The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1910-11-25

timber land They have taken the mat
Ter under adTsement and--De timcs-res
fcrred the details attending the sltua
ton, to one George Day. the state land
OF the campaign In Fremont county for
the purpose OF making deal with the
Mormons up there who wished TO enter
the land which the state had the prefer
ence right To select. Tor their votes, in
lieu nf the stale failing. as IL did. TO
exercise lis preference right OF selec-
ton.
What faith can the people OF Idaho
have in any report which Day may
make as TO these timber lands?
What feeling of security Will follow
any recommendation he will make What
brand OF Justice and equity will attach
TO his recommendation IN regard TO the
state Of Idaho selling this timber land?
During the heat OF campaign Re
publican state official accused Mr.. Day
OF having carried a check book OF the
Austin Sheep company. one of the large
Fremont county sheep concerns TO which
This uafficking state land board let a
crooked land lease for pure political pur-
poses. and the charge is yet undenied
by this distinguished Mormon appontec.
The officer has met The accused face TO
face, and he has NOT denied the charge,
and the chances are he Will refrain from
the attempt 10 deny ii. This charge,
and the failure 10 deny IT,, is tantamouut
10 plea OF guilty and carries with II
The altogether reasonable conclusion that
Day. the state land sclcctor, was per-
sonally Interested In the Austin Sheen
company which shared in this crooked
ease. II stands 10 reason that the peo
pie OF the state VIII have slight conf
dence i'm any action taken by the present
state board OF land commissioners. pre-
dicated \on report from State Land Sc
lector George Day, The board Itself. with
It's present composition. will require
certificate Of character from some higher
authority than he TO impress people Of
the state with It's honesty or It's sim
n II al
gether within the realms OF propriety
for the board to postpone definite ac-
tion until the installation OF a board
which the people of the state believe
Will act on it's affairs without any sin.
lister consideration.
In the public press OF the state is re-
vealed also the news that certain Carey
act contract is TO be modified. This is
the Castle Butte or Snake River Land
Irrigation companys contract Tor the
irrigation OF certain lands on Snake
In the columns of The Tribune.
II is sincerely hoped tha; this will be
an altogether commenda BILE Carey act
project. II Is 10 be hoped that no settler
on these lands VIII be disappointed be-
cause OF the form OF contract granted 10
the promoting company.
Should Be Cautious.
The present state land board however
should be cautious in the change OF con-
tracts previously made. however for the
very good reason that the sentiment of
OF purpose. There are further enquir-
ing agencies to look into their record.
For instance there are grand juries
Both these inquisi;orial agencies may
probe state land board matters. The
spirit Of the people is ripe for informa
tion, 1t NAV be said that the public de
mands a knowledge of the acts of the
state land board II is entirely proper
that Tdahoans should know wha' IL snv,
attempt was made 70 revel in the state
Carey act reserve fund What. il any.
portion OF il has been used to pay the
expenses OF the state land board over
and above the legislative appropriation
OF two years ago. in the sum Of So
400 made TO cover all its expenses
What If any, lands were acquired by
state land board members In Carey act
and projects. The water rates OF which
were fixed by the members OF the board
and what lands we're acquired by their
appointees. Why the Payette Lumber
'onpany procures the land upon which
Its timber stood at the minimum selling
ace Of $40. Why d lease was made bv
their order spread six months in ad-
vance to the Big Four sheep concerns OF
fremont county FOR five years when q
the same community Why the state
failed TO exercise its preference rights In
the selection of the lands which it had
asked 10 be surveyed for that especial
purpose III county Nn9t money
members of the state land board had in
vested IN the Medhury irrigation project
Why the HALEY bank was not closed
when ii should have been. and whether
the Indebtedness of the state bank ex-
aminer 10 said institution had anything
TO do with the delay in its declaration
Of insolvency.
Matters Of Inquiry.
It will be altogether within the province
of discreet legislature to enquire fur
thcr az 10 the Clagstone charges against
Governor BraGyS expense account. The
papers are on file with the attorney gem
einl. and then people Will be interested
In knowing their contents that they may
be able 70 Judge both the cali er of the
former speaker of the house. who made
such a distinct hullabnloo about the in
ciocnt. and what measure of regard has
been given to this inhibition in the new
direct primary law so recently adopted
as a species Of reform legislation
All these matters are directed to the
| attention Of the peope and OF the Idah
state land hoard with the solemn njunc-
tio,a. Lest We forget"