Bonners Ferry herald. [volume] (Bonners Ferry, Idaho) 1904-current, 1910-04-23

Will Mean twenty-five Million Dollars
To Idaho and Six Times That
Amount to Western States.

<O'f - ~ >R~~~
~ Congressman Thomas r. Hamer's
-. lieu selection bill was today passed
=. by the house of representatives. By
its provisions millions of acres OF
school lands, untold in value, will
probably be restored to the states
Of the northwest, and over 100000
acres to Idaho. The determined
effort of the member from Idaho to !
regain those vast areas of wealth,
of which his own and other states
have been deprived by reason Of
their summary inclusion in the |
forest reserves has born its first
fruit in what is regarded as most
decisive recognition of the justice
OF bis vigorous and persistent con
tention by the lower branch of con-
gross.
Tho ultimate passage of this bill
will mean more to IIaho and the
Northwest than the success of any
other measure now before the
VA. national legislature, although it
perhaps has not received as wide
spread publicity as some which
a have been injected into the program
OF the present administration. Mill
ions upon millions of dollars will
ACCRUE to the states affected. The
aggregate. he's not been exactly de-
tormined, but it will probably ex-
Good e150,OOO,OO0. The Golfers of
tho public schools of Idaho alone
will be swelled by at least $25, 900,
600, for the right is granted to de-
sienate lands within forest reserves
and the state will thereby secure
some OF the richest timbered tracts
in the western country, worth in
certain instances hundreds of dol
lars per acre. The enactment OF
this legislation by the house is re-
garded as an unusual achievement
for man who is serving his first
term.
.ss Chapter one of the story of long
and strenuous fight by the Idaho
representative is ended. The ini-
tial victory was won when Hamer
SECURED the promise of Secretary
Wilson of the department of agri =
culture that he would not oppose
the bill, although he had previous
ly proven most potent obstruction
TO such legislation, With that for
midahle barrier removed, he turned
70 the committee on public lands to
mect and over come the threaten
ing opposition of fellow member
OF that body who from precedent
and prejudice had arrayed them.
selves against this legislation, and
after series of the most sensation.
s.. al sort of sessions, in which he
found himself also beset by unto
ward influences emanating from
outside of the committee, he accom-
plished his second victory, and the
bill was favorably reported to the
house and placed on the union cal
endar.
Tho measure in the final from il
(which it was presented and passed
&,>ds " 10 al follows.
where any state or territor.
owns lands lying within the boun'
aries of a national forest, or wher
its right Of indemnity selection il
respect to school sections within
tho boundaries has not been full
exercised, the said state or terri
tory is hereby authorized, subjee
10 the approval of tho secretary
agriculture, to be given at his dii
erstion, to exchange such lands fo
or make indemnity selections o
other national forest lands of liz
nuantity and value, the same to
selected in reasonably compa
bodies, which lands shall there u
on DO excluded from the nations
forests for the benefit of the sai
state OF territory.
Tho title was amended by I'll
committee to read: "a bill PROV
ing for the adjustment Of the clai