The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1910-04-22

OF this great area we were able to
save a few thousand acres before the
first blanket forest proclamatlons
came. and since then have d scoVered
and selected in lieu of said sections
16 and SO some semi-arid lands III
other parts of the state, whlch SOME
times in the dim and misty future
may command the minimum price
for which the same can be sold un-
der our constitution.
But. after making all due credits
and allowances, the public-school
fund of my state is still entitled TO
about 100000 acres, and in order
to secure this and carry out the very
evident intention of congress as we
are asking the enactment of this leg
station. not in the interests of Ida
no alone but in common justice to
the II states that comprise the
Rocky Mountains and Pacific West
almost all of which have been caught
in a like unfortunate predicamcnt.
1.-The lands of Idaho now availa-
BILE for lieu selections are mostly in
the southern half of the state, and
are arid and semi-arid in character
requiring the artificial application OF
water to make them valuable for
agricultural purposes. Their irriga-
ton products are becoming con
stantly more complex, difficult and
expensive of accomplishment.
Because of these conditions in
dividual and neighborhood efforts
along the line of canal construction
are impracticable and impossible,
and either the government or large
corporations commanding immense
financial resources alone can and
now do undertake these enterprises
In very recent years approximately
100000 acres of these lands in
Idaho have been segregated under
the Carey Act for the purpose of
reclamation, and, as is well known
by every member Of the house,
these lands are offered for and sell
to settlers at soc per acre, as the
law provides.
1.-THE lands available for settle
ment under the government projects
are open for filings under the home
stead act, and, so far as the land is
concerned, cost the entryman moth
ing but the required land-office fees.
AS remarked before, under the pro-
visions of our state constitution
school lands cannot be sold for less
than $40 per acre, and it is therefore
apparent to all that the school lands
of my state can not be successfully
sold, even at a minimum price, in
competition with those included Ill
Carey Act or government projects.
"And even If the lieu-land selec-
lions could be sold at the minimum
price, the school fund would unduly
anu many vi
the school sections which have been
included within the natural forests
are covered with valuable merchant
able timber, the stumpage value OF
which in some cases, has been esti.
mated at from $4,000 to $4,000
per section. 1t was evidently the
intention of congress in making the
original grant that these values
whatever they might be, should inurt
to the benefit of the school funl Of
the State of Idaho: otherwise tn,
grant never would have been made
Subsequent legislation, executive
action and the decisions of our courts
all unforeseen contingencies, hav,
made it impossible to carry out thi
intention, and thte legislation in thi
bill proposed is designed to, and al
a matter of fact will, meet all of the
exigencies of the case. 1t has tn,
uneeuivocal Endorsement of the Sec
rotary of Agriculture and the favor
able report of the committee on Pub
lie lands, and, l sincerely trust will
meet the approval of this house"