Imperial Valley press., 1910-03-26
SETTLERS PROTECTED BY ASSIGNEE BILL Senator Flint Satisfied That
 The Measure Will
 Be Effective.
Valley Delegates Persuaded That Amendments Make the Flint Bill Acceptable Even if it Seems Need lessiy Involved in Terms-Prospect of Early Relief.

MT. Parazette says he is satisfied that the Flint bill, as amended, wiM safeguard the holders of assigned des- ert land entries and put an end to the activities of blackmailing contes- tors, although the bill, which was drawn by attorneys and agents of the Interior Department, is less clear and concise than the one sent to Senator Flint on behalf of the valley settlers and is clumsily worded. Acceptance of assignment by the Interior Depart ment is construed to mean acceptance of transfer of an entry shown on the records of the local land office, and if that construction holds, the bill will accomplish the desired end. The bili has passed the Senate and before the valley delegates left Washington the House committee had agreed to re- port it favorably.
 Under date of March 15, Senator Flint wrote to the editor of The Press:
 ''I have had the pleasure of meet ing MT. Webster and MT. Parazette. have gone over this matter with them and they have suggested slight amendment to the hill, which is en- tirely satisfactory to me and has been adopted by the Committee. This amendment is found on line six, af- ter the word assignments" insert "at the time of transfer" I am sending you herewith copy of the bill with all the amendments. I hope to be able to report and pass the bill some day this week"
 Following is the text of the bill as it now stands:
 Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, That any person other than a corporation who has. in good faith, heretofore acquired by assignment a desert-land entry, in Imperial County, California, which entry is regular upon its face, in the belief that he was obtaining valid title thereto which assignment at the time of trans fer has been accepted and recognized by the Interior Department as a proper transfer of such entry, shall be entitled to complete the entry so acquired: Pro- vided, however. That this Act shall only apply to any person who. at the time of receiving such assignment was without notice of any fraud in the entry assigned or in any annual proof made concerning the same: Provided further. That patent shall not issue to any suck assignee unless he shall affirmatively es- tablish by his evidence under oath, good faith and lack of notice of fraud, and, by the testimony under oath of himsek and at least two witnesses that expendi- ture in the total amount and cultivation and reclamation to the full extent re- quired by law have been actually made and accomplished. Provided further, That nothing herein contained shall be con- strued to authorize any person to hold. by entry or assignment, a quantity of land in excess of the amount authorized by law prior to the passage of this act. And provided further, That nothing here in contained shall be construed to in any manner waive or avoid liability, on the part of the person committing the same. for any fraud or violation of the law