Lincoln County times. (Jerome, Idaho) 1911-1919, 1915-12-16
LAND BOARD MEETING.
Members of the State Land Board
Hear Grievances from the Set
tiers ON the Tract.

Word was received here on Satur-
day last from Governor Alexander
That he had called session OF the
state Land Board to NEE; at Jerome
on Wednesday morning at II o'clock.
no intimatiOn was given in this an
n0uncement as to the nature of this
meeting, but as II was generally con-
sidered thai IT was for the purpose
OF giving the settlers on the tract an
opportunity 10 appear before the |
board, without the expense of a trip |
to Boise, word was at once sent over
the tract, with the result that at the
hearing held here yesterday, repre-
sentatives were present from every
section OF the tract from Hazleton to |
Bliss
The meeting was called to order by
the Governor at the appointed hour,
members of the board consisting of
Secretary of State Barker, Attorney
General Peterson and Supt of Public
Instruction Miss Mccoy, being pres
ent together with the Governor. State
Auditor Houston was unable to at
tend
The session lasted throughout the
day and was given over to the hear
ing Of statements mostly from those
who had some grievance to offer,
coupled with suggestions that differ
ent ones offered as to the course for
the land board to pursue. 1t would
be impossible for US TO attempt to
give even synopsis or the various
statements as given to the board, but
as a stenographer accompanied the
board, the full proceedings were
carefully recorded and will be con
sidered by the board at their leisure
Suffice it to say, however, that the
statements OF some of those who APP
peared before the board will look
rather ridiculous in print
1t was not our pleasure to attend
the full hearing, but from all re
ports it would appear that there
We're some statements made that
NtAt ali OQl vi ltdoOilf an
others endeavored as best they could
to explain the true conditions as they
appear to the settlers on the tract.
This hearing was brought about
as the result of the report of the ir-
rigation commission as it referred &c
, North Side matters, and the tendency
of the statements made by settler.
was TO substantiate that report. The
company took but very little part il
the hearing and but few witnesse.
were called in their behalf. The mem
bers of the board listened attentivel
, TO the statements made, and als'
took occasion to PROFOUND question
, of various natures to the witnesses
It might be said, however, that tn
sentiments as generally expressed b.
the settlers was strongly against tn
plan to place the tract in the hand
of a receiver The land board ar
to be commended for their action i
. holding a meeting on the tract tina
all might be heard. and If this sam
> policy had been pursued in the pas
former land boards would have ha
a more clear understanding of cor
ditions here and much of the dissat
isfaction that has been prevalent o
:, the tract could have been avoided.
OF course there was no intimatio
from any OF the members of til
y board as to what effect this hearin
might have on their future plans, an
it will probably take some time fC
them to go over the evidence intr'
- duced and discuss II. but whatev'
- may be their course In the future,
cannot be said that the settlers we
% not given an opportunity to be hear