The Rathdrum tribune. (Rathdrum, Idaho) 1903-1963, 1908-03-06
INCOME Of LAND BOARD
Register N. |. Church Reports
Excellent Condition.
HOW DEPARTMENT WORKS
Conducted with Exactness of Great
Banking Institution.

| ~SSSN WAlA GA0NIuCSS VI Va ca
Banking Institution.
To the Honorable State Board OF
Land Commissioners, Boise, Idaho.
Gentlemeu:-
have the honor to submit here.
with report Of the state land de-
partment for the year 1907. showing
a summary of the receipts and the
disposal made OF the same. Also a
comparative statement OF the business
transacted by this department prior
to January l, 1905-a period of four
teen years from the organization of
this department, and the business
transacted from January l, 1905, to
January |, l908-a period Of three
years.
The Eighth session OF the Idaho
legislature provided by enactment for
the organization of the State Land
Department. The State Board of
Land Commissioners have since been
working under that law, and the de.
partment, it Is felt, is now thoroughly
rc-organized on business basis. At
present the affairs of the state land
department are conducted with the
exactness of a great banking institu.
tion. AS in wisely administered
bank, the books are balanced every
night at the close of business, the
receipts are quickly reinvested, and a
careful accounting is made of expen-
dtures.
The records of the land department
are now 10 perfect condition. The
special grants of land by Congress for
various objects. which aggregated
66S, ,Os0 acres, have practically all
been secured. there remaining only
so acres still unsolicited.
A successful campaign looking to
the leasing of school lands for grazing
and agricultural purposes has been
waged. The selection of lands 10
indemnity for losses in the common
school grant is being prosecuted with
success, and it is hoped that by the
end of the present year the existing
indemnity losses will have been
practically satisfied. .
The total cash receipts of the land
department of the thirteen months
ending January l, 1908. was $l,l73,-
120 So. or this amount $567, ,O95. 90
was by reason OF repayment of invest
ments, and $606, O24 60 on account OF
land and timber, Interest on deferred
payment, rentals, interests on invest
ments, Carey Act and land Office fees.
etc. The cost of conducting the de-
partment during the year 1907. Was
S27, ,56l.S5.
On January l, 1908, the Investment
account showed that the department
in possession of state warrants, bonds,
and farm loans, aggregating $2,O75.-
6S6.05 In addition there was an
unpaid balance on account of land
sales of ST.. 534, ,029 76. These deferred
payments draw interest at the rate of
percent per annum. The actual
Investment of funds drawing interest
on January l, 1908, was consequently
So. 900, 1851.
During 1907 there were. sold of
special grant lands, 8,877.91 acres
for $lOl, ,568.0l. and OF common
school lands, 18.238.60 acres, for
$26l, 1881 IS. During the year 49,
555 90 acres were, leased five years,
rentals collected amounting to $9.-
$40 SO, and Is. 23429 acres for one
year, rental collected amounting to
So, ,25I.lO. Timber on 0,677. 30 acres
of state land was sold for $3.50 1920
The policy of the department in the
sale Of timber has been to dispose of
only scattered tracts, likely to loss by
fire. The large bodies of timber
lands have been held intact.
During 1907 the state selected in
satisfaction of its special grants and
common school land losses 3I.52O
acres, all but $500 acres being in-
demnity selections.
For the purpose of shDwing some Of
the advantages that have resulted
from the reorganization Of the depart
ment under the law Of 1905, the