The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1906-04-09
STATE LAND BOARD
GIVEN CALL-DOW n
Representative Men of State
Demand Old Minimum on
Selected Lands.
FORMER PRICE $1.50 ACRE,
PRESENT MINIMUM $3.50
Motion Demanding Change Is
Carried by Vote Nearly
Two to One.

This motion which was carried by
vote of twenty to twelve. represents a
portion OF the work done Saturday by
representative men from twenty OF the
twenty-seven counties of the State, who
met In the legislative hall at the city and
county building to protest against the ac-
lion OF the State Board of Land Com
mssloners In raising the minimum price
of selected lands from Sl.s0 TO 500 an
acre.
Commissioners on Deck.
The Land Commissioners appeared In
body. after being requested to do so by
the convention and cndeavorcd TO defend
their action by setting out that there
were only about 10000 acres of selected
lands left in Utah and that n raise of 81
an acre meant $4,000 to the State.
Arguments Riddled.
These arguments were torn to shreds by
such roen as I; c. Canister Of Millard;
William Howard or Emery. j. ID. Call of
Box Elder, John {. Paskett OF Summit.
T. c, Wlnn OF Juab and others. who
pointed out that the increased price was
shutting out the poor man and encouras-
ing big corporations and wealthy stock
men 10 gobble up big areas of innd TO tho
detriment OF the State and the small
farmer.
McCune Calls to Order.
The meeting was called to order by
Chairman George McCune of the board OF
County Commissioners OF Juab county.
who explained the purpose OF the gather
Ing. Mr.. McCunc said that the Increase
OF price had virtually stopped the sale Of
lands I'm his county, whereas the sales
during the year 1905. under the old price
had aggregated $4,000 The people, he
said were discouraged from buying land
under the present conditions, especially
the poor people. The Land Commissioners
amount OF land left for selection. but the
report of the board for 1895 showed there
were 100000 acres available, while the
surveyed lands aggregated close 10 2C00.-
600 acres.
Basis of the Demand.
I'VE want the price of lands reduced TO
the minimum OF $50 an acre said Mr..
McCune, In conclusion. In order that the
lands may get into the hands of farmers
taxpayers-so that the taxes Will be worth
more to the State than VIII be derived
from selling al the increased price ]
also think we should draw UP a protest
and present II to the Governor and the
board of commissioners. 1 understand.
however, that the board has declared that
IL is unoer no obligation to tho people,
being responsible only TO the Governor
Evans Made Chairman.
Mr.. McCune then nominated Abel John
Evans Of Lehi as chairman or the con-
vention. Mr. Evans was elected by
unanimous vote, and A. NJ Leonard of
Emery county was elected as secretary
This was followed by roll OF the coun-
stated that they represented the county,
as whole, or some commercial BODY
therein In majority OF instances one
or more Commits ssioners OF the represent
ed counties answered the call. while 9th
crs represented other strong organiza-
tions having the best interests of their
county at heart:
Men Who Were Present.
Beaver-John F. Tolton. c. 4. Murdock. J.
Box Elder-M. J. Valentine J. p Holmersn
Cache-Not represented.
Carhon-R. w. Crockett.
Davis-Wllliam FTew. Jens Nelson Jam.s
II. I.rkIns.
Emery-A. n. Leonard Andrew Nelson. Will
Gnrneld-L. Haywood
drand-Letter In favor OF proposition to re-
Iron-I. NJ Morsden. Joseph s. Berry, g, T
Topham, L. ". Jones. 81. D. Higbee Levi
Thorey. II. W. Lund
Juao-Georgo McCune, j. w Pe1mon IT q d
wynn, John Cooper. W. L. Croft. Daniel Con
Kane-Letter In favor of proposition to re-
duce.
Millard-T, c. Callls,cr.
Piute-Not represented.
Rich-H. j. Hausor. Joseph Hodges
san Junn-Letter IN favor of proposition to
gard, J. u. Bourgard
Salt Lnko-W. D. Wilson. E d Miller
Sevier-Morton Jcneen, George Toasdnio
Summit-John c. Psskett William Archibald
John Hortln.
Tooole-Not represented.
Utsh-S A Smith Abel John Evans
Clntah-L0ttor in favor.
Neutrality-suspicious. Judd. F. H Snow
Wayno-Letter In favor
Weoer-W O. Wilson. Charles A. HIcken-
wasatch-M a smith
Attitude Of Board.
Chairman Evans said at this time that
he was surprised at tho land board ~ II
took tho ground that 1t was not respon-
sible to the people of the State but to
the Governor, and remarked that tbo
members OF that august body were al az
least responsible TO tho State senate
which confirmed them He also said that
1t nppenred to him that the board. or a
representative of the board should be
present, and Mr.. Holmgren OF Bon Elder
county moved that a committee Of three
be appointed to walt on the Commission
discussion. This motion prevailed the
committee was appointed and few min
utcs later the entire board appeared
Lynch Makes a Spiel.
Chairman Lynch was then heard briefly
to the effect that the board had not bee,
officially advised as To the purpose of the
meeting and that the members of the
board desired light
county. who stated that the BELIEF was
general in certain portions OF the STATE
that tho action OF the board In Increasing
the prico OF land from $50 to S250 ,,ae
retardng the arid land movement and a." ~
was the desire OF the meeting that tbc
land board be heard as 20 its action
Candland Is Heard.
W. D. Cnndland was the first OF tho,
Commissioners 10 talk. Mr.. CandIand said
that he believed that the increase VAS
good thing The land grants, he added
Scre exhausted ard the institutions to
which they were granted would hereafter
have to be supported by taxation or
funds provided BY ,Iit the Goyi9grnment. 1t
was nlso alleged ID tsst % 6od applications had
since the price was increased In June
1905 There was less than 10000 acres
OF lieu lands left 10 tho State Mr. Can1-
land said further. As 10 Juab county. Mr.
Candand said that he understood that as
high as thirty-four bushels OF wheat por
acre had been raised on arid lands. which
was Il large and valuable Weld.
Has all the land that has been applied
for been selected2" asked Mr.. Calllster
Not all WAS the reply Some OF IT
is awaiting action by the Commission
ors."
oP La