Polk County observer. (Monmouth, Polk County, Or.) 1888-1927, 1910-01-14
SILETz BILL MAY PASS
OSWALD WEST BRINGS CHEER
Full NEWS FROM CAPITOL.
Oregon Delegation Confers With In
terror Department Heads on Case
of Original Homesteaders.

Firmly convinced that the Siletz set
tiers, eventually, will secure relief
through Congress and finally obtain
patents to their lands, Oswald West,
State Railroad Commissioner, return
ed last night from Washington. While
at the National Capital Mr.. West ap-
peared before Secretary of the Inter
ior Ballinger and the members of the
Oregon delegation and made
thorough presentation of the case of
the Siletz homesteaders. The delega-
ton from this state will seek to Sc
cure the enactment by Congress of
| legislation that will meet the situation
fairly and give to the settlers what
they contend is their due.
"On the day of my arrival in Wash
ington, 1 attended a joint meeting of
the Oregon delegation" said Mr.. West
at the Seward last night. cat this con-
ference 1 presented the case of the
original settlers. On the following day
another meeting was arranged which
was attended by Secretary Ballinger,
Assistant Secretary Pierce, Commiss-
ioner bennett, Assistant Commissioner
Schwartz and the attorneys Of the In
terror Department At this meeting the
entire Siletz case was gone over.
Ballinger Favors Mberality.
Assistant Secretary Pierce and the
General Land Office officials stood pat
and attempted to justify their action
in turning down the hon1esteaders on
the ground that the law governing the
Siletz reservation lands provided for
three years actual residence, claiming
that this law should have strict con-
struction. contended that inasmuch
as this law provided that the three
years residence should be established
by such evidence as was then being
required by the Government in matters
of homestead proof, it should have
liberal construction, for, at that time.
the Government was very lenient with
homesteaders and required very little
showing when application was made
for patent.
Secretary Ballinger agreed that the
act should have had a more liberal
construction than that given by his
subordinates, but since the office had
taken this stand there was nothing to
do but stand by it and the settlers
would have to look to Congress for re-
lief. He authorized the department at
torneys to assist the delegation in
drafting bill to cover the case and
agreed that if the bill, as introduced.
should be referred to his office ne
would not oppose it but would con-
tent himself with reporting the facts
shown by the records of his office.
Relief Is Expected.
'I think / told the Secretary and
his office force few things about the
Siletz situation they never knew be-
fore. When 1 left Washington had
little hopes of being able to do any,
thing for these settlers, but believe the
prospects are now very favorable for
relief. The members of the delegation
from this state are anxious to secure
patents to those settlers who have
been acting in good faith and have
been making an honest effort to COM
ply with the homestead law. They are
all working together in this matter
and undoubtedly will be able to Sc
cure favorable action from Congress.
I'm the meantime the Secretary of
the Interior has agreed to hold the
entire subject in allegiance and permit
no further contests until Congress has
had an opportunity to pass on such
measures as may be introduced by the
delegation. ."-Thursday Oregonian.