The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1902-01-30

than that they should proceed in utter
and positive disregard to the contract
under which they hold. and that they
VIII understand that this special agree
ment and permission viii relieve them
from the breach Of a contract which il IS
positively necessary for the board 10
embody in the lease. The board IS es
pecially anxious TO settle up all matters
in Lincoln county at as early q date as
possible so that its agents can immedi
dtoIy visit other parts OF the territory
where the timber is being stolen and re-
moved entirely from Tho land. something
with the consent cf tle lessee and some
times wholly without such consent
regret that your club regards the ac-
tion Of the board as arbitrary and
harsh and beg 10 call your attsntion TO
the fact that ii the board desired to he
harsh in this matter it could cancel
almost every Iease in Lincoln county un-
der Il breach Of the contracts above re-
cited. but 1 am well satisfied that upon a
proper understanding OF the matter. TAX
ing into consideration the necessary con-
tract. the desire OF the board to give the
lessee proper relief (as evidenced 10y its
attempt TO reach an amicable agreement
through special agents.. taking into con-
si3eration the responsibility of the obaru
70 the future state of Oklahoma, ana TO
the interior department under the rules
of which department il Is restricted
simply to the power of leasing these re-
served government lands. and taking into
consideration the wuful and malicious
theft and destruction Of valuable tim
ber in some parts of the territory, and
taking into consideration the necessity
for direct supervision, that your club
and the people OF the territory viii up
hold the board both in the proper en-
forcernent of the existing contract
within these eases as well as in its
plan OF relief therefr0m upon request.
examination. and direct agreement
whereby the lessee agrees to pay tor VAL
uable timber used and sold from said
land and positively requiring that a tract
cleared must lie put under cultivation
before further permission is granted to
clear.
It is further not out Of place for ne to
draw your attention to the fact that
when timber taken from the place is used
in improvement that the lessee is award
ed by appraisemeEt the fun value of the
improvements; and that IN case any tim
ber land is broker out. he is allowed
valuation for such breaking at the rate
Of s. per acre, and while this may not
fully compensate MIN for his labor, il IS
an Improvement Of which he cannot be
derived without compensation.
Allow me, in behalf of the board to re-
quest that this matter be given fun and
deliberate consideration by your hon.
orable body, keeping IN mind not only
the unfortunate condition existing in Lin
coin county with which the board fully
sympathizes but the duties Of the heard
in the care Of lands all through this ter
ritory and its responsibility TO the gov
ernment and the people of the territory
and the future state Of Oklahoma.
/ enclose YOU herewith copy of the
form of application 20 be made ~ the
lessee and of the permission granted
by the board. I beg to remain, very re-
spectfully yours.
JAMES J. HOUSTON,
Secretary Of The Board for Leasing
School Lands.
After-enects Of the grip, severe colds