The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-03-17
TO PAY ACTUAL Settlers.
REPRESENTATIVE JONES INTRO
DUCEs A BILL IN CONGRESS.
Washington Farmers Favor Grout
OIeomaranrine Tax Biii-Const
Interstate Commission Meeting
Changes In Mails and Pensions.

Special Dispatch to the Post-Tntelligeneer.
WAsHINGTON. March l6.-Repre-
sentative Jones has introduced bill 10
provide pay for the Improvements OF
actual settlers upon public lands Included
within the forest reservation upon the re-
iinquehment OF their lands to the UntIed
States. It's provisions are as follows:
ANY person qualified TO enter public
lands under the laws OF the United states
and who has IN good faith settled and
maintained a residence upon any public
lands Of the United states which may be,
or which have been, included within any
forest reservation subsequent TO the date
of such settlement shall be entitled, upon
q proper REIMBURSEMENT Of such lands 70
the United States, To receive in money the
reasonable value of such improvements
at the time OF the passage OF this act, or
where such lands may hereafter be in
cluded IN any forest reservation, then the
reasonable value OF such improvements
at the date OF the establishment Of such
''rhe reasonable value Of such improve
ments shall be determined by the secre-
tary Of the Interior under such rules and
regulations az he may prescribe.
THE value Of the improvements OF such
settlers upon lands now within forest re-
serves shall be determined within three
years from the passage Of this act, and
the value Of such improvements upon
reserve ss ebaii ~ aeterr,jned wifbin 0. ons
year after such inclusion.
ANY ouch settler desiring to avail him
self of this provisions OF this act, shall file
In the general land Office deed rein-
gushing bis right 10 such lands such as is
now required by law to relinquish lands
TO the United States and shall then be
entitled TO receive the appraised value Of
his improvements determined as herein
provided.
any way affecting the right Of any such
settlers TO feltnqtiisd their lands and Sc
ioct others IN lieu thereof ms provided by
law, but Is additional thereto"
To Ala Discharged Soldiers.
The house committee on public lands
has favcrably reported bill embodying
the best features OF several bills intro
duced In the house all having for their
object the extension of the homestead
laws Of the United States to honorably
discharged soldiers who served i'm the
army. navy or marine corps Of the United
States during the late war with Spain OF
IN the Philippine Instruction
The favorable report OF the committee
was written by Representative w. I.
These soldiers are deserving of every
consideration at the hands OF the govern
mont No better disposition OF our public
lands can be made than to dispose Of them
10 actual settlers. All reasonable encour-
agernent should be given to secure settlers
upon the public domain, To secure this.
and also as matter nf reward 10 its
honorahiy discharged soldiers the United
States has pursued liberal policy In al
lowing CREDITS. for time OF service IN the
wears residence required az homestead
applicant
I'm the late war with Spain and in tho
Philippine instruction the period OF actual
service varied Some saw but little serv-
lee, while others served a much longer
ported In order to do justice to all as
nearly as possible, the committee was OF
n" n.lnion that the following credits
fhould he allowed on the terms OF resi-
dence required by law, TO wit; To those
who served less than six months should
oe allowed credit OF six months to
those who served q period not exceeding
twelve months should be allowed n credit
Of twelve month"; ana To those who aerv-
cd over twelve months should be allowed
credit OF the aetual term of service
1T was also thought as a matter OF
Justice, that any soldier who was dis
charged on account Of wounds received or
disabilities Incurred In the line OF duty
should be credited with the fun term OF
The benefits Of the act have also been
extended 60 the widow of any deceased
saldier, or. In case OF her death or remar-
nase, 70 the minor children II also pro-
vidrs that n the soldier died during his
term OF enlistment the entire term Of en-
istnlent SHOULD be deducted and that in
no case shah the credit TO be allowed 10
the widow or minor chi'aren he less than
enc year.
eFiwinatfnn IA favor or these soldiers as
aeaiRsg the soldiers ~ the civil war. is
more than offset hy the lack of desirable
lands for homestead settlement"
To support tho Grout ntIt
Many farmers and aairymsn Of the state
ef Washington have written 90 their rep
resentattves r eeaEress VrEi0g them Nv
wspparr ts~ GFuu, hln Witch provides for
az e 70 cents pound on oieomarsarine
eolg~e6 80 Initiate yellow hutter Tho bin
deys no increase the prr~eat tax cu ths
pnceiaF~f article
The Washington u~sryraen's Association
wh}ch met ffnsr tlv at North Yakima and
wtinh So u said ia fhe iarrest ana frio4f
eaceessfui agricultural association $40 the