Lewiston evening teller. [volume] (Lewiston, Idaho) 1903-1911, 1904-02-18

Mr.. Norman Jackson. clerk Of the
state land board, is in the city from
Boise In reply to . question concern
ing the work Of the state lHhd depart
ment Mr.. Jackson said;
THE variety Of highly important
matters that are under the jurisdiction
OF the state land board is but faintly
appreciated by the general public and
II may not be out Of place for me TO
explain in ii general way the scope
of the work The sale and rental or
school and special grant land is stiIl
the primary work Of the department.
but other matters are rivaiing II III
importance. For instance, the invest
ment Of about three quarters OF "A mn
lion dollars Of permanent funds mas
claimed the constant attention or the
board as web as throwing a heavy
task upon the small clerical force OF
the department. The farm loaning
feature of itself has grown TO such
proportfons that the examination of
abstracts of title. preparation of mort
cages and notes and securing of relia-
BILE reDorts upon the desirability of
loans offered is equal In volume to
that of many exclusive farm loan COM
panies. In every community from
which applications come We secure
man OF undoubted integrity to make
written report based on careful per-
sonal examination. In Nee Perez
county we rely upon the judgment of
M. L. Goldsmith and are confident that
he ha a.
lt-edged In addition several thou
sand dollars are invested weekly in the
bonds of school districts. 1t is to be
hoped that all districts needing new
school houses will avail themselves of
the opportunity TO make these i'm
provements while these funds are. to be
obtained
THE seven large Carey act irriga-
ton enterprises now in various stages
of progress win have a wonderful inhu-
enoe upon the development of Southern
Idaho. and the welfare Of thousands OF
settlers who viii make homes IN the
lands that are being reclaimed depend
largely upon the ability of the state
land board To secure and enforce con-
tracts between the state and the COM
panies that will be just alike to the
home builder and the man furnishing
the. money. These Carey lands are
for actual settlers only. who make en-
tries and final proof before the state
land department in a manner sor'e-
what similar to the procedure in the
United States land offices. Any one
who understands irrigation affairs can
readily fgresee that important and del
tcate problems must he met and solved
when these vast enterprises are In
full operation. Idaho ia the pioneer
state In carey act work and IL is to be
hoped that the benehcent object of the
law wIll' DE kept in mind by those who
will beygven the administration of It's
provisions, as therein will depend the
success and happiness of many future
populous communities.
1.-THE selection of lands with which
ia fill the grants to the several state
institutions Is also of vital Importance
These lands and the proceeds there.
.fIpm constitute permanent endowment
for them and the highest and mos
honorable business ability obtainabl,
I'm the state should be utilized In theil
behalf. The same Is true in regard t,
the magnificent, gift to the common
schools of the state OF sections is anC
SO in every township. The prope
handling Of this immense heritage Ii
OF such tremendous importance that /
should, be the object OF jealous atten
ton from the best class of citizens
The disposal of the states timbe
has been arrested by the present board
and in reviewing the sales made jus
before II took charge some startling
facts are secured. For instance. tn
timber from thousands upon thousand
of acres of land was sold at from 121
cents up TO 50 an acre-not averaging
the value of an ordinary TELEGRAPH
pole. Not only that, hut the purchase
was given twenty years time in whic
to remove the timber. allowed the ben
eft OF the growth for twenty year
without charge. Much of il is Ian,
on which If the timber were removed
the state could secure an annual renta
of one dollar an acre per annum TO
agricultural purposes. However. as
is now tied up, II will be some eiehtee,