The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-03-01
SOLDIERS ANDPUBL|C LANDS
BILL TO EXTEND LAND LAWS FOR
THEIR ADVANTAGE.
Those Who Served In Spanish War
to BE Given Credit for Two Years
Time ON Homestead Claims
Committees Favorable Report.


tee Of the house committee on public
lands, viii report fayoraby to the house
bill extending the public land laws to
the soldiers OF the Spanish war. Several
bills looking to this purpose have been
introduced in the house and all referred
to the subcommittee OF which Mr.. Jones
is the head. He has embodied the best
features of all in one BILL which Will be
reported TO the house with the sanction
of the committee. II provides that every
soldier who enlisted for the Spanish war
shall have credit upon a homestead claim
equal to the amount OF his service. Most
of the measures as introduced provide
that every soldier should have a credit
for full two years. regardless OF the
term of his service.
The bill prepared by Representative
Jones VIII give to every soldier who serv-
ed any length of time under six months.
six months credit and to those who serv-
ed six months and less than twelve
months. one years credit. and to those
who served one year and less than two,
two years credit. That Is every soldier,
regular and volunteer, who may elect to
take up a homestead, II ne served over
one year In the war with Spain, will only
need to live upon his homestead three
years before making final proof The bill
also provides that widows and minor
heirs of soldiers who died while In serv-
ice, or as a result Of service. shall receive
the same credits as would have been al
lowed to the soldiers themselves
Further, If a soldier died while in serv-
ice. or a result of his service his widow
or minor heirs will get the benefit of
full term of enlistment Of two years
credit upon the homestead claim
Rebate ON Land Payments.
Representative Jones feels quite conf
dent that the bill to repay SIS per
acre to settlers who took up land within
the limits of railroad land grants that
were afterward forfeited. will pass the
house and become a law. The bill which
will be reported to the house by the pub
lie lands committee Is the bill introduced
by Senator Mcbride of Oregon, which
mas already passed that body. Conse-
auently. II 1t passes the house It needs
only the presidents signature, Mr.. Jones
states that there is no trouble about get
ting majority report OF the public lands
committee upon this measure. He has
canvassed the committee and knows that
majority Is In favor OF IL. but there IL
quite a strong minority opposition II Is
hoped that after a little they will be able
to mollify this and get unanimous re-
port when the bill is presented to the
house
The department of the interior has
made favorable report upon the lieu
land bill introduced by Representative
Jones. relating to forest reserves, "A full
explanation of which by Mr.. Jones has
appeared In these dispatches heretofore.
Township Surveys.
Settlers In township q north ranges s
and east have been writing 10 their rep
resentative 10 know why the survey of
these townships had not been completed
Commissioner Hermann states that the sur
vey of these townships was provided for by
contract t5i. the returns Of which were
received at the Office in June. 1904 field
al nd fan -
the work was received in November. From
the report OF the examinations IL appears
that a certain part of township 81 north
range east, was executed in accordance
with the contract and instructions and the
department has accepted the same and Civ
en- authority to the surveyor general to de-
clare the land open for settlement
In regard TO the survey OF township ST.
range east. the commissioner SAYS the
errors found In that work upon examina-
ton were OF such character and magnitude
as to preclude It's acceptance in its present
condition and the surveyor general has been
directed to allow the deputy surveyor thlr-
" days In which to show cause why he
should not return to the field and correct
his surveys. These lands are located near
Baker. Skagit county.
boarding OF Vessels.
Considerable objection tas been raised by
| coast seamen 10 the passage Of house bill
sA%. relating to the boarding OF vessels
when the bin was considered BY the COM
| mittee on merchant marine and fisheries
Mr.. Andrew Furuseth. who Is here as the
representative Of the American seamen OF
I the Pacific coast strongly opposed The
| adoption OF the hill In conversation with
l Representative Jones afterward he was
1 asked II his objections could not be over
Nss nfa !.
! the object Of which undoubtedly was for
/ the protection nf the seemeu themselves
/ Mr. Furuseth thought that this could be
/ done and prepared an amendment reading
I as follows.
{ That tho secretary of the treasury be
/ authorized 70 make rules and regulations
I governing the boarding OF veSsess arriving
| At ports % the United States before they
are locked and placed IN security
This amendment was al first refused ~
I the committee bat was aftcrward reconsd.
/ erred and authorized 90 b. reported TIE
bill vail be reported 90 the house IN that
I condition. II there are any further .b-
iections 10 the measure. as 70 now stands
I amended. 70 be Offered by the seameu's
1 unions ~ Puget sound ports the members
| az tho Washington delegation would be- CAD
| 90 know it.
In Lieu ur improvements.
3
/ bill authorizing The secretary % the ntsrio-
/ 10 sall tract % jaui % John G. smith %
{ waua waua. Tor the sGm nf 81 q ger acre
I Smith Was a settler upon ahat il knoNn as
( fsr nAy reservation near F*rt Waiia. Waua
and made considerable valuable improve
/ nlenis thereon. and the proposed selling 90
[ atm % certain lard - small price pcr
Z acre l. sar me p'5rpcSe ~ making good the
Improvements witch he has lost by being
/ ordered ~ the reservation The fansl
{ which tho SECRETARY ~ directed 70 sol Is
/ described as lets ~ II and e ard southWrst
I quarter % the noEihcast hAf % section u
I and the north half 90 lot "a 60 section
| ~ All In township rnrta 81 range Is sas,
/ agErcxatins la = acres
Health BiiIs unnec~ssary.
1 The treasury department has decided
| mat hFis &C health are uot necessary fc-
! vessels proceeding from British Columbia
| ana Northwest territory 90 places In
AlaskA Assistant Secretary sraulaing
| has issued Instructions 20 all collectors