The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-01-17
JONES Still UNDECIDED.
WANTS PUBLIC OPINION ON CUES
TION OF LEASING PUBLIC LANDS.
Writes . Letter to Editors Soliciting
Views of the People-MOndell In
Produces q Bill to Aid i'm the
Reclamation of Desert Lands.

Special Dispatch to the Post-Intelligencer.
WASHINGTON, Jan. 16--Representa-
tive Jones has not made up his mind what
Is the very best thing to be done with re-
gard to the proposed leasing OF public
lands In Eastern Washington and oregon,
as provided In measures introduced In tho
house and senate, notably one by Senator
Foster In the higher body, and by Rep
resentative Mondell. of Wyoming. In the
house Mr.. Jones has, therefore, prepared
statement which he is sending out to
the editors of the principal papers In
those sections of Washington state inter-
ested in these bills. 1t is his purpose
to arouse spirit of discussion in the
public press Of the state upon this sub
1ect. thinking that such a discussion will
produce desirable information, enabling
him to shape his course in the public land
committee Of the house when these bills
come up for consideration. Following Is
a copy of Mr.. Jones' letter:
ITO the Editor: A bill has been intro
leasing Of the pubiic lands n West Of the
ninty ninth meridian Of longitude west
Of Greenwich, which will include the pub
portant matter and is one that has not
been discussed or agitated to any great
extent by our people. l am not fully de-
cided In my own mind as. to what is best
to be done nor am l decided as to what
our people desire i know of no better
way to get the expression and sentiment
OF the people at large IMAM from the CouH-
try press, hence i take the liberty Of
writing to you, as well as to others, asking
that you take UP this matter in your coll
Of the people who are Interested in public
lands that are not likely to be used for
any other purpose than grazing,
Eat the very outset Is the important
question whether or not these lands shall
be left as they now are, free to all. or
whether the government shall enter upon
some policy that will bring to II some
pied lands.
I'm studying this question many matters
be 81 hs Is the ang Of
as 1t now is, than IL measured by the
amount Of revenue that would be received
by h the py system OF Leasing 9a
millions of dollars, great part Of which,
It ID proposed in the bill, shall be placed
In fund to be used sauf for irrigation Ito pun
owner OF stock be better protected by the
system OF leasing than under the present
plan? Shall he be permitted to secure 9
have II exclusively for his own use, pro-
vided he fences 1t: or, is 1t better to leave
the matter as It now is, SO that the range
or pastured by large herds OF cattle and
horses? 1t must also be considered that IL
leasing y for t the owners ys Of
likely lease large tracts of land and in
close them. Any person desiring to Sc
cure small range will also have to in,
close that. and in consequence we will find
our own country all inclosed. Which pol
Icy will subserve the interests of the
greatest number Of our people? OF course,
after this question Is determined, II 1t
should be determined that leasing Is tho
best policy. then this is simply matter
"Of course, in any bill for leasing the
public lands there would certainly be pro-
visions giving the farmer preference
right to lease a range nearest his farm.
Ayxy DvVVnr Ian sod IN ma 1aF~
would also be limited in quantity and the
amount to be paid would be regulated by
the government, or probably would be de-
OF land within minimum limit. The price
per acre is determined by the bill at
cent per acre.
II would deem it a very great favor. in
deed. If this matter We're agitated through
your columns and the views and express
sions of individuals and communities as
certained. The matter of course, should
not be decided upon the spur of the mo-
ment, nor should It be decided from bias
or prejudice. but after careful and PAINS
"V''sea' 's S'A'e wv so L. JONES'"
Bill to Lease Public Lands.
The last bill which has come before the
EASING pabiic lands is that introduced by
Representative Mondell. Its purpose is to
aid the public land states and territories
in the reclamation Of the desert lands
and to enable settlers and occupants to
lease limited tracts of graxing lands in
each state and territory. Those accepting
the terms of the act within two years OF
its passage will be authorized to lease
not to exceed 100000 acres of the vacant
nonmineral public lands not otherwise
reserved west of the ninty-ninth meridian
Of longitude west from Greenwich. One
half of the rental so received is to be APP
piled to the survey, supervision and con-
struction of irrigating works. including
storage reservoirs, and the remaining
ing and to the support of the public
schools as the legislatures of the several
states and territories may provide.
The title OF all lands SO leased shall
remain in the United States. as part of