The San Juan islander. [volume] (Friday Harbor, Wash.) 1898-1914, 1903-10-22
EXPLAINS POLICY
COMMISSIONER RICHARDS ISSUES
STATEMENT.
Some Misrepresentation as to With.
drawals of Lands for Entry and
Suspension OF Firal Action Cor
rected--Omce Seeks to Prevent
Collision.

Washington, Oct. I9.-Commissioner
Richards, of the general land Office has
given out the following statement con-
cern1ng the policy and practice of the
General land Office in the matter of the
withdrawal of the public lands from
settlement:
"There seems to be misappreben-
sion respecting Withdrawals of public
lands from entry under certain of the
land laws, and the suspension of final
action upon certain classes of entries
already made. Generally speaking,
land is withdrawn from entry in order
to prevent its being appropriated in a
manner or for a purpose not contem-
plated by the law.
Sin consequence of proposed forest
reserve a withdrawal is made of all the
land that will probably be included in
its boundaries, in order to guard against
speculative entries made for the pull
pose of obtaining lieu land.
withdrawals under the irrigation
act are for the purpose of reserving the
land for homestead entry-the only kind
permitted by the act, and to prevent
speculative entries. Land containing
oil or minerals is withdrawn from agri-
cultural entry, as mineral lands are
sold in smaller quantities and at higher
prices than farming lands.
Occasionally certain areas are with
drawn from entry under the desert land
act, upon the evidence that the land is
not arid land unproductive without ir-
rigation, which alone can be taken un-
der such act.
Suspension of Final Action.
"Final action is often suspended up
on individual entries in certain locali-
ties pending an investigation as tn
whether or not there has been a COM
pliance with the requirements of the
law. There is no withdrawal of land
in this connection. or any suspension Of
the law nor interference with entries
properly made.
Gin November, 1902, there was such
a suspension of final action upon entries
made under the timber and stone act
in Washington, Oregon and California.
This suspension was made upon evil
dence of collusive enries in these states,
whereby individuals and corporations
were obtaining title to large ares of
valuable timber lands, whereas the law
provides the entry shall be made for
the excessive use and benefit of the en-
tryman.
"That this action did not interfere
with entries under this act is shown by
the fact that while there were 2,197
timber and stone entries made in the
states named during the fiscal year
ended June 80, 1902, there we're 6,145
such entries made during the fiscal year
ended June 80, 1908, and of this latter
number 1914 entries were made after
January l, 1908, while the order of sus-
pension was in force, while but 2,179
such entries were made in the entire
fiscal year 1902.
''As fast as the entries in these states
can be examined all of those which
have been properly made are passed to
patent, while the suspension continues
as to the others pending a hearing In
the local land Office. No cancellation
is made upon report of a special agent
until opportunity for a hearing has
been offered the entryman."