The Minneapolis journal., 1905-11-13
BAD LAND FRAUDS
Barred IN IDAHO
Secretary Hitchcock Will Proceed
Relentlessly Against the
Land Grafters.
By w. w. Jermane.


Washington, Nov. 13.-'!'I am not
prepared to say that the land fraud
disclosures in idaho which have Just
those of Oregon,' said Secretary Hitch
cock, today. after he had looked over
reports lust received from his special
agents "But I will say that the Idaho
situation is extremely bad. Twelve
persons were indicted last week by the
grand jury. We have thirty-two con
fessions from other persons, and we
shall have over 100 witnesses.
"The report from our special lnspec-
tor, who has been quietly working up
these cases there, tells of immense
frauds in northern and southern Idaho.
We present no cases to the department.
of Justice unless we think we have ba-
sis for conviction.
The Fight in Nebraska.
"In Nebraska the last phase of our
campaign. which has there been direct
against the eg is
forgiveness and mercy. They are
willing to tear down their fences, pro
.vided we quash the indictments. Our
answer is that we shall fight until
they are either convicted or acquitted;
that there will be no compromise IN
this business, and the department OF
Justice, which is in hearty sympathy
with our efforts has given instructions
to it's officers to go to the bottom.
HThe reason [ am not willing to- for
give and forget is that we have been
for two years trying to harmonize. the
situation so as to permit grazing, IT we
could do so on fair terms to the govern
ment and the cattlemen, but some OF
those who are now seking mercy occu
pied themselves then in manipulating
the state Legislature and causing the
postponement of our efforts in congress
SO that our harmony program was de
feated.
"We purpose to put up with no more
nonsense, and offenders who have
blocked our efforts at conciliation in the
past will now have to get along with
such mercy as the courts give them. -
Restored to Settlement.
The secretary of the interior has re
stored l,102,7 acres of land to settle
ment in the Bismarck land district
which was temporarily withdrawn from
any form of disposal in connection will
the Bismarck irrigation project. These
lands, however, win not be subject tt
entry fling or selection under public
land laws until ninety days after notice
by such publication as the commissions,
Of the general land office may prescribe
Belle Fourche Project.
Reports from Engineer Walter, il
dicate that the construction Of the inle
canal is proceeding rapidly, and tina
ifSnot interfered with by unfavorabl'
weather, the contract of the Widell
Finley company will be fnished by Jan
i. At present 100 teams, two shovels
and two graders drawn by traction en-
gines are engaged upon the work. Som
difficulty is experienced in securing for
age for horses. Farmers are holding
crops for higher prices which they be
ieve will prevail next spring when tn
work Of construction begins on the res
ervoir dam. Labor in the valley is ex
ceedingly scarce and commands hig]
prices.
The progress Of the work on thu
diverting dam has fallen off, owing tt
the fact that much Of the gravel dellV
account of an excess Of clay. Crushet
limestone from near Deadwood will b.
used for the balance of the work.
Farm Unit Maps.
Final copies Of the farm unit map
f. Of the Belle Fourche project are bein,
made and will be ready to file by Dec
owned by the state have been mad
and fled with the land board.
Sugar manufacturers from Detroit
Mich, have examined the project and
seems probable that when the actua
reclamation begins, one, and perhap
two, sugar factories will be establishe
there.
The land reserved for a townsit
twenty-five miles east of Belle Fourch
and twenty-five miles north of Sturgis
will probably be needed for this pu1
pose during the coming summer, an
subdivision in town lots will be made a
an early date