure timber for
their domestic uses invaded by the
new circular. The commissioner
says, however, that sit was not the
intention of congress to authorize the
taking of timber from public lands to
serve as an article of merchandise
and traffic, whereby profits might be
secured, not only from the labor be-
slowed in handling the timber, but
by charging for the timber itself, az
ter obtaining it free Of cost from the
government, which NGLd practically
open d door for speculation in public
timber, resulting in the holders Of
permits being in Il position to pre-
vent competition and virtually con-
troll the market for timber in their
locaitics.'
He prcscribcs the new rules gov
erning the taking Of timber for ncr-
chandising. The important sections
of the new regulations are:
3. Settlers upon public lands and
other residents Of the states and ter
ritorics above nancd Montana being
one ut them who have not a sutiici.
ent supply Of timber on their OWL
claims or farm, for use thereon fOI
such domestic purposes as lrcWuod
fencing purposes, or 1or necessary
use in developing the mineral and
other natural resources Of the lands
owned or occupied by them may pro
cure timber, free u1 Charge, from un-
occupied, unrcScrvcd, nOn-1nincrl]
public lands strictly for use on their
own claims or lands therein thcrcit
| for the purposes enumerated in this
| section (but not for sale Or disposal
nor for use Oh other lands or by othcl
persons. nor for export from the state
or territory where procurcO, to al
extent not exceeding, in stumpagt
valuations $500 in any one year.
1t is not necessary to secure per
mission from the department to take
timber from the public lands as above
allowed. The exercise Of such privi
lcyc is, however, subject at all time:
to supervision by the department
with view to restriction or prohibi
ton, if deemed necessary.
4. In cases in which the purtic
needing the timber arc not in a posi-
tion to procure it from the publi
lands themselves, it is allowable 70
them to secure the cutting, rcmOy
ING, saving or other manufacture o
the timber through the medium o
others, agreeing with the partic
thus acting as their agents direct, il
taking or otherwise handling til
timber, that they Shall be paid rca
sonablc amount to cover their tim
and labor expended and all Icgitmat
expenses incurred in conncctiu
Herewith, exclusive OF any charg
for the timber itself.
6. The cutting and removing G
timber, free Of charge, under said &C
Of March 3, 1891, is confined to unro
served, unoccupicd, non-mincral put
lie lands, ina>nuch as the act spec
tically provides that the same sIla
not operate to repeal the act of Jun
3, 1878, which makes provision fc
the free cutting Of timber on publ
lands that are known to be Of Il strict
" mineral character.
1t is further provided in said act {
: March 3, 1891, that ''notling herci
!, contained shall operate to cnlarg
the rights Of any railway company
cut timber o.! the public domain,
Consequently. NO timber may be tai
en- hereunder from public lands fC
use by any railway company.
5. In order, however, that suiI
cicnt public timber may be place
upon the market for all lcgitima,
purposes Of trade, to such a reason
able extent as shall meet cXistil
emergencies in the matter of dcmal
therefor. sales Of timber on the unr
served lands in general. mineral al
non-mueral, may be directed by tt
flnn1rt from in,n tirpn