The Salt Lake tribune. [volume] (Salt Lake City, Utah) 1890-current, 1911-07-16
POUNDS FIRST
STATE FOREST
Idaho Obtains From the Govern
ment Vast Tract Long in
Dispute.
PART TO BE MAINTAINED
FOR USE OF THE PUBLIC
In All 100000 Acres Revert to
State: Boon Comes From
Taft.
Special TO The Tribune,

II
BOISE. Idaho. July 15.-Idaho is given
complete possession of $4,000 acres OF
some OF the most valuable timber lands
located in the Clearwater national forest
north Idaho. and Included in school sec
tions IS and IS as the result OF the Tlsit
here this week of Associate Forester A
F. Potter. to Boise to confer with tne
state land board and settle the veNlng
question of title to school indemnity Sc
lections. or l6 and 36 as sections In every
township. The associate forester Was
here as the representative OF tho United
States TO carry out the agreement that
was made by Governor James II. Haw-
ley Attorney General D, c. McDousa.L
went TO Washington where n conference
was held with the attorney general;
heads OF the various departmcnts ana
finally with President William II. Iaft'
on the matter OF the claim Of Idaho to
what has been often termed It's pirth-
right,
Long Standing Dispute.
The question OF the right Of the state
10 school indemnity sections Wlthin tor-
est reserves created by the government
has been one that for years has threat
ened to deprive Idaho out of revenue
Amounting. II has often been estimated,
In the millions OF dollars as well as many
thousands of acres Of some OF the most
valuable lands In the state
a greater bart Of the lands included
state is classed as unsurveyed When
the state attempted to take possession or
sections l6 and 3G within each township
In these forests claiming the right to do
so under the admission bill by which the
grant was made bV the government TO
the state OF the indemnity selections.
tho government interfcrred, declaring
that until surveyed sections 16 and 3b
belong to the government and not 10 the
state
The matter was taken UP by the leGis-
lature and resulted in a committee going
10 Washington headed by Senator A. 6,
ISer1s TO find out II something could not
be done by which the state could hold
It's right and gain possession to the land
wanted. Following the trip OF this com
mi1tee. Governor Hawley. accompanied
by Attorney General McDougall, made
1be same trip and this time consulted
with President Taft. who took the stand
that Idaho should not be deprived or the
lands vested to II BY the admission bill.
He stated that the matter would he taken
up and Strengthened out. hence the visit
OF Associate Forester Potter.
Gives State $4,000 Acres.
The land board and associate forester
conferred on the matter for date with
the result that the federal government
presented 10 the state the $4,000 acres
of timber lands IN the Clearwater nation
Al forest. In return for which the state
agrees To maintain the land to be ellmi-
mated as state forest to be used Tor
J
ing the understanding that the state In
keeping up the forest Will follow out the
plan OF the government In conservation
OF the public lands that are timbered and
the maintenance OF water sheds and
protection OF streams
Il am sure that the action taken by
the state officials Will be very crafty
ing 10 President Taft and Secretary
Wilson as il is directly In line with their
idea OF forest conservation" stated Mr.
Potter, The state of Idaho has, ex-
school sections 16 and 36 into compact,
solid bodies by tho exchange OF these
scattercd sections for lands OF approAl-
mate value and character.
This will be very agreeable TO the
forest service as this policy Is directly
In line as that upon which il has been
proceeding for some time past 1t Is
the principal object for which n bill was
I Introduced by Congressman Hammer OF
Idaho at the last session OF congress, a
! bin that passed the house but failed In
the senate, II has been redraftcd and
introduced by Senator Borah during the
present session. The passage OF this
Dill VIII clear up amy doubt that might
exist as TO the authority OF any western
state 10 make such exchange. But in
view OF the recent decision OF the sG
preme court II is probable that the state
OF Idaho has the necessary authority 70
proceed with the consolidation of It's
school lands without awaiting the further
action OF congress.
similar agreement was entered into
Ip'lHffU tic StErtlaTF OF agriculture ana
fihe state OF South Dakota. A commits
ksion was appointed TO examine the lands
land determine their character and value,
land II Is expected that this commission
lw:il submit Il report in "A short time UNI
lder which lands VIII be eliminated from
Itho Black Hills forest reservation and
tenable that state 10 have its school lands
IN compact body Idaho is far in ad
Vance OF South Dakota for tho reason
tthat IL has already practically made Its
denominations and knows just what II
Wishes to do.
81, is understood that as the result Of
lthe agreement entered into between the
lassociate forester and the land board
lproximately 500 900 acres. By the elimi-
Inaiion OF the 70. 900 acres In the Clear
water national forest the first state for
lest IS created In Idaho. this state taking
Lthe lead OF all others In this one par
btlcular as II is the first to boast OF n
state forest made possible by the federal
government"