Omaha daily bee., 1909-02-11
LANDS AT Al b On
Bill to Dispose of Some Odd
Franklin County, NebrasA
COME FROM INCORRECT sURvi .
Settlers Had Supposed for Years They
Had Title to Them.
INDIANS ASK AN ACCOUNTING
Northern ArapahOes of Opinion They
Have Been Shortchanged.
NO TRUE SURVEY OF SALT CREEK
Agricultural Department waiting to
Furnish Expert, But People
Benefited Must Pay Part
of the Expense.
ASK AN ACCOUNTING
Northern Arapahoes of Opinion They
Have Been Shortchanged.
NO TRUE SURVEY OF SALT CREEK
lrrom a staff correspOndentO


WASHINGTON, Feb 10-(speclal Tele-
gram.)-Th house committee on public
lands today made a favorable report on
CONGRESSMAN Norris bill 10 authorize the
sale OF certain lands in Frontier county,
Nebraska titles TO which by resurvey have
been found to still rest with the United
States. The resurvey disclosed the fact
that some 400 acres ofNland still remained
as the publ cdomsin. though for many
years under the original survey having
passed TO settlers and Geen occupied and
cultivated by these honlesteaders. The
Norris bill authorizes the secretary OF the
interior to sell, under sealed bids or at
public auction. at his discretion. for cash,
any or all vacant public lands in township
eight. north. range thirty, west of the sixth
principal meridian. which are embraced
within fractional subdivisions which re-
suited from disconnected surveys.
It is further provided by the Norris bill
that a sum OF money equal to the net pro-
ceeds OF the sales shall be pro rated among
the persons who acquired title to the lands
in sections six. seven, eighteen, nineteen
thirty and thirty -one. in township eight
north. range twenty-nine. In proportion to
the loss in area secerally sustained by such
persons.
Indians Want An Accounting.
The secretary OF the treasury today
transmitted to congress letter Of the sec
retary of the interior, asking an approprf-
alton OF 1850 for the employment Of an
expert accountant to figure out the account
OF the Northern Araphoe Indians. 1t ap-
pears In explanation of this request that
the Northern Cheyenne Indians of the
Tongue river afency. Montana and North
ern Araphoe Indians of Shoshone agency.
wyoming, although separate and distinct
tribes, made a Joint treaty with the United
states in 1883 which was supplemented by
another trnaty In 1876 annual appropri-
ations in fulfiIlment thereof have always
been made for the two tribes jointly.
The Northern Araphoe, believing they
have not been receiving their full pro-
portion OF benefits asked. asked that the
question be looked into.
People Must Pay Part.
Senator Burkett is in receipt of letter
from Secretary Wilson. relating to the
drainage of salt creek valley. The financial
cooperation OF local people in making sur
veys and plans OF drainage is necessary
TO work out the main problems relative to
the development of a most economical and
affective plan for drainage of the agri-
cultural lands.
ecretary Wilson in his letter to Senator
Burkett states that his office gives
response to the people Of the Salt river
valley on the ground that by doing so an
efficient plan may be made that the varl-
Gus interests concerned will unite and get
together on the work. 1t is thought that
the contribution Of a small part OF expense
will work no hardship upon the property
holders who are interested In the proposed
Improvement. The sum TO be used for
local labor is necessary for the prosecution
Of the field work and then Secretary Wilson
suggests that a complete investigation and
report. while costing the office greater
sum than named in the estimates will be
COMPENSATED for in a definite contribution
Of $500 from local interests.
Minor Matters at Capital.
Representative Pollard today named Alex
ander Magurrn of Lincoln as alternate tC
take teh examination for admission to th'
naval academy. Magurrn is at present EN-
pioyed by the Lincoln Star as office boy.
Lieutenant G. f. Neal has been detached
in charge of the navy recruiting station
Omaha, and will walt orders
Lieutenant p. B. DUNCAN is assigned tC
duty In charge Of the navy recruiting sta
tion, Omaha. March !.
Rural routes ordered established May /
Nebraska oconoto. Custer county. route 1
sArVing eighty-seven families; Trenton
Hitchcock county. routes / and g. serving
l27 families. South Dakota. Owanka, Pen
nington county. route 1. serving 10 fam
lilies.
Rural carriers appointed: Iowa, Titonka
route 2 Lewis c. Heifner, carrier; Ro,
Budlong substitute. South Dakota, Avon
route g George w. simpson. carrier; Free
H. King. substitute.
Postmasters appointed; Nebraska, Lomax
Custer county, BENJAMIN T. Blackburn
vice c. b. Crisman, resigned. South Da
kota. Ferney. Brown county. Margaret F
Doyen vice {. r. kaper resigned.