Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1915-08-09
MILLIONS OF ACRES or GOOD
FARM TRACTS GOING TO
WASTE IN FAR WEST.
TO BE MADE AVAILABLE
BY CLEARING TIMBER
Government Adopting New Policy 70
Open Way For Occupancy by Bona
Eide Settlers - Homsstsadsrs Free
quently Sell to Timber Spectators
After Acquiring Title.
Especial Correspondence


Washington, Aug. 9.-That millions
Of acres OF lands which potentially are
good farm lands are now going to waste
in the far west is indicated by state
ment just issued from the forest serv-
ice. This statement is an article by the
chief forester. just published by the de-
partrnent of agriculture. 1t says that
land spectators block settlement OF
large areas and that the western farm
ing problem can be solved by the de-
velopment of logged-off tracts, now
lying idle.
The chief forester says that In the
last decade the forest service has
classified as agricultural and opened to
public entry more than $4,000 individual
scattered tracts of land in the national
forests comprising over 100000 acres.
In the last two years, in addition, sew
eral large blocks have been eliminated.
ting more than 100000 acres.
while nearly 100000 acres more are
now under consideration for elimina-
ton All the remaining agricultural
land in The national forests is confined
chiefly in isolated tracts scattered here
and there: to restricted areas requiring
irrigation, where water can not b. OBJ
tanned: and to certain river bottoms
and benches which are not covered with
very heavy and valuable timber.
Timber Grabbers Busy.
The chief forester says constant
pressure is being brought to bear on
the government by private individuals
who want to acquire possession of these
heavily timbered agricultural lands,
single quarter sections of which often
have a value as high as $4,000 for the
timber alone. In spite of the fact that
some of these lands have soil suitable
for agriculture. to throw them open as
homesteads would not result in farm
development. This has been proven
over and over again where lands Of this
kind, acquired under the homestead law.
are today held not by homesteaders but
by lumber companies, who promptly
purchased them from the settlers as
soon as title passed from the govern
ment-a speculative process which eff
fectively prevents men Of small means
from acquiring land and establishing
homes.
Government WithhoIds Timber.
The government is Withholding from
agricultural entry all such heavily
timbered hand until after the timber Is
cut off. AS soon as this Is done, the
land will be opened to entry and settlers
will be able to acquire 1t directly from
the government without cost. instead Of
having to pay from $40 to $50 an acre
to land spectators. For example, in
the Kaniksu national forest IN Idaho
and Washington. the governments
timber sales have been made to include
much of the remaining timbered agri :
cultural land. Within eight years fully
10, 900 acres will be made available for
sc tlement Permanent homes viii be
established by the settlers, and there
will be available for the use of COM
munities approximately $225.0oo for
roads and schools. their legal share OF
the proceeds from the timber sales.
Private ownership of heavily timbered
agricultural land blocks farming de-
velopment, says the article: govern
ment ownership insures such develop
ment under conditions that give oppor-
tunities to the small settler whose only
capital is his strength and courageous
perseverance.
Serious Problem.
One of the most serious agriculture
1