Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1911-08-05

KAY GIVES
HIS OPINION
THINKS ALL THE MEMBERS OF
THE BOARD ARE WORKING FOR
THE SAME OBJECT AND ONLY
DIFFER AS TO THE MEANS TO
BE EMPLOYED.

WnlCn LneTe was an unpleasant cOltTO-
versy between Governor West and
Mr.. Morson, OF the Deschutes Land
company, there have been many in
teryiews given out by parties repre-
senting one side Of the controversy,
which has caused much discussion of
the question at issue, and in which
the position taken by some members
of the board has been misrepresent-
ed. In order to straighten out these
matters, | will state some of the facts
that exist, and my views on the mat
ter.
The Carey act, which provided the
way for the reclamation of desert
land, makes the state officers, who
compose the Desert Land Board,
agents for the United States govern
ment in carrying out the provisions
Of the act, and the title of the said
lands remains with the government
until the land is reclaimed when It is
transferred to the state, which is au-
thoriZed to convey a title to the set
tier, but the lands cannot be sold un-
til after being reclaimed.
Several years ago the Deschutes
Land company applied for and had
set aside some 10000 acres of desert
lands. It entered into the contract
with the state for reclamation, and
1t later gave a personal bond for
100000 for the faithful performance
and carrying out this contract.
Most of the companies which have
been organized for the reclamation of
the desert lands have raised funds
for work through the sale of bonds,
but Mr. MOrsOn, of the Deschutes
Land company devised a plan of
raising funds by selling options for
the purchase of these lands to pro-
posed settlers; or, in other words, by
selling their equity in said lands. The
parties purchasing these options pay
so much down and so much per
month until the purchase price is
paid, and the company is supposed to
dig the bitches and do the work nee
essary in reclaiming these lands with
the money received.
The Desert Land Board has never
endorsed this plan of selling options,
and 1t has always been a question as
to whether or not the Deschutes Land
company is acting in accordance with
the law In dlsposing Of their equity
in these lands, in this way; hence
there has been much dissension be-
tween the Deschutes Land company
and the Desert Land Board.
The present Desert Land Board
has undertaken to secure from Mr..
Morson, president of the Deschutes
Land company, information as to the
number of options sold, the amount
OF money received for same, the
amount of money spent on the pro-
ject, the names and addresses of the
individuals who have purchased op-
tions, and, further, such other data
as might enable the board to ascer-
tain whether or not the Deschutes
Land company is complying with the
provisions of the contract. Mr..
Morson seriously objected to fur
nlshlng list of the parties to whom
options had been sold, with their
names and postofflce addresses, upon
the ground that this was a personal
matter between the company and the
purchasers of said options, and was
no affair of the board Further that,
inasmuch as the board continually
opposed his plan. he feared they
might use such information to his
detriment.
The board stands as a unit in de-
manding the above mentioned infor-
nation, with the exception that a
majority of the members of the board
do not think that the names and ad-
dresses of the individuals purchasing
options is necessary or important at
the present time, while the governor
insists that It is, and that Mr.. Morson
must furnish It and this is where the
governor and Mr.. Morson continually
clash
In the contract between the De
schutes Land company and the state
there is no provision requiring that
such Information shall be furnished: !:
hence the board has no legal ground
on which to enforce its demands.
The method of securing this infor-
nation Is what first caused the differ
ence Of opinion between the members
OF the board, the majority of which
took the position that the board has
no right to try and enforce by threat
or coercion that which they cannot
secure by law, while the governor
and secretary of state insist that the
Deschutes Land company cannot
bring this project to successful con
clusion without the moral support of
The board; hence their threat of
bringing the matter before the post-
otfee authorities, and having them
deny this company the use of the
mail unless they come through with
this information, or suffer the conse-
quences,
A Few weeks ago several letters OF
complaint We're received from pur-
chasers OF said options, and when
TWO Of the members Of the board
went out OF the city, and without no
tlee, the governor called meeting
OF the board, at which time the let
ter which Mr., Morson seriously oh
1ects to, was sent; Mr.. Lewis. the
third member of the board present
at the meeting when this action was
taken, did not concur with their
views. N"
In this letter was the views OF but
Two members of the board, and the
other members, thinking the threat
10 appeal TO the postoIice authori-
ues' ill-advised, that part OF the let.
Ter was recalled, but the board ala
not recede from It's position in de.
the information desired
ana Mr.. MoSon agreed to furnish the
BOARD with statements showing the
location OF the lands selected. the
smount paid, the amount due, and
,he general description Of each op-
u9n OF land and land certificate OF
sole isued To date, together with a
copy OF each form in the different se-