The Alaska citizen., 1916-04-10
LIQUOR DEALING
 IS PROHIBITED
 IN NEW TOWNS
LAND OFFICE MAN ISSUES STATEMENT CONCERNING
 LOT REGULATIONS

There has been considerable con. | troversy over on the coast. partic. ularly at Anchorage. concerning the | rights of purchasers of lots in rail road towns. The question which arises is whether or not the gov ernment may enforce the penalty of forfeiture which is provided for in case the purchasers of the lots use the ground for liquor dealing or several other purposes mentioned in the provisions of the purchasing contract
 In regard to this matter a letter was received by The Citizen on d recent mali from A. Christensen, chief of the field division of the general land office. with headquar- ters at Juneau. Copies of Circular No. 45S, entitled Forfeiture ot Lots Under Alaska Railroad Townsite Regulations" and Alaskan RailroaL Townsite Regulations" approved by the President on June 19, 1915, ac companied the letter which was a. follows:
 Il enclose herewith copy O, the Alaskan Railroad Townsite Reg uations, approved by the Presiden, on June 19. 1915, governing the disposal of townsites along the Gov ernment Raill oad in Alaska, and UT der which the lots at Anchorage were sold dlring the past sumner You will note that under the head ing, Conditions and Forfeitures, the lots sold under these regulations must not be used for the purpose o, manufacturing, selling or otherwise disposing of intoxicating liquors Is a beverage, or for gambling, pros titution or any unlawful purpose before final payment is made, and during a period of five years from the date of the certificate of sale, under penalty of forfeiture of the lot and money paid up to the time of forfeiture.
 Under these regulations, on Jan uary 29, 1916, the Secretary of the Interior forfeited six Anchorage townsite lots because the purchasers had been duly convicted or enteIad plea of guilty to the charge of VIo- lation of Sec. "5S1, Compiled Laws of Alaska, which prohibits the sale of intoxicating liquors without a license.
 Ten other cases are under con sideration wherein the lessee was convicted of the same oifense. Un- der the regulations, ignorance by the purchaser of the acts of hls lessee or others on lots purchased by him is TO defense. However an opportunity will be given the purchaser in these cases ONLY to show that he had no knowledge of
 
 the violations.
 "On February 16, 1916, regulations were promulgated by the Depart ment of the Interior, governing the procedure for the forfeiture of lots under the Alaskan Railroad Town site regulations, Circular No, 45S, and 1 beg that you will publish them, or extracts therefrOm, a. the Commissioner of the General Land Office has indicated that they be made generally known through out Alaska You will note that that where any lot purchaser, or joint purchaser, or successor In ln- terest as transferee, assignee, les see, etc., shall be convicted of an offense which constitutes a viola tion of the Alaskan Railroad Town site Regulations, the Secretary Of the Interior many in his discretion declare forfeiture of the lot in yolved. These regulations will gov ern the procedure in all cases aris- 1 ing after the date of their promulSa tion--February Is, 1916. Copies may be obtained from the Chief of Field Division, General Land Office, Jul neau, Alaska. upon request"