The Minneapolis journal. [volume] (Minneapolis, Minn.) 1888-1939, 1903-09-11
PINELANDS THR0WNAWAY
Gen. c. C.:Andrews Says Government
Has Lost Money in Min =.
nesota.

General G. G. Andrews, chief :Cforest)
hre warden of Minnesota, gave the fol-
lowing interview to-day on the disposal
OF government pine lands:, 80,
Inc Chippewa Indians, of, whom Z, 600 are. liy-
tngin.. a much better condition than. they ever
We're before, once held title to all of the north
ern Minnesota forest. They from time to time
parted with their title to the United States I'm
der the homestead law an actual settler may take
LOU acres or any vacant public land for his home
stead, whether timbered not, if its soil is suit
able for agriculture. 1t is often the case THAT
valuable pine timber is found standing on a quar-
ter section (l6O acres( mixed with birch, maple
and other hardwood trees, and where settler
clearns and cultivates such land nobody can
object If he is lucky enough to acquire some
valuable timber. Every such settler has to take
oath that he takes land for cultivation and not
for speculation. Land which is covered wholly
with pine timber and the soil of which is sandy,
cannot in good faith be taken for cultivation
If the United States had managed its pine tim
Der lands forestry principles it would have had
the timber cold at fair valuation to the highest
bidder, just as the state Of Minnesota is to-day
selling the pine timber on Its school lands If the
government had pursued that course the manufac-
tnrers of lumber would have had fair chance
to purchase timber in legitimate way, and the
lumber would have been furnished to the public
at cheaper rates than now prevail.
Congress. however, did not authorize the gov
eminent to pursue such a policy. Up to about
forty years ago the practice was to sell the pine
timber lands at public sale to the highest bidder
at the various land offices. After the lands had
been offered MANY days the practice was to
discontinue the public sale and allow the lands to
The theory was and it looked well on paper, that
purchasers would honestly compete, but 1t was
found in practice that they would have an un-
Outstanding among themselves not to buy much
land at public sale, but wait and obtain 1T at
private sale at 81 .25 acre. In this way they
obtained pine lands at $1.25 acre which were
worth SO or more per acre.
This system was finally discontinued and new
ways Of dfsposing of the pine lands were ADOPT.
ed, none of which has proved legitimate One
way was the location Of Indian scrip author
ICED by congress. to be issued by the interior de.
partment to certain Indians or mixed bloods and
that the holder or his substitute had right to
select and hold eighty or more acres OF vacant
public land. The certificates, being transferable,
were purchased at SO much TN acre, and could
be used in payment for pine lands.
Another way to obtain such lands was the use
of scrip issued to persons who had settled within
areas taken for forest reserves, and who were
thus allowed to take any other vacant public
lands in lieu Of what they held in forest reserves
still another way IS under the stone and timber e
act, by which any citizen can purchase 16C
acres and no more of pine or any other timber
land Of the United States at $3.50 an acre Some
Of the best transct Of pine land in northern
Minnesota contain from 100000 to 5000, O0t
| feet board measure. Of standing pine on l6t
acres, and work at 81 thousand, the present
average price, from $4,000 to $12, 600. What thu
United States receives for such a tract under the
stone and timber act at $3.50 an acre Is only
$4O0. The purchaser under the stone and timber
act has to make oath that he does not purchase
the land for SPECULATION Remember that he cal
only purchase 100 acres. What does he want II
for unless for speculation. He would not buy
mill and undertake to manufacture 1T himself
| On an average the purchasers of pine timber LAND
under the stone and timber act clear each
i thousand dollars or more, which profit is thu.
taken out of the timber before it comes into ths
| hands, of the manufacturer. This profit mus
| come o. the consumer.
/ submit hat 1t would be very much better fo
1 If the remaining public pine lands in Minnesot,
could he sold direct to the manufacturer, accord
ing to measurement, at their proper value and IL
i such quantities as he desires.