Coeur d'Alene evening press. (Coeur d'Alene, Idaho) 1907-1929, 1908-12-05
BORAH TO CHANGE
LAND LAWS
Would Reduce Time Of Resi-
dence to Three
Years.


The departure of the remaining
members of the congressional contin-
gent took place yesterday when Sena-
tor W. E. Borah left for Washington
to arrive by the time congress opens
in regular session Monday of next
week. Senator Borah has been the
last to return to Washington of the
4 national representatives of the state.
Senator Hepburn left several weeks
ago. accompanied ny his ser. arg
Addison T. Smith, the latter, now
ever, stopping off at Twin Falls for
few weeks. Congressman French
also returned east some time ago
and, as he was not re-nominated by
The state convention, Thomas r. Ha-
mer of St. Anthony, having been Sc
lected in his place, the present ses-
sion will be the last that Mr.. French
will attend, says the Capital News.
To Work for Idaho.
The members of the Idaho delega-
ton in congress have work cut out
for them during the session soon to
open, including the introduction Of
measures which are of vital impor-
lance to Idahoans and the future ad-
yancement of the state. One of the
most important matters is that which
will relieve the present conditions
which surround the homestead en-
tryman on irrigated lands in this
state. Senator Borah has carefully
gone into this matter and made
thorough study of it, having visited
and inspected the Minidoka project
where the settlers are sadly up
against the severe regulations of the
government. The junior senator is
convinced that some action must be
taken to relieve these conditions and
mat the settlers must be afforded as
much protection as the government
Itself demands.
Would Make Time Shorter.
1t is learned from the very best
sources that Senator Borah will not
Vniy appeal to Secretary Garfield to
extend longer time than the one short
month which has been granted to
ne settlers to make the payments on
nelr water rights, but we will also
na" up and introduce a bill which
"i'i nave as its principle and inn
'O'tant feature the shortening of time
equlred for homestead entry. The
Z" now demands continuous resi-
,ence on homestead entry land for
We years, Senator Borah viii en-
Favor to make the required length
ulne three years. making a cut
'"o years over the present require
len's' Mr.. Borah has not worked
u IN detail the form of his bill,
men he left for Washington. He
~ 10 that upon his arrival in the
apital city.
Expects Opposition.
Il the bin introduced by Senator
lOiah Is sweeping on all land sub
- 10 homestead entry: that is If
= terms of his bill apply to all land
at Is open for homestead entry,
very probable that it will meet
i'n much opposition in both the
- ana house. 1t is generally
l'eued that the cutting of the time
tuired to reside on homestead land
= uemand in all parts of the United
a'es Where such land can be To-
,seu' especially in the northwest
:, ana the Dakotas. Senator Boz
'ohtends that three wears is suf-
.sn' time for the settlers to dem
-. TO the government good
81 u the entry of land as a bona
,eo,9 9s,ler' On the other hand the
800 '''oh to the prospective Borab
stead bill will be much less II
NJ rO''des that the three years time
-. y required Of settlers entering
~ OF semi-arid land. 1t is ar