East Oregonian : E.O. (Pendleton, OR) 1888-current, 1906-02-06

That new regime has commenced
upon the Umatilla reservation is now
apparent. and in consequence those
interested I'm the leasing of Indian
lands are awaiting developments with
anxiety Today application blanks
have been given out to those desiring
TO secure leases, and as soon as they
are made out and filed with the agent
they viii be taken up and considered
in the order they are received.
One Section the Limit (?)
Naturally the all absorbing question
Just now Is in regard to how much
land may he secured by one tenant.
Under the department rule the amount
which one man may lease upon any
reservation is limited to $40 acres.
However, as is well known, this has
not been adhered to during the past,
and as a result there are many who
have been farming several sections in
setad OF one.
Last summer this question was the
subject of a thorough investigation
by Inspector Valentine, who passed
several weeks upon the reservation
ard held a public council at which
the white men were heard in regard
TO the matter. After his departure an
order was received by Major McKoin
requiring the 64O-acre rule to be rig
idly followed. However, soon after
further instructions We're received by
the agent, under which he was left
to Judge as to how much land should
be held by one man.
Evidently Major Edwards, present
agent, is still under these same orders,
but he appears to place u slightly diff
ferent construction upon them from
that given by his predecessor. When
questioned this morning upon the sub
iect he said
at is hard and fast rule that not
more than $40 acres shall be rented
nv one man. If more Is desired 1t is
incumbent upon the lessee to prove
that what he wishes is for the welfare
of the Indian. Then when he has
made his showing upon the subject 1t
win be passed upon by myself and
approved or disapproved, after which
il will be sent to the department for
final action"
Possession Given at Once.
However, it seems that when the
agent here has passed upon lease
there will be little danger of its bing
refused by the department, for Major
Edwards says that as soon as he has
forwarded the applications to Wash
ingtop he will at once place the lessee
In legal possession of the land so that
he NAV commence work at once If he
so desires.
At present Major Edwards is en-
gagged in gathering accurate data con-
cerning each subdivision of the reser-
walton that Is open for leasing. This
knowledge will be brought into play
when the leases are examined for ap-
proyal, and unless the price agreed
upon between the white renter and
Indian is considered proper, the lease
will be rejected. Under the present
approved leases the prices paid the
Indians vary from so to So an acre
for one season or from $5 To Sc for
summer fallow. Under the old sys-
TEN of informal leases the prices
ranged from 75 cents to $1.50 for one
year, and from SO to $4 for summer
fallow.
Price Not the Only Thing.
However, the price paid the Indian
is not the only thing that will be con-
sidered when the leases are awarded,
for the character of the prospective
lessee is to be taken into question. Ac-
cording to Major McKoin, the repu-
tation of applicants will be closely in
vestigated, and those having records
of sharp practices, gouging the Indi-
ans or otherwise having a bad effect
upon them, will be barred.
According to Major Edwards 1t will
probably be a month or six weeks be.
fore anything is received from the de-
partment in regard to the leases
However, as stated above, those who
have been approved by the agent viii