Arizona republican., 1913-03-14
VALUABLE LAND
 NOT EXHAUSTED
Land Commission Denies Operation of Scrippers Has Exhausted Valuable Acreage. More Remains Than Has Been Taken

That there is still much valua ble agricultural and grazing land in the state that will be selected as state land, Is the information among other valuable pieces of information. con- tained in the report 10 the legislature. This news is especially valuable in view Of the many reports that have been circulated over the state to the effect that the good land in the state has been well nigh exhausted owing 10 the operations of the script own CTS, who have plastered Navajo and Moqui base scrip upon much land that is regarded as being of a great CT degree of worth than the lieu pro- vision of the scrip would indicate
 The commission wishes to say that it's examinations show that the supply of highly valuable land in the state has been by no means exhausted by appropriation, nor is there imminent danger Of that occurring. although many settlers are coming into the state and active search for available lands. for speculative and other pur- poses, iS the order of the day. While these newcomers. and particularly that portion of them represented by actual home makers. are settling up and retaining many of the hitherto waste places-a circumstance which of itlelf should occasion congratulations the commission feels confident of it's ability to satisfy the states claims for grant land in a manner fully commensurate with the opportunity afforded.
 With very few exceptions the peo- pie of Arizona exhibit an eagerness that the best lands susceptible of selection by the state. in satisfaction 0f congressional grants. may be SC cured. and the commission has re ceiVed valuable and gratuitous assist anCe in the performance of it's work from many public spirited citizens hut in at least one interested quarter there is no sympathy with the state activities in this regard Reference is made 10 the owners of certain large issues of cheap land scrip. and the brokers engaged in flooding the market with this particular form of evidence of the federal government s unWisdom. A considerable issue of this scrip, known as Navajo Base " has recently been authorized It rep resents. and is issued in lieu of Santa Fe railroad grant lands on the Navajo Indian reservation, and may he applied on any surveyed. unappro- priated. unreserved public lands of the United States within the state of character and value similar to its base. The lands that might be coy cred by this scrip, and other issues are naturally restricted by such se- lectionS as the state may make FOl that reason, the states efforts toward the satisfaction of it's own claims arc not viewed with favor. and unusual activity is being manifested by the Santa Fe land department officials by scrip dealers, and by large pur- chases of scrip for speculative pur- poses. It is a natural and entirely legitimate business activity, which may neither be prohibited nor con- demned but to the extent that il may interfere with the states selec- ton of choice lands it must be mel with equal activity. and enthusiasm.
 The commission deems it the busi- ness and duty of the state to exer. else precautions to prevent the "plas tering" of this scrip on lands of z higher character and value than it. base, and will. if properly equipped 10 do so, take steps looking to suci protection.
 Assuming that fraudulent applica lions of this cheap scrip are not at tempted. or if attempted can be pre- vented. it follows that it's application 10 unappropriated public land within the state will not interfere. to any thing like the extent of it's acreage with the states selections
 Tt is not likely that very grea proportion of the lands susceptible O being so covered will prove to be o sufficient value to have justified SC lection on the states behalf, and i is therefore mainly essential that tn use of the scrip be confined -D it. legitimate sphere"