Bismarck daily tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1881-1916, 1910-07-17

Washington, July 16.-There will be
no government treasure box OF pubic
lands opened for the land hungry OF
America this year. This is asserted
definitely now by authorities of the
land and Indian offices at Washington,
and is a blow to the schemes OF many
who had hoped to take part in govern
ment lotteries for valuable reservation
farms
The outcome is unpleasant also for
several people who have been indus.
triously advertising the lands Of the
Yakima reservation, located in the
state of Washington, and Offering to
sell information about them. Activity
of this kind has resulted in drastic
action by the federal land office. The
inspectors division Of the postoftice
department has been asked to keep
this class of advertising out of the
mails and to prosecute firms engaged
in misleading innocent land seekers
IN connection with the Yakima reser-
walton opening.
1t has been advertised that 100000
acres would be opened to entry at
Yakima. As a matter of fact, the
government has no lands to sell there,
az j no other reservations ready to
put upon the market. 1t has eight
valuable reservations under process OF
preparation, three of them under au-
lhority of the congress which has just
adjourned. 1t has choice assortment
OF town lots in South Dakota and Ida
no. which it will sell to the highest
| idder. and valuable parcel of farm
ing land down near Lawton, Okla,
which Is also to be auctioned eff in
tlnct: OF eighty acres.
But Ct the thrilling government lot.
tc:ies srch as were held in four states
last year. there are to be none in 1911.
'phe Yakima reservation. near The
southern edge of the state Of Wash
ington. was the only one in which a
public drawing was expected this year.
1t has been found now that the claims
selected by the Indians have exhaust j
ed all of the good lands in the reserve. !
The Indians have become good enough i
farmers to pick their lands with care;
and the ground they have left for the
white man is not worth a hill of !
beans" according to the men who are
appraising and classifying the proper
ty for public disposal.
There is nothing in this reserva-
ton which would justify bringing the
people here for the purpose of regis
tration." says the chairman OF the va
kima appraising commission. in a re-
port to the land Office. After the al
lotments shall have been made to the
Indians, there will not be quarter
section in the reservation open to set
tlemant on which person can make
a living or that would be suitable for
any purpose but grazing"
No Others This Year.
None of the other reservations will
be opened this year. Congress passed
bills authorizing the opening of the
Fort Berthold reservation in NORTH
Dakota. The government already had
authority to open the Blackfeet and
Fl Peck reservations in Montana. and
the Colville reservation in Washing
ton and work has been progressing
upon all of them. In no case, how
ever. can it be completed in time for
public lottery this year.
The steps preparatory to the open
ing of an Indian reservation are ted
ious and cannot be hurried because
of the demand of a land hungry pub
lie. A treaty must first be negotiated
with the Indians of the reservation to
be opened. After its approval by the
secretary of the interior, congress
must pass a law authorizing the entry