The McCook tribune. (McCook, Neb.) 1886-1936, 1904-10-28
AS TO OUR LANDS
LAWS IN RELATION THERETO IN
NEED OF REVISION.
so SAYS THE COMMISSIONER
The Present Statutes Were Enacted
to Meet Conditions Which Have
Passed Away-Question of How Best
to Take Care of the Grazing Lands.


WASHINGTON-"The land laws OF
the United States need revision" said
Commissioner Richards of the gener.
al land office today. Many Of the laws
on our statute books are made for con
ditions which existed twenty years
ago, and quarter sections of land up
on which homesteaders are permitted
to file must give way to larger areas
Of land because the best lands are oc-
cupied. The forestry laws and timber
and stone laws also need revision, and
the commission appointed by the presi-
dent, consisting of Mr.. Pinchot, head
of the forestry division Of the agricul-
tural department; Mr.. Newall, chief
photographer Of the geological sur
vey, and myself, expect to make a re-
port to congress based on an investi-
cation and data now at hand. And yet
all three of us find it hard to give this
subject the attention it really de-
serves because of the duties Of our
several positions, which take up all
our time"
Upon the subject of the opening of
the Rosebud in Gregory county, South
Dakota, Mr. Richards stated that about
half the lands had been taken under
the drawing at 81 per acre. On Nov
ember 8, three months after the time
at which the drawing occurred, the
books will be closed for those enter
ing on homesteads. After November s
the land remaining may be taken at
So per acre, that period extending for
three months, or until February Of
next year. After that date all lands
remaining undisposed of may be filed
upon at $3.50 per acre for a period of
four years. Upon the termination of
that period the president is permitted
to dispose of the remainder by sale
under the rules and regulations Of the
secretary of the interior.
GA most excellent class of people
entered Rosebud country during the
opening of the reservation and draw
ing for locations" continued Mr..
Richards. MANY of them were people
of fair means. otherwise they would
not have bSen able to comply with
the terms laid down. These people will
be great addition to the South Da-
kota population, and cannot help but
be good citizens. We have found many
cases where people, after once look
ing at the land, decided to go else
where, and there are cases where per-
sons drawing low numbers have failed |
to settle upon much valuable land. Of |
course, this number was small, but it |
showed that the time between the in |
tention of filing and the time in which |
to put up the money weeded out many |
persons and resulted in |
an exceedingly better class of settlers.
Zone of the geratest problems which |
confronts the interior department is |
the question OF how best to take care |
of the grazing lands of the country.
I think that if we could |
lease these lands to cattle and sheep |
men surrounded with every safe
guard for the government, that it
would be a most excellent way of
getting out of existing conditions AS
pushes onward the great
public domain is absorbed and broad
acres OF untitled soil grow smaller
every year. The cattlemen and sheep
men, realizing this. drove their herds
far afield, and if the government could
obtain lease money from these cattle
and sheepmen it would not only give
them protection, but be adding to the
treasury"