The Billings gazette. [volume] (Billings, Mont.) 1896-1919, 1901-05-31
DECISION REACHED.
state Board Of Land Commissioners
Adopt Policy.

h. ... '~~Hs Ss'Sys n. .H.
The state board of land commits
sioners, by a unanimous vote, decid-
ed upon a definite policy to be pur-
sued hereafter in disposing Of state
lands. The board announced it's de-
cision after a special meeting at
which a resolution vas adopted that
will be observed hereafter.
The most important change is the
decision of the board to restrict the
number of acres of land to be leased
to any one person or corporation, and
to offer for sale the timber lands.
Heretofore there has been no linn
it upon the amount Of land that could
be leased to one person, while the
state has never offered it's timbered
lands for sale, selling only the tim
Der.
The board directs that all agricul.
tural lands belonging to the state
be re-appraised before June 1, 1902,
and all such lands, not then under
lease, be offered for sale. If such
lands cannot be sold they will be
leased, the state reserving the right
to terminate the lease and sell the
land before Sept. l ensuing, after
giving 80 days notice.
The timber lands will also be reap
praised and sold for cash whenever it
is deemed for the best interests of the
state.
In regard to the grazing lands the
board will also offer this for sale at
$40 per acre. If it cannot be sold it
will be leased in tracts not exceeding
GAO acres, the state again r%eserving
the right to terminate the lease and
sell the land whenever the opportun-
ity is offered. In order that this pol
icy may be carried out, the board
adopted a resolution which will be
followed hereafter:
Whereas, 1t is deemed desirable
that some fixed and definite policy be
determined upon concerning the flu
ture disposition Of state lands, there
fore, be it resolved:
"First-That state lands now CLASH
fed as agricultural shall be reap
praised within year from June l.,
1901, and all lands not under lease at
the time same is re-appraised, shall
be sold in the manner and upon the
terms provided by the law. Lands
which at that time are held under
u%nexpired leases shall be sold in the
same manner upon the expiration of
such leases. Where Unbiased lands
cannot be sold within a reasonable
time "a period to ne fixed by the
board), the same shall be leased sub
ject to- the right to sell the same
whenever the state so desires, n o
tees to be given the lessee in such
cases, of intention to sell, on or be-
fore the first day of September next
ensuing and possession to be deliver
ed on or before 80 days thereafter.
"Second-That all timber lands be
likewise re-appraised whenever it is
deemed necessary to ascertain their
true value, and sold for cash only,
whenever deemed for the best inter.
ests of the state.
'"Third-That all grazing lands (the
minimum price of which is $40 per
acre. be likewise sold if possible in
the manner provided by law, and in
the event the same cannot be sold.
that the same be leased in the manner
provided by law in tracts not exceed
ing $40 acres, as provided in the en-
abling act, preference being given to
the adjoining settlers, and in all such
leases that the right be reserved to
sell said lands and terminate said
lease whenever an opportunity to sell
is offered, the lessee to have prefer
ence in the right of purchase; and
that the further right be reserved to
enter upon any Of said land SO leased
to construct bitches, dams, fumes or
reservoirs, under such regulations as
the board may prescribe, in the inter
ests of the state or federal govern
ment, should either require a right CT
way therein under any system of state
OF national irrigation which may be
inaugurated. ."u "..
"Fourth-That the right tc lay Jet
county roads along the section lil.es
of any grazing lands hereafter leased
be reserved so that the state may, if
deemed expedient, consent to the
same.
"Fifth-That in all selections here
after to be made, whether as lieu land
or unsatisfied grants in any county
where more than $4,000 acres have
been selected, all selections shall be
made so tina not more than two Sec