The Ekalaka eagle., 1916-11-03

One of the biggest landowners in all
the United States, outside of Uncle
Sam himself, is the state Of Montana
The state at this time owns more
than 4.25O,O00 acres and nearly all
pf this vast area is for sale. Since
the state has been in the realty bust
ness it has sold approximately 100000
acres at an average price of $3.50
an acre. Only about II 1-2 per cent
Of the lands has been disposed Of up
to the present time.
1t is the schools that benefit from
the states realty operations. From
the incomes from the school grant
there was distributed to the common
schools last year $4,000, or 1925
for each child. The income for this
year is estimated by Sidney Miller,
state land register, at $7G4 900.
The best sale of state lands in
recent years was held at Fort Benton
on October 13 Of this year, when &c.
600 acres were sold for $642 900, or an
average of $l7.54 an acre. Recently
also $4,000 acres in Fergus county
were sold for $19O,O00. most Of the
land offered being outside of the Ju-
dith Basin proper.
Common Schools Have
Over Sl0,OO0,00O in Fund.
The state land grant fund on Sep
tember l of this year totaled $13, ,103,-
2S5. the cash on hand amounting to
6S.39S.67. In bonds and warrants
$5.551, ,lS3.O5 was invested. The bal
ance of $6,5S3,703.SS was the amount
Of the deferred payments on con
tracts. 1t is estimated that the re-
ceipts from leases alone this year
will total 1857 900. This item totaled
S2S2, 1914 in 1912 and 1926, ,1O5 in 1915.
The receipts from leases therefore
have increased $4,000 in four years,
Of 2612 per cent. OF this land grant
fund. $1O,666,793. is held for the
benefit of the common schools, $556,
1869 for the agricultural college,
$156, ,60420 for the deaf and dumb
asylum. $544, ,522.94 for the school of
mines, $491 ,463.56 for the state nor
NAL school and $499, ,SO695 for the uni
versity. In four years the distribution
to the common schools has increased
7T1a per cent, or from $3.50 to $5.25
per capita. AS the county high
schools do not share in this appor-
tionment, it really amounts to more
than Sc for every child actually en-
rolled in the public schools.
Affords Rare Opportunity
For the Investor.
The state lands offer an unusual
opportunity to investors who do not
desire to reside upon land while ac-
quiring title or do not wish to become
subject to the requirements Of the
homestead laws with the incidental
hardships Of pioneering. These are
classified as grazing, agricultural, tim
ber and coal lands.
By original grant of congress, the
state received sections 16 and 36 in
each township lying outside of ma
tional forests and Indian reservations.
In addition the state has selected for
the benefit of higher institutions of
learning, and owns thousands OF acres
Of other land, all Of which is for sale,
except coal and some timber lands. A
minimum price of $40 an acre is
charged. The land must bring the
appraised price when this exceeds $40
an acre.
The fixing Of sale dates is discre-
tionary with the state board of land
commissioners, which is custodian Of
all state lands, but the law requires
sale to be held in each county at
least once every two years. Sales
are held oftener when the numebr of
the applications warrants.
All sales of state lands are made
at public auction to the highest bid.
der. Notice of sale is published in
the county for four weeks preceding
Those who wish any particular tract
should make formal application fol