East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1906-03-20

AT last way has been found
whereby public highways may be pro-
vided for the reservation and the un-
certainty concerning the status of
the present roads will be removed.
Since the rule was established forbid
ding white men from driving stock
across the reservation every effort
has been made by the stockmen TO
secure a right of way across the re-
serve for such has been essential in
their business.
Major Edwards agent at the reser-
walton, has now solved the problem by
calling attention to federal statute
and department rules under which
highways may be provided across al
lotted lands. The law in question
was passed on March 3. 1901, and the
section which provides for the roads
is as follows:
THE secretary of the interior is
hereby authorized TO grant permis-
sion, upon compliance with such re-
uuirements as he may deem neces-
sary, TO the proper state or local au-
thorities for the opening and estab-
lishment Of public highways in ac-
cordance with the laws OF the state
or territory in which the lands are
situated, through any Indian reserva-
ton or through any lands which have
been allotted in severalty to any indi-
vidual Indians under any laws or
treaties, but which have not been con-
veyed to the allottees with full pow
ers of alienation"
The requirements" OF the secre-
tary of the interior have been set forth
in circular which he recently sent
out They are that the proper legal
steps toward ordering the road must
be taken by the county court: there
must be a necessity for the highway;
where practical, must be on section
lines and do as little damage as pos
sible to the lands through which 1t
passes.
VIII Make Present Roads Public.
Steps are being taken now TO take
advantage of the newly discovered
law and to have the three main roads
now leading across the reservation
made county highways Colonel j. II.
Raley is acting as attorney for the
farmers interested and three petitions
are now being circulated asking the
county court TO establish legal coun-
ty roads along the routes of the pres
ent thoroughfares.
one of the petitions calls for a
road leading from Pendleton south
past Spring Hollow, down Sumach
gulch. up Mckay creek to the post
office, thence on to the Marshall
place at the head OF the creek.
Another route is from the Switzler
place near here, across the reserVa-
tion, past the agency, but over the old
stage road, up the mountain to Dead
Mans Hill and thence along the main
road to Meacham.
The third road asked for leads from
the Adams depot south across the res
ervation, crossing the Umatilla river
at Cayuse. south across the reserva-
ton, up the old emigrant road to the
Blue mountains connecting with the
Meacham road at Dead Mans gulch.
The petitions for the three roads
designated will be presented at the
next session of the county court.
Must BE Approved by Agent.
Under the rules of the department
It is necessary that Major Edwards.
agent at the reservation, must APP
prove of the matter before it will be
acted upon by the secretary of the in
terror. However, as the roads asked
for meet in every way with the re-
auirements set forth 1t is thought
there will be no trouble in securing
such approval, Should there be none
and the three roads be established as
county highways the old uncertainty
and inconvenience connected with the
present road system will be forever
ended. Sheepmen and cattlemen will
then be able to take their stock across
in peace and will be governed by the
same regulations as apply to other