Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1913-02-14
FIVE L0CCED.0FF
LAND BILLS NOW
IN LEGISLATURE
Development of Western Washing
ton Through Clearing of Many
Acres Seems Assured.
METCALF PLAN IS LIKED
Hanson's Scheme Also Favorably
Considered-Bausman Bond Is
sue Not Generally Approved.

WV ~SSS NSAA~AOA @AHPA0vVNs
Out of the five different plans that
have been suggested for the develop
ment of Western Washington through
the clearing of logged-off lands, the
present legislature doubtless will ap-
prove a plan whereby Western Wash
ington, long the neglected portion of
the state, may attain that progress to
which she is entitled, through the
richness Of her soil, her proximity to
markets and her equable climate.
These plans, briefly summarized,
are:
The Bausman plan-Provides for
the issue of $20,0OO,000 in state bonds
to be used in the purchase of logged-off
lands, their improvement by the state
and their sale to settlers.
The Hanson plan-Provides for the
issue by counties of form of bonds
which shall constitute a lien against
the property, the money to be used in
aiding settlers to place their logged.off
lands under cultivation.
The Robe plan-Provldes for the
adoption of the European farm credit
system. It proposes that bonds be is.
sued which may be handled by bank
ers, the conditions requiring that all
money derived from this source be
used in the improvement Of the lands.
The Metcalf plan-Provides for an
appropriation Of 100000 for the pur.
chase of equipment and the conduct of
Investigation and experiment in meth.
DDS Of clearing logged-off lands. Clear.
ed lands will be sold. with appraised
cost of Improvements added and the
fund used for further work. This
project deals only with lands owned
by the state.
The Condor plan-Provides for q
state bond issue of $4,000 900 to be
used in clearing, reclaiming and plac
ing under water a tract of 100000
acres in the Quincy irrigation district
OF these Senator Metcalf's plan Of
developing, and improving the lands
now owned by the state, through the
medium of convict labor. appears tc
be the most popular. Not few of the
legislators incline to the view that the
problem should be given test before
the state launches the development
work on large scale, and they look
upon his idea as the most feasible
His measure creates a revolving fund
of 100000, which is only borrowed
from the state general fund and when
the need of 1t is ended, can be re
turned.
Under its provisions the state will
select from the public lands those suit
able for agricultural purposes. Their
the experts of the University Of Wash
ington school of forestry and those
who have made a special study Of
clearing logged-off lands will be asked
to recommend the best ways for clear
Ing them.
All the necessary machinery and
equipment will be purchased from the
100000 appropriation asked. The
lands will be cleared ready for cultiva
tion, the pro rata cost to be assessed
against each tract. When these lands
are sold this pro rata cost and the in
terest thereon will be added to the ap
praised value and paid with the value
OF the land under the present law. one
tenth at time of purchase and one
tenth annually at per cent unit
paid for.
The work of clearing will be done
by convict labor where possible Sen
ator Metcalf also urges that by thus
improving the land and selling 1t or
the installment plan as rapidly al
cleared, much of the state land which
Is now idle and not sought after. ant
which does not pay taxes, will be sole
and placed on the tax rolls.
Most of the legislators are inclined
to doubt the advisability Of the Baus
man plan, though they consider 1t al
admirable idea, their chief opposition
being due to the fear that the STATE
would be compelled to pay exorbitan
prices for the land 1t purchased Il
clear and consequently would either
be unable to dispose of it at all whel
cleared or would have to sell 1t at
loss.
CONTINUED on page five.)