The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1901-08-02
SUSPENDED.
Many Proofs Under The Timber and
Stone Act

| Iuduc IcC0HUly.
On account of timber land frauds
discovered in Montana and Idaho,
Commissioner Hermann, of the gen
eral land office, has suspended all
proofs made during the present year
under 1.-THE timber and stone act. y
pending the conclusion of the full in
vestigation and inquiry begun some
months ago.
This action applies to all stations
where government timber land is
purchased and involves thousands of
casses.
Many of the large companies and
spectators, who it is alleged, have
had dummies" rs agents, make pur-
chases Of these lands from the govern
ment. as in Michigan, Wisconsin and
Minnesota.
Commissioner Hermann said:
lowing to the act of congress per-
hitting selections of valuable lands
as indemnity for lands held by indi-
viduals and corporations within tim
Der reservations. a speculation i'm So
called forest reserve scrip has develop
ed. This is the means by which the
owner of such lands within forest
reserves may relinquish them to, the
government and in lieu thereof take
valuable lands out of the unappropri-
ated public domain or may convey his
holdings to another person. he to
exercise the right Of selection.
This practice has been reduced to
a science among spectators and COM
panies in the requirement of large
tracts of timber lands. This has in
duced many Others who are not
owners of such scrip or exchangeable
lands Inside forest reserves to avail
themselves OF an earlier act of con-
gress approved June Is, 1898, 1.-THE
timber and stone act"
"This act limits each purchaser to
100 acres and expressly requires ap-
plicants to swear that the purchase
is not speculative. but is made ia
good faith for his own exclusive use
and that he has made an agreement
whatsoever with any persons for trans
fer of his title"
For many years, particularly the
past year, this law has been grossly
violated and abused by persons who
perjure themselves before the local
land officers. The general land office
has directed It's special agents to
report on any further cases that may
be discovered and all land offices have
been warned TO exercise the utmost
strictness in the examination OF par
ties and witnesses.
Many of the fraudulent proofs made
might have been detected at the time
had the registrars at the local land
offices strictly applied the rules for
proof of sincerity applicants.
For such proofs, however, there has
been a growing irregularity. Il is
impossible for the authorities to de-
termine fraud.
AS quite generally known the tim
Der and stone act provides that Il man
may acquire 100 acres from the gov
eminent by the payment Of $3.50 an
acre. The deal is practically Il cash
transaction, no residence on the land
being required and only sixty day
notice. The law provides, however,
that one person is entitled to only
one entry under this act and he must
make affidavit that he is not buying
it for speculative purposes and also
| that he has made no agreement for
the transfer of his title. But. not
withstanding the law it has been the
practice of many land firms and ium-
| Der companies to pay a man $50 or
800 to file on 100 acres of good tim
| Der land under this act and as soon
as he secures title to transfer it to the
company. 1t is this that the depart
ment wishes to stop, and to do it has
sent local officers a list of additional
questions with which to examine
claimants. Up to the present time it
has been easy for men with elastic
conscience to evade the law us the eX-
animation was not very rigid. Now,
however, the new rules require the
local officers to critically cross ex-
anime every applicant and they are
notified that perfunctory final proofs
will not be accepted by the depart
ment. The additional questions re-
quire information as TO the appli
cant's occupation and compensation
where he first learned about the land
he asks for and why he thought i,
would be a good investment; if lac
paid anything for the information
the amount and Identity of his in
formant; he has to describe tie land
make an estimate of the lumber anC
stumpage on it, and what he expect!
to do with the property. He is ais,
asked if he knows of any company O.
corporation offering to purchase Lane
in the vicinity Of the land he wants
if so, who are they and how did h,
learn of it; did he pay the cost of film.
on the land; the price out of his owl
\ pocket, and If so must tell where h.
got the money and how long he ha,
it, as well as as a number of Othe
questions Of similar purport.
Taken altogether the new rules ar
, as rigid as the department can max
them and the probabilities are tina
they will either result in less fraud
or more perjurers-perhaps both.