Gilpin observer., 1910-09-22
Furnished the observer Weekly by
Clyde n. Tavenner, Special Cores
pondent.

Washington, Sept. ZU.-One OIL Inc
most important bills passed by the
recent session of Congress, from the
viewpoint of the western states, was
the one allowing agricultural entries
upon coal land. 1t applies to some
thing like forty million acres of land
withdrawn as coal land. throughout
the west, and nine millions of it is
situated in Colorado.
At least one-third and possibly one
half of this land can and will even
tually be entered on the surface as
agricultural land under the provision
of this bill, resolving the right to
the coal to the government.
The bill Is known as the Mondall-
Taylor bill. 1t was originally introduc-
ed by Mr.. Mondall. of Wyoming, but
in its original form did not protect
the rights of the agricultural entry
men on the land. Representative Ed
ward T. Taylor of Colorado, after 4
strenuous contest extending over
several weeks, succeeded in getting
into the bill a provision protecting
the surface property rights Of the
agricultural entryman. and compelling
the ceal operators in case the entry
mans property rights were interfer-
ed with, to pay full damages there
for. Mr.. Taylor, who is a Democrat.
considers this service the greatest
he has rendered to the west during
the entire session of Congress-, be-
cause, he says, nearly one-half of the
land withdrawn as coal land Is good
fore been wholly shut up and no en-
tries allowed thereon.
This law not only opens it up to
settlement. but by reason of the Tay-
lor amendment fully protects the
property rights of the surface entry
man. and allows a large number Of
Cary act projects as well as other
projects which have been held up, to
at once proceed.
Another measure for which a great
deal of credit is due Mr.. Taylor Of
Colorado grants the homestead set
tier of the west a leave Of absence
from the dry and barren land upon
which he has been maintaining res
idence with his wife and children for
several years, hauling water to drink,
being unable to get away on account
OF the government requiring contin-
uous residence Cn the land. and per-
or city where they can get work and
send their children to, school until
such time as the government can
complete and turn the water into the
canals. and enable them to irr.gate
their land. Mr.. Taylor took personal
charge OF the measure in the House,
and by most dilligent and urgent
work succeeded in getting it passed
on the last day that the bill could
be given consideration under the un-
animous consent rule.
Another measure fog the relief Of
settlers which this energetic western
Democrat worked for and secured wa
one which allows settlers under re-
clamation projects. after five years
residence. to sell a portion or all Of
their land and permits them or their
assigns to pay the government price
for the land. The settlers under the
reclamation projects are nearly all
poor people. The government price
per acre is about $65. The result is
that the settlers cannot pay the gov
ernment the price of $65 because
they have no way Of acquiring it. But
as soon as they can make the five
years proof the most of that land is
worth from $50 to 5000 an acre. By
being able to sell fourth or a half
Of their tract they can secure enough
money to go ahead.