The river press. [volume] (Fort Benton, Mont.) 1880-current, 1911-02-22
WEDNESDAY, FEB. ~. 1911.
PREYiNG UPON THE SETTLERS.

The influx of q large number OF set.
tiers who desire to establish homes In
Montana is attracting the attention OF
land spectators who hope to profit
from the existing conditions and future
developments. AZ long 90 their OPP
erations are confined to Legitimate
methods there should be no criticism
of those engaged in such kind OF bust'
ness, but In come cases, according to
current rumor, these speculators con-
spire with entrymen to evade or VIC.
late the provisions of the land laws
for the purpose Of advancing their
personal interests.
This class of land speculators cor.
responds with that element which is
described in scriptursl language as
one that tolls not, but prospers from
the work of others. They add nothing
to the wealth of the community, their
efforts being directed toward defeat.
ingtthe b%eneficent intent ofithe landlaws
and ~diverting to their own use a por.
ton of the settlers financial resources
that would otherwise be applied to in
creasing the productivity of the soil.
1t is alleged that some of these land
spectators induce settlers to make
homestead entries by promising to
purchase their holdings when final
proof is made. Such an agreement,
OF course, is unlawful, and the settler
who becomes a:party to 1t must COM
init perjury in complying with the
terms of the contract. In other cases
settlers who:6le upon land are prom
ised q certain price for their relin.
quiehment-s proposition which Is
also illegitimate, and which contem.
plates false swearing on the part OF
the entryman.
These and similar schemes to &C.
quire control.ofjportions OF the public
domain for speculative purposes are
more reprehensible than the old.time
and.grabbing 2methods by which
wealthy individuals and syndicates
sought to secure title to large areas Of
territory. In the latter case the lane
illegally acquired was made to con
tribute, to some extent, to the wealth
of the community; but in the case o
the land speculator, q rake.of on th'
purchase price or cost of acquiring
the land is the end in view,
The effect of ;such methods is dis
tinctly to theidisadvantsge Of the bon
fde land.seeker and home builder
The entries made for speculative pur
poses diminish to that extent the mum
Der of locationslopen to filing by set
tiers who would become permanen
residents and,cultiv ate the land. Th
fact that thereIare but few, II any, de
sirable tr acts Of government land upol
which they can locate causes them tt
migrate to other localities, or to &C
cept the terms..of the land speculate
who has illegally acquired relinquish
ments or ~titlesifor sale. The cost c
acquiring q location In this name
reduces the resources upon which th
settler dependsllargely for success.
The commuta alton clause Of the home
stead law, whichlwas enacted for th
relief Of settlers who act in good fsitt
greatly facilitates the schemes of Ian
spectators In various parts Of th
country. 1t enables them to secur
control of the property In q compare
lively short time, and is believed b
the federal authoritids to be ofte
abused ia this connection. It's repe.
has been urged Of various occasions
but as its purpose Is benefcent
would be better to so safeguard II
application that it cannot be used
speculative schemes. The welfare ,
the bona fide settler is of far mol
Importance to the general communi,
than the prosperity Of the lar
speculator.