The searchlight., 1910-04-22
Fl. PECK INDIAN
RESERVATION
Senator Carter Tries to Have Il
Opened to Settlement Not
Later than March !, 1911.

The following letter from Senate,
Thos.. H. Carter Of Montana, in
regard to the cpenisg Of Ft. Peck
Incian Reservation, is self explana.
tory. The Great Northern Rail.
way officials aud Others are behind
the movement, but they will have
to get hustle on il the preliminary
works. done this season.
WASHINGTON. D. c.. APRIL 8. 1910
Hon. Richard A. Ballinger. Secretary oi
the Interior. Washington. d. c.
My Dear Sir:-Your esteemed favor Of
the 9TH instant. with relation to allotmen,
and aPpraisement Of lands on the Fort
Peck Indian Reservation. Montana. is At
hand. and note therein the statement tha,
the allotments tc Indians will approximate
aooo in number: that the task Of making
the allotments will probably consume the
entire year: and that therefore appraise-
ment Of the surplus land cannot be CON-
menced prior to the summer Of 1911.
fully realize that the department will
proceed with ordinary diligence with the
work of preparing to open the surplus land
to settlement but submit that the condi.
tions presented in this case are extraordi-
nary. and that in consequence an adequate
force of alloting agents should be assigned
to the task to complete the allotments be-
fore September first: and that thereupon
sufficient lumber OF appraisers should be
put in the field to complete the appraise
ment before the first Of December to the
end that the surplus lands may be thrown
open to settlement NOT later than March
first. 1911.
l make these suggestions in view Of an
urgent demand by home-seekers desirous of
settling upon the surplus lands on the
Reservation believe that all the surplus
lands there available will be takens up by
actual bona fide settlers within ninety days
after the local land officers receive instruc-
tions to accept filings.
submit that IL a year can be saved by
extraordinary effort in allotting and ap-
prais,ng these lands so as to open the
Reservation to settlement in 1911 rather
than in IoI2. one year can be saved to the
home builder, and the Indians will obtain
a corresponding benefi, by expediting the
time OF the first payment for the lands set
tied upon.
The country to the East Of the Reser-
vation has settled up with phenominal
rapidity, and the settlers are high-grade,
intelligent and industrious people. The
country to the West and North of the
Reservation as far as surveyed will be set.
tied ap with equal rapidity. and have in
view the purpose Of securing the insertion
OF an item ia the Sundry Civil Appropr-
alton Bill providing for promp, survey Of
all the lands in that section Of the country
by contract. extra force. or otherwise.
! feel confident that we will be able to sup
ply you with funds for the surveys. and il
while these surveys are being made an
extra force could be put to work alloting
and appraising the Indian Reservation
ands we would thereby reapond to Hon.
X. A. Ballinger. ths urgen, demand to
hasten tue time Of settlement
fully appreciate your disposition to
suppor, the movement to procure an extra
for the snrvevs and coo6
IDENTIFY believe that You will. if possible,
expedite the opening Of the Indian Reser-
walton to settlement. Ifaspecial appropri
alton IS needed to enable you to advance
the allotments and appraisals as suggested.
kindly advise me and will endeavor to
have the Secessary money made available.
Very truly yours
lSi1ned) THos., II. CAsTsR,