Omaha daily bee., 1910-04-02

ones choice from The situation has
assumed this shape: The government bets
the entry man $40 acres against S14, the
price of the original entry, he cannot live
on the land five years, and the govern
ment is more often the winner. That fact
Of itself should be sufficient reason whys
the remaining lands will not be appro-
priated under the homestead Laws, even
the Kinkaid law.
since 1t should be apparent to every one
by this time that the land cannot be dis
nosed of to actual settlers for homes as
contemplated under several homestead acts,
the question is what disposition should be
made OF it? My idea is, first, that the
general government, through the national
forest service, select all that it can pos
sibly utilize in growing trees, or for other
useful experiments or demonstrations. Jack
pines are grown successfully and other
varieties. no doubt, can be made to grow
under proper study and care After the
several tracts had been selected for these
purposes a commission might be appointed
TO visit and appraise the lands and appor-
ton them between the several stockmen
and farmers owning and occupying the
lands contiguous. This would keep OUT
speculators who would buy the lands fol
no other purpose than to force the stock
men and actual settlers to pay an unreason-
able price for their grazing privileges. 1t
would allow the stockmen to readjust their
fences and own them jointly. 1t would
cheaper the cost OF keeping cattle and
sheep, alike to the large and small stock
men; would materially increase the number
of live stock grown and marketed, and
tend, at least. to the lowering Of the cost
Of meat products TO the consumer. 1t
would be more economical for the stock
men for the reason that he would not be
obliged 70 employ additional help in men
and horses TO herd his stock on the open
range, which he Is not allowed now to
fence, although he occupies II TO some ex-
tent without paying the government any
thing. The land, less any which might be
appropriated for conservation purposes.
would become taxable for state, county,
| and better than both, for local school dis
I trict purposes, II is hard 10 support schools,
no matter how far separated in the sand
hills by reason OF the large bodies Of un-
/ taxable government lands.
"Of the new comers into the country, who
entered under the Kinkaid act, many will
stay the full time OF five years to acquire
title, but are finding it extremely difficult
TO make ends meet. 1t is, therefore, my
opinion that while they have lived on their
lands In good faith and are in every way
entitled 70 patents for the same from the
government, having received their patents.
1t will not be long thereafter before num-
Der OF these tracts will pass TO neighboring
stockmen, from the fact that their $40
acres will not support enough live stock
TO make them living, Is too light to farm
to cereal crops. and they will not be able
TO SECURE any addition 10 their $40 acres,
unless some such method OF appraising and
| aPportioning the remaining lands as l sug-
gest shall be adopted, when, OF course.
they will come in for their share Of the
increased area.
In causing the lands to be appraised and
sold, l believe a small payment OF say
| one-tenth, should be made In cash. the re-
naming 70 be paid in nine annual pay
ments, deferred payments bearing per
| cent interest. In aIlotting, the commission
| should allot as nearly as might be found
practicable, In the same ratio as land Is
/ held by the contiguous owners. AS a Ne
| braskan. l. Of course would like to know
that the proceeds would enter the general
I school fund OF the state, but the land be-
longing 10 the general government 10 be
disposed OF by congress. We should be salts
/ fled could our delegation secure a part OF
these proceeds for the state. The land
paws nothing now. but in grazing. the
stock men use Il without consideration.
They are dissatisfied. however. because
there is always a question as 70 who should
occupy II, and I believe. the time has ar
rived when the question should be settled
and titles passed TO some one. There Is
no need Of further efforts in deluding con-
gress. the prospective hOmesteader or ouT-