Daily capital journal. (Salem, Oregon) 1903-1919, 1915-12-02
THE LAND GRANT CONFERENCE

Just what the meeting now in progress between the
state officials, members OF the committee OF the recent
land grant conference and Southern Pacific representa-
tives hopes to accomplish is past all finding out 1t was
stated that the railroad representatives attended the
meeting clothed with full authority to treat finally with
the committee relative to the final disposition OF the D.
& G. lands.
can any agreement be reached that will have any effect in
settling the matter which is entirely within the hands OF
congress?
Neither the state officials nor the committee can make
any arrangement that is binding on anyone other than
TO agree with the railroad representatives on something
that would satisfy both but with this remote possibility
even should it be done, what has been gained?
AS the matter stands the supreme court has declded
that the lands belong to the Southern Pacific IN lee SIM
pe That company under present laws can sell the lands
at $3.50 an acre and more and not more than LOU acres
to one person 1t do this or 1T can refuse TO Go IT, IL
ft feels like it, for the court said it could take its own time
about selling This being the case the railroad can make
its terms so long as it is willing to pay taxes on tne
lands.
So far as congress paying any attention to what ar
rangement is made it might as well not be done; Tor
about all that can be done to fix some terms on when
the lands be sod and If these do not suit the raroad
what can congress do about it? Congress is pretty big
and powerful body but there are some things 1t cannot
do and one of these is to take the lands in question away
FROM the railroad company without paying for them and
il it pays for them it will either place them In forest re-
serve make arrangement Tor selling them dIIer-
ent from what is now proposed.
1t is suggested that congress compel the company to
sell the lands according to the terms OF the grant, that is
at $3.50 an acre. but this is just what the supreme court
has said congress cannot o for has held the grant was
n praesent" and the title absolute in the railroad
company We nearly all think out here that the railroad
company has forfeited all rights to the land-but the
court holds differently.
1t is conceded that the conference is well intended but
SO perhaps is Henry Fords peace movement and 1t will
probably accomplish just about as definite results as the
latter
When the congressman from east of the Mississippi
get through with the business and the conservaonsts
have their inning what Oregon needs or wants will not
have cut any perceptibe amount of ice.
About all it seems possible to do is to keep on levyng
taxes on the lands while can, and when we can't KISS
them goodbye with cheerful and kindly recollection OF
what they have done for in the way of taxes while we
had them with us.
1t might be added that the proposition to cut the TIM
her off the lands and then sell them for agricultural pu
poses while it looks nice in print and has musical sound,
is impractical AS matter Of fact the value Of the tim
ber on given tract of land would just about pay for
clearing it. and while this would give the purchaser the
land cleared that if the timber could be applied for TINS
purpose it must be remembered that poor man cannot
undertake the job He would stave to death dozen
times while getting enough land cleared to support hin
self Congress has tough job on its hands in untangng
the snar and conferences and agreements made by others
will have little bearing on the final result.
tt E estimated that every newspaper has five readers.