The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1904-04-01
LAND LAWS.
Senator Hansbrough Knows
Whereof He Speaks.

a dispatch from Washington of
March Is says:
Senator Hansbrough today charged
in the senate that the movement to
secure the repeal of the desert land
law, the timber and stone law and
the communication clause of the home
stead act were due to the efforts of
lobby composed mainly Of the
holders who bought in large tracts
from railway companies, and who
desire thereby to increase the de-
mand for their property.
He agreed with Senator Gibson, of
Montana, in the contention that the
timber and stone act and the forest
reserve lien land law should be dis
posed Of to advantage. Speaking of
the desert land law, Mr.. Hansbrough
said that it practically was the only
statute under which a private entry
man could secure land for irrigation
in the arid states. He also spoke
in support of the Communication clause
|of the homestead act.
Mr. Hansbrough intimated that
there was an Interior motive in the
movement for the repeal of the laws
in question, saying that there was in
Washington an organization prepar-
ing the way for the repeal of the de-
|sert land law, timber and stone and
communication laws. Speaking of this
organization he said:
II am satisfied that it is the pur-
pose of this organization to enhance
the value of private holdings in scrip
and lands" He said in this connec-
tion that he made no charge that any
senator or member of the house OF re-
representatives. was interested in any
such an organization. He added that
lone of the individuals connected with
this organization has been receiving
a princely salary from one of the land
grant railroads for the past six years.
l find, upon Investigation" he went
on, "that a great syndicate has re-
Gently purchased at the price of 70
cents an acre large body of land from
the Union Pacific Railroad company,
and the managers of that syndicate
have been here in Washington, con-
ferring with officials to secure the
repeal of the laws in question:
He also said.that'there were sawmill
interests in different parts of the
country which have large holdings of
land who want the laws repealed in
order to crowd out small holders.
When, therefore," he added,
senators talk of syndicates of cattle
men, land barons, ETC., and when peo-
pie on the outside accuse senators
with being the agents of such syn
dicates, think it no more than fair
that attention should be called to OF
her syndicates interested in the re-
repeal Of the laws"
Mr.. Newland expressed the hope
that the land laws might be mater
tally modified. Monopoly of land, as
serted Mr.. Newland, had been the
cause Of most of the series of Euro
pean wars. He said that concentra-
tion of land holdings in California
had interfered with the proper deve-
lopment of tbs state.
Mr.. Dubois said that the charges of
frauds in the public land department
were sweeping indictment of the
public land laws, and he for one re-
sented them. He had never known a,
case under the desert land law in Ida
no, and in view of the fact that it was
the only law under which lands in the
state could be settled, he thought it's
repeal would be calamity He
thought the time for large holdings
of lands had passed away, and said
the only legitimate complaint to be
made against the execution of the
land laws at present was in connec-
tion with the use of the forestry scrip,
most of which he said was held by
railroad companies.
The musicale and lunch this even
ing at the M. e. church promises to
be successful event. A fine program
has hpen nrenared and q lunch will no