Fergus County argus. [volume] (Lewistown, Mont.) 1886-1946, 1900-02-21
LEASING OF PUBLIC LANDS.
Full Text of the Bill introduced by Senator Foster OF
Washington.

The bill introduced by Senator Foster is as follows:
SeoonL That such of the public lands west of the Goth meridian oft ongi-
tude, west from Greenwich, as n the Judgment of the secretary of agriculture are
more valuable for grazing than for other uses. shall be subject to lease for grazing
purposes.
Sec.2 The secretary of agriculture shall furnish to the secretary of the in
terror from time to time lists of the lands that are be leased under the provisions
of this act designating IN such lists the lands that ar to be included n each sepa-
rate lease. and the minimum rental per acre fol- the area to be included N each
lease. and upon the receipt of such lists the secretary of the interior shall instruct
the commissioner of the general land office to proceed to lease such lands in &C.
cordance with the provisions off this act
Secs After lands shall have been leased under the provisions OF this act,
they shall not be opened for filing or entry Under any of the landlawso of the United
lands arr entered as mineral lands under the land laws o. the United States they
secretary of the interior.
Sec That the money derived from rentals shall be converted into the
treasury of the United States, and one-haf the gross amount collected in such
states shall be paid to the treasurer of that stat, to be used for irrigation and other
agricultural development in such way as its egisature may direct.
Seca The rate of rental in nj case shall be less than cent pert crep Der N
mum; the amount Of annual rental in any one lease shall not be lessth 80 and
no lease shall be made for longer period than ten years; provided. that any lease
may be renewed for me or mmep periods not exceeding ter ears upoa the ap.
pova of the secretary of agriculture and at such rate or rental as he may designate.
sece Anleaes made under this act shall be for the smallest area compat-
ide with the best utilization o the land for grazing purposes.
Sec T. After lands shall have been leased under he provisions of this act. it
will be unlawful for any n except the lessee 10 ener upon such lands fort epur-
pose of grazing stock thereon, and such entry shall be deemed a msdemeanor,
punishable by fine ct to exceed $500 or Imprisonment for a period not exceed
ing six months. or both. and the fines collected shall be paid iDtothe public schools
funds of the county in which the lands where the oHense va committed ar stu
atd.
Sec 1. Leases shall be- made only o citizens OF the United States who are
residents of the state n which the land is located, or to corporations organized I'M
der the laws of that state.
seca Whenever in the Judgment o the secretary of agriculture iii to the
interest OF 1.-THE United States to consolidate areas of grazing lands for leasing under
the provisions of this act the secretary of the interior is authorized to exchange
public grazing lands with the states or private owners for other grazing lands of
practically equal value.
Sec l0. The ecretary of the interior and the secretary of agriculture shall
jointly prescribe the necessary rules and regulations for carrying into effect the
provisions of this act.