The watchman and southron. [volume] (Sumter, S.C.) 1881-1930, 1909-04-07

as we'll as the legal status of claim.
ants, If such there be, to tracts rec
commended for administrative use.
When no legal right to the land ex-
lists, but the occupant has construct
ed or purchased improvements, an
equitable price is agreed upon for
these before any action is taken to-
ward withdrawal Of the land from
entry.
Settlers and homemakers are de-
sired upon the forests and even when
their claims are invalid every advan-
tage is given to those who show good
faith under the Act Of June II, 1906.
In cases where there appears to
exist sufficient reason to request a re-
examination of lands that have been
reported unfavorably under the terms
of the Act, the Supervisor is given a
copy of the applicants letter of pro-
test and every consideration Is shown
the settler or applicant
Occasionally 1t occurs that there is
an honest difference Of opinion be-
tween the applicant for a homestead
and the examining officer as to the
agricultural possibilities of the land,
or the ability of the applicant to full
fill the requirements of the homestead
law. In such cases 1t is the policy of
the Service to hold the June II appli-
cation in suspension while the appli-
cant Is given a free-use permit for
sufficient period Of time to demon
strate his ability to make a living out
Of the land and to establish a home.
If this demonstration is successful the
homesteader can be credited for the
time so expended when making his
final proof after the land Is listed for
homestead entry.
Free-use permits also provide for
immediate occupation and cultivation
Of the SOIL where, in the opinion of
the Supervisor, the land applied for
is likely to prove. upon examination,
TO be chiefly valuable for agriculture.
In all cases present occupants wheth-
er settlers or permittees, are protect
ed in their rights; and when for any
reason. the land is listed for another
person. time is allowed for harvesting
growing crops or for the removal or
sale of improvements.
Compared with the area of the for
ests themselves. the amount of land
available for entry under the Act of
June IL, is not great. II lies mainly
in the valleys in narrow strips or
pockets. and frequently # is impossi-
BILE to obtain 100 acres within the
mile limit Of extreme length set by
law.
Many thousands Of applications
have been received, and of these
reasonable proportion have been re-
ported favorably. During the months
OF December and January, ~ cases
IN District were recommended IA
vorably to the Department of the In
terror, representing an aggregate of
5,0O8 acres listed. This District
comprises Utah. Nevada. Southern
Idaho, northwestern Arizona and
southwestern Wyoming. During the
same period ~ new applications were
received.
At the end Of the field season
few cases usually accumulate owing
to the delays incident to settling con-
flicts. and the correction of unavoid-
able errors. These are disposed of as
the winter season slackens the ac-
tivity in the field. An earnest effort
is made at all times to keep the office
work abreast Of the field examfna-
tions. in order to av i'd delays to pros
pective homesteaders.
With the experienced force now
available 1t is believed that more
prompt and efficient service than ever
will be afforded the public during the
season Of 1909.