The Ronan pioneer. [volume] (Ronan, Mont.) 1910-1970, 1912-05-03

During the forepart of April
while returning from Dillon, the
writer had the pleasure of Sen
ator DOMAINS company from
Butte to Missoula. During the
ride the question of patents to
homesteaders on the Flathead
reservation was discussed, and
at the writer's request, Senator
Donlan agreed to do what he
could to secure the issuance of
assignable titles to all who may
make communication proof on this
reservation. At his request a
written statement was immed-
lately forwarded to him at Mis-
soula and the senator took the
matter up directly with Presi-
dent Taft's secretary at WASH
ington. Secretary Hilles seems
to have gotten busy at once and
wrote a letter to Secretary Fisher
and the following is his reply to
same:
Washington, D. c.,
Apr. 18. 1912.
My Dear Mr.. Hilles:
Replying to your inquiry
with regard to suggestion made
by Mr.. E. Donlan of Missoula,
Montana, as to the advisability
of issuance of final certificates to
entrymen on the Flathead Indian
reservation, / have to advise you
that am heartily in accord with
the purpose of said suggestion.
In fact, this department has gone
further in advocating the issu-
ance Of muniments of title to
the entrymen upon said reserva-
ton, and Of it's own motion, on
March 10, 1912, prepared and
transmitted to the chairmen of
the respective committees on
Public Lands, United States SEN
ate and House of Represent
atives, a measure which proposes
that upon the filing by entrymen
of satisfactory proof Of resi-
dence, improvement and culti-
vation, and payment of the In
dian price of the land, patents
shall be granted upon such en-
tries, the patents, however, un-
less full payment for the water
right has been made, to reserve
to the United States a first lien
upon the land for payment Of
moneys then due or thereafter to
become due. This measure was
introduced by Hon. Reed Smoot
March 81, 1912 Is. 5957), and on
April 4, 1912, this department
submitted formal report thereon,
recommending it's enactment. In
this connection, may state that
on March 19, 1912, date of trans
mission Of the draft of measure
in question to the senate and
House of Representatives, the
Department advised Senator Dix
on of the action taken. Copy of
the bill as recommended by the
department and introduced by
Senator Smoot, copy of depart
mental recommendations OF
March l9 and April 4, 1912, and
copy of letter to Senator Dixon,
dated March 19, 1912, are here
with inclosed.
| think that those who have
demonstrated, by residence and
cultivation, that they are BONA
-FIDE settlers should be assisted
in every possible way in obtain
ing money from the banks when
they find such assistance neces.
sary, and l am heartily in accord
with Mr.. DOMAINS suggestion.
In addition to the specific &C.
ton taken and described above,
| have urged in my annual re-
port and elsewhere that amend.
lnentS SnOulQ De maze 70 Inc law
which would carry out Mr.. Don.
lan's suggestion even more ct
fectively than the method he
suggests. ,
The form of certificate which
Mr.. Donlan advocates is similar
to that used in ordinary cases
where full compliance with law
has been had, and the concluding
clause certifes that upon pre-
sentation of same to the Com
missioner of the General Lane
Office the entryman shall b.
entitled to receive a patent fol
the land above described" !"
Mr.. Donlan suggests that sucl
certificate be issued upon com
pletion of the term Of residence